The Pioneer Cemetery, with its new gate, sign and concrete pad, along with guided tours and restored gravestones have become a source of pride for the town, citizens and visitors to the cemetery.
But as for the approximately 80 deceased who have their final resting place in the cemetery – at least 12 of whom were Ship Hector passengers in 1773 – only fragments about their lives are known.
That’s why MacKenzie and Macdonald are hoping the general public can search their old albums, steamer trunks and attics for any information, photos or paintings of those who call the Pioneer Cemetery their final home.
“We both came up with the idea to gather and then put all the information on these people into a book,” said Macdonald. “The cemetery was used for 100 years and most buried there were primarily Scottish highland settlers.”
Members of the Pictou County Roots Society are already on the case, conducting research. According to Macdonald, there hasn’t been a publication solely devoted to the Pioneer Cemetery.
“While there have been passing references or chapters in other publications, there has been nothing amassed in one book.”
What is known so far about those buried there are that their stories are unique and occasionally exciting or unusual.
One man laid to rest, John McKenzie, died at sea while en route to New Glasgow from Liverpool, England, in 1845. His brother George, the ship’s captain, was determined to take his brother’s body back to New Glasgow for a proper Christian burial despite being nearly a month away from Nova Scotia. He ordered the ship’s carpenter to build a coffin lined with lead and John’s body was placed inside, embalmed with rum.
The headstones also recall the loss of life at a young age. James Thompson, 7, drowned while swimming in the East River in 1846 while George Graham, 6, drowned after falling through the New Glasgow bridge in 1848.
The love of home and native land necessitated travel from near and far to be buried at the Pioneer Cemetery. John Walker, 37, died of consumption in San Francisco in 1863. The body was embalmed and transported by train to New York State and then by sailing vessel to Pictou County.
One of the only related photographs known is of an oil painting of James Carmichael.
“We want people to know that Philip and I are collaborating on this book,” said Macdonald. “It’s important to preserve this part of our history.”
He emphasized that the restoration to the Pioneer Cemetery wouldn’t be possible without the leadership of Murray Biggar, Bob Spurgeon and Philip MacKenzie. The Friends of the Pioneer Cemetery committee is remains active assisting in the site’s restoration and promotion.
Those with information or photos can contact Macdonald or MacKenzie at 755-4738 or 752-0997.
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FACTBOX: LAID TO REST
Last names at the Pioneer Cemetery: Auld, Cameron, Campbell, Carmichael, Chisholm, Copland, Dempster, Duff, Forbes, Fraser, Grant, Mason, McDonald, McGregor, McIntosh, McKay, Mckay, McKenzie, McLean, McLeland, McPherson, Matheson, Murray, Rankin, Robertson, Weir, Wier, Walker
First burial: 1792 – Margaret Fraser
Last burial: 1880 – Allan Wier
