home > "Hamilton Firsts": Walking Tours of Hamilton Cemetery

Hamilton Cemetery Tours
Guilded Walking Tours with Historical Perceptions
By Daniel Cumerlato

Let me start off by stating, "This is not a ghost tour". This is a time-portal into the past lives of Hamilton's, and some of the world's, most influential figures.

Many interested tour-goes gather at the gate in front of Hamilton's only historic gothic style cemetery building. See article on Gothic Cemetery building. Today, myself along with a gaggle of history lovers are going to be treated to a personal tour of Canada's oldest municipally owned cemetery. A rare service in a world dominated by money making projects in which everyone is out to make their millions. All they ask is for a small donation, 100% of which goes directly to the upkeep and protection of the cemetery.

The biggest problem at hand in the cemetery is vandalism; it has been rampant here lately. Our tour guide Robin McKee informed me of the most recent break-in done to the beautiful Stinson Mausoleum (for directions click here) . Added to this is the breaking of a historic stain-glass window on the Sanford Crypt, not to mention countless other defacing on graves throughout the entire cemetery. These facts sicken me as a history buff and as a human being.

Pondering about all of the history that is being destroyed with mindless acts of drunkenness. Carefully crafted art that was made with pride for an important person to our past and preset, ruined because of an angry, alcohol infested child. Age doesn't matter, as any person who would do such a thing is a child.

We start walking…

As a caterpillar climbs a tree beside me, saved from the shoes of clumsy feet thanks to a Good Samaritan, our tour guides get ready to start what will prove to be an adventure. Surrounding me are over 40 history loving, brave souls ready to spend the next two hours in this blazing heat to hear about some of the people who made Hamilton's past and built it up for the future.

These historic family plots main focal point was the monument made for the father or highest figure, surround it were smaller stones belonging to our family members. The tour consisted of many family plots made up this way, save the mausoleums and crypts that house the coffins in above ground walls. One excellent exception is the Land family vault that starts above ground in a miniature cathedral shaped building. A narrow row of stairs lead you down into the darkness of the crypt where approximately seventeen coffins line the walls of this room and into the ground that form a hill around the entrance. Unfortunately we couldn't see this in person, but Robin's description was very vivid. Either way, I'm not sure embarking down those stairs would be a good idea. There could be spiders.

I have decided to include some of the histories learned from the expansive knowledge of our tour guides. This only touches upon a few of the sites, as the whole tour would not fit in a standard Haunted Hamilton article. The best way to get the complete tour is to take it. Did I mention it was free?

1. George Hamilton Monument:

Location: Just east of the Cemetery building.
Characteristics: Large gray marble gravestone, modern, will a large ball on top of the centre point.

A bit about the man:
The founder of Hamilton, traveled up from Queenston (Niagara region). Arrived in the Barton Township late 19th century. He started a business with James Durand and Nathaniel Hughson to transform this crossroads town into a city. All three men were ready to give up portions of their land if the government agreed to build a Courthouse, therefore sealing the future of this city and its downtown core.

Other interesting facts include:
- Some of the main streets in downtown were named after George Hamilton's family members. These include John, James, Hunter, Augusta and Hannah Streets.
- The original Hamilton family farm was located at the most south point of John street, just before heading up the Jolley cut. In fact, the land on which the house and family graveyard on stood was cleared for the Cut to be built. All bodies from the family graveyard were transferred to the Hamilton Cemetery and buried in this spot.

2. James Gage's vandalized above ground crypt:

Location: South-East of the Hamilton family plot, just across the road.
Characteristics: Above ground crypt, made of limestone with moss forming on the cracked lid (thanks to vandals).

A bit about the man:
James Gage built the famous Battlefield house in Stoney Creek. A soldier in the War of 1812, he was captured by the Americans who imprisoned his family in the basement of the house and set up camp on the grounds. This would be the setting of a Paul Revere style event, and the most famous story of the War of 1812, as Billy Green would ride out of Stoney Creek up to Burlington Heights (were the cemetery is now located). He informed the British soldiers camping on this land of the Americans in Stoney Creek. They would assemble and march for a night attack that would lead to a battle considered to be one of the main turning points of the War.

Other interesting facts include:
- James Gage built the Battlefield house and is not to be confused with his uncle William. William Gage built the Gage house, current used as a Children's Museum in Gage Park.

3. Our tour guides stopped to point out the fact that the Cemetery is also home to some of the best gravestone art in Canada. It's obvious that not all of the stones can be featured in the tour, so stay alert of your surrounding as you may come across unique artistic carvings. See pictorial of the Hamilton Cemetery by Kyla McCall: http://www.hauntedhamilton.com/media_photos_submitted_4.html

4. The Hoodless Monument:

Location: East of Gage crypt.
Characteristics: Tall and modern clay colored marble stone that ends in a point.

A bit about the woman:
The monument states the name of Joseph Hoodless, and upon further inspection, does not display the name of Adelaide Hoodless, a lady famous for her leadership in the early woman's movement. One tour member mentions the location of a monument to this famous lady, but we are unable to locate it this day.

After being struck by tragedy when her infant child dies drinking non-pasteurized milk, Adelaide doesn't stop at accepting this tragedy. She starts something that would end up being the beginning of a movement to teach women best practices in raising and keeping their family. She would coordinate many speaking engagements, as well as setting up classes at the historical YWCA. Her dedication continued until her death, from exhaustion while delivering a speech in 1910.

"We will be the greatest & strongest group of young women ever formed. I mean of women, by women & for women." Adelaide Hoodless, President, YWCA of Canada, 1893

 

Some of the other historic figures you will learn about include:

Issac Buchanan - Famous merchant in Hamilton. Built the Auchmar house at West 5th and Fennell. Currently being used to film a new Harry Potter-type television show.

 

William Case - Hamilton's first doctor who's home became the first hospital. He used to ride on horseback to the early pioneers for house calls, sometimes accepting produce as payment.

The Land Family - Considered being the first family to arrive at the Head of the Lake. Subject of the book:
If Ponies Rode Men: The Journeys of Robert Land, 1777-1791:
The View from the other side of the American Revolution.
- By: James Elliott

The book discusses the life of Robert Land, and his journey from Pennsylvania to Canada after being accused of treason and sentenced to death.

One part of the cemetery seemed barren of gravestones. This field of grass is not open land; it is the site of a mass grave for victims of The Spanish Influenza Epidemic back in 1918-1919.

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Further Company and tour information:

Robin McKee of Historical Perceptions
Phone: 905-544-9559
Web: www.hamiltonhistory.ca
Email: historical-perceptions@hotmail.com

All tour-goers are to gather in front of the historic cemetery at the main entrance. Parking is free and is available in the parking lot and along side the cemetery roads.

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