November 14, 2009:
The Auld Kirk at Almonte in 1905
Picture Source: Lanark Legacy by Harold Morton Brown, page 35


 ... and in 2009

Memorial outside the Auld Kirk


Keywords: John Mitchell, Drummond Township, Beckwith Township
John Lockhart, Senior
from Lanark, Scotland on the Earl of Buckinghamshire in 1821 *
* Source: The Lanark Society Settlers by Carol Bennett, page 151
photos by Al Lewis


May 8, 2003:
 
G'day

   I'm Gary J Byron , past President and the current  WebMaster of the Lanark County Genealogical Society.   

I'm currently working on the recording and publishing an updated version 
of the Auld Kirk Cemetery Book.

I'm looking for:
   1) Information on people who are known to be buried, but are not 
listed on any stone.
   2) Plus I'm looking for any Death or Obituary notices on anyone 
buried in the Auld Kirk Cemetery.

Can You Help Me Out?

Gary J Byron
       past President and Webmaster
       Lanark County Genealogical Society
August 13, 2004:
Dear Mr. Lewis,

I would like to know where I can access an index of the persons 
buried in the Auld Kirk Cemetery. I would like to know if any 
McQuarries are buried there. (specifically, a John McQuarrie)

Sincerely,
Nic Maennling
______________________

also posted on August 13, 2004:
The Lanark Society Settlers by Carol Bennett, on page 115
gives information on the family of Neil McQuarrie and Flora McFarlane who came to
Ramsay Township in 1821. Neil, Flora and their son John are buried in the Auld Kirk 
Cemetery. (see posting dated November 14, 2005 ... Al)
... Al
January 3, 2005:
Al Lewis wrote:

Good Morning Gary: 
Thanks for including me in a copy of your e-mail to Nic. 
Do you mind if I include a couple of your obituaries on my Auld Kirk 
page at Bytown or Bust?
 
It will let people know what kind of useful work you are doing, 
and what you are looking for.
 
Thanks, 
... Al Lewis
_________________________
also posted on January 5, 2005:

G'day Al

    Thank you for your offer, Please find below three Obits that have an Ottawa 
    connection.

When I started this project of gathering together all the Obits of all the people 
that are buried in the Auld Kirk little did I know, the size and scope of the project.
    For I thought, at that time, it would be nice to have "a" book of Obits to 
    go along with the inscription book.
    I've just published, the 3rd part of the Obituaries, 
    Wrapping up the 4th part and started the research and gathering for the 5th 
    part of what now looks like at least a book series of 7 parts. The collection 
    when it's finished, will be an interesting read of the people and history 
    of  Almonte.

    Another interesting fact that I did not expect was the number of people 
    buried in the Auld Kirk that never managed to have a stone put over 
    their grave. That percentage is currently running at approx. 12% . 
    The most of these people are "found" because I'm going through the 
    newspaper-of-record for this cemetery. The Almonte Gazette, year by year, 
    page by page. 140 years of reading

    But, I'm also finding, that a select few, of the people buried in the 
    Auld Kirk that do have a stone, never managed to get any type of notice 
    within The Almonte Gazette.
    The main reason for this is; that they lived outside the Almonte Area and 
    did not have any living relatives that did. Therefore, no local interest, 
    thus no coverage.

    It is with the help of my fellow Lanark Families Researchers that I have 
    found and hope to continue to find some type of notice for these "Strays" 
    in other papers within Eastern Ontario.

My Quest is:
         For any information, and leads, on the People who are buried in 
         the Auld Kirk Cemetery, near Almonte. Nothing is too small.

yours
        Gary J Byron
                Wedmaster, Lanark County Genealogical Society

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

1873, Friday May 30            STONE 256
    The Almonte Gazette        page 2
        Obituary
    It is our mournful duty to chronicle the death of an estimable and much 
    respected resident -- Mrs Wylie, relict of Hon James Wylie. The deceased 
    lady met with an accident some weeks ago, and although every effort was 
    made to relieve her pain and prolong her days she unfortunately succumbed 
    to its effects. But for this accident, her naturally robust constitution 
    led to a belief that she might have be spared to her friends or many years 
    yet. She was a native of Paisley, Scotland, and was born in 1790, her 
    maiden name being Miss Hamilton. Marrying Mr Wylie, she accompanied him 
    to Canada about the year 1827. He husband being employed for some years 
    in connection with the construction of the Rideau Canal between Kingston and 
    Ottawa, and on its completion in 1830 he with his family settled in the 
    Township of Ramsay. Here he resided and engaged in mercantile pursuits 
    until his death in 1854. In 1848 he was called by Her Majesty to the 
    Legislative council of the Province of Canada. The offspring of the 
    union are numerous and some of them and their descendants are occupying 
    positions of high standing in Canada and Scotland. Mrs Wylie was a fine 
    type of the old Scotch lady, and united with intellectual accomplishment 
    of a high order, that tact and frankness of manner which endeared her 
    alike to rich and poor, educated and uneducated.

1887, Friday September 2        VIRTUAL STONE 2306
    The Almonte Gazette        front page
        One More Gone
    On Wednesday of last week Mr Michael Curry, father of our townsman, 
    Mr Matthew Curry, died in Ottawa, at the age of 85 years. He was one of 
    pioneer settlers of Carleton County, and was called upon to endure even 
    more than the usual amount of suffering and privation which fell to the 
    lot of those who undertook the task of making homes for themselves in 
    this country He was born in Leeds, England, when the present century was 
    in its infancy, and came to this country quite a young man. For some years 
    he acted as local preacher in the district surrounding Ottawa, and was the 
    first Methodist layman who preached in Bytown. He afterwards settled at 
    Long Island, on the Rideau, where he lived for a number of years, a much 
    respected and honoured resident. In his younger days he had given some 
    attention to the study of medicine, and was frequently called upon to 
    minister to the physical ailments of his neighbours, a task which, as well 
    as any other that was for their well-being, he was always willing to perform. 
    His funeral was a very large one.

1899, Friday May 12            STONE 747
    The Almonte Gazette        page 8
        The Late Thomas T. Burns
    The Herald says: Just as the clock indicated the hour of midnight last 
    night, Mr Thomas Burns, of Ramsay, passed quietly away from this scene 
    of strife, after a prolonged illness of several months, deceased being a 
    victim to heart affection. He was a son of the late William Burns, 
    who came out from Ireland in 1842, first settling in Gloucester township, 
    then a forest, his nearest neighbour being five miles distant. A year 
    later he removed to Bytown (now Ottawa), where he spent five years, then 
    came to Ramsay, settling on the farm now owned by his son William, on the 
    5 concession. The father died in the early 60's and the mother in 70, and 
    left four sons, John, Thomas, William and Samuel, and one daughter, Mrs 
    Hugh Hasty. John died in 1877. Thomas, the subject of this notice, served 
    his apprenticeship as carder with the late Allan McDonald, of Carleton Place, 
	afterwards working with Samuel Reid and William Paisley. He later on went 
    to Pakenham and went to farming, which occupation he followed until his 
    death, making for himself a comfortable home in Ramsay, where he died. 
    He married Cecelia Waddell, daughter of the late James Waddell, and the 
    union was blessed with three daughters, Mrs James Bowes, and Miss Sarah and 
    Mary at home. Mr Burns was a man of strong religious convictions and 
    seldom took part in any public question. He was much esteemed by his friends 
    and neighbours and his sudden death is deeply regretted. He was a member 
    of the Reformed Presbyterian church. The funeral took place to the 8th 
    line cemetery, Ramsay, and was largely attended. 

January 8, 2004:
Diane Moorhead has contributed some info to Gary regarding persons interred in the
Auld Kirk Cemetery. Here's an excerpt from one:

Hi Gary 
You were asking for information on those buried in the Auld Kirk Cemetery.  
Some from my family tree are buried there. 
Clayton Moorhead  (Aunt Retta is also buried there, I do not have a copy 
of her obituary)
Here's a "revised" edition of CB's obit which will appear in the Arnprior Chronicle:
 
MOORHEAD, Clayton Basil
April 25, 1911 ~ May 23, 2002
 
Veteran of W.W.II R.C.A.F. 
(Retired Royal Canadian Mint)
 
Peacefully at Forest Hill Nursing Home, Kanata on Thursday, May 23, 2002 
at age 91.  Clayton Basil Moorhead, beloved husband of the late
Retta Stanley and by first marriage of Georgina Marshall.  Predeceased by his 
sisters Bessie Fulford and Joy McCooey and his four brothers Ellsworth, 
Gerald, Willard and Athol.  The funeral service was conducted by Rev. Brian
Jarvis and was held in the Chapel of the Kerry Funeral Home in Almonte 
on Monday, May 27, 2002. Internment was in Auld Kirk Cemetery, Almonte. 
Donations made in memory of Clayton to the Ontario Heart and Stroke 
Foundation would be appreciated by the family.

Another one of ours is:  I do not have an obituary for her.
 
Ellen Jane McLellan wife of William John Moorhead. (Moorhead Drive next to Fitzroy Provincial Park).
 
Here is the info I have on Ellen Jane McLellan, her husband is buried in 
the Lowry Cemetery.
 
Lowry Presbyterian Church, Carleton District Presbyterian Records 
Marriages: 11 Mar 1891 William John Moorhead of Huntley Township and 
Ellen Jane McLellan of Ramsay
1891
...................................................
Ontario Archives GS 932 Reel #71 Registration # 006421- 1891
 
SCHEDULE B MARRIAGES
County of Lanark  Township of Ramsay
 
006421
His Name: William John Moorhead
Age: 28 years
Residence when married: Huntley
Place of Birth: Huntley
Bachelor or Widower:  B
(B or W)
Rank or Profession  Farmer
Name of Parents: Mary Donaldson
                            Stephen Moorhead
Her Name:  Ellen Jane McLellan
Age: 28
Residence when married: Ramsay
Place of Birth:Ramsay
Spinster or Widow: S
(S or W)
Name of Parents: Mary Rath
                             Robert McLellan
Name and Residence 
of Witnesses: John James Lowry, Fitzroy
                       Georgie Wilson, March Township
                       Annie McLellan, Ramsay
Date and place of Marriage: 18 Mar 1891
                                             Ramsay
Religious  Denomination of Bridegroom: Presbyterian
Religious denomination of Bride:  Do
By Whom married: John McLaren (from McLaren's Landing ?)
........................
Lowry Presbyterian Church, Carleton District Presbyterian Records 
Baptisms: 11 Sept 1892 Clarence Whitfield Moorhead son of William Moorhead 
and Ellen Jane McLelland born 19 Jan 1892

Diane's e-mail address is: diane.moorhead@sympatico.ca
She is researching numerous other surnames.

November 1, 2005:
Hello Gary & others:
I am researching the Rea / Rae family. My great great grandfather was Hugh Rea 
b. abt 1824. His sister Sarah m. Andrew Wilson. She was born in Ramsay Township, 
Lanark County. 
 
From a book on the History of Blanshard [Perth County] in Review:  "Andrew Rea Sr came 
from Ireland and settled in Perth in Carleton County in Eastern Ontario... James Rea 
and Hugh Rea, his sons came west to Blanshard..."
 
There is a record in Land Book M pg 272 Petition Perth 62 for Rae, Andrew, 
emigrant Ramsay Twp. 2 Mar 1825. 
 
I am wondering if you would have any cemetery record for Andrew Rea/Rae.
 
Barb Byers Bradley
barglen@sasktel.net
November 15, 2005:

Dear Mr. Lewis,
 
It was Flora McFarlane, not "Sarah" who is buried with her husband, 
Neil McQuarrie, in the Auld Kirk Cemetery.
 
I was the person who submitted the information about the McQuarrie family to Carol 
Bennett for her book on the Lanark Society Settlers.
 
Hope you can amend this information on the web site.  It's in the section about 
Auld Kirk Church and Cemetery.
 
Thanks, 
Linda Lowrey
(changed name Sarah to Flora in posting above, dated August 13, 2004 ... Al).

May 13, 2006:

I came across your website and thought I would contribute the following funeral 
notices I discovered for my grandparents and aunt. 
 
"Died in Ramsay, Saturday, February 18, 1928 Henrietta Watson beloved wife of William 
Waddell Anderson, age 73 years. The funeral will take place from her husband's 
residence, 8th Line Ramsay, on Monday February 20, 1928 at 2:30, to vault at the 
Auld Kirk Cemetery."
 
"Died at the Rosamond Memorial Hospital, Almonte, on Thursday, February 15, 1940, 
William W. Anderson in his 81st year. The funeral will take place on Saturday, 
February 17, 1940 at 2:30 p.m. from the residence of his son, William J. Anderson, 
9th Line of Ramsay, to the Auld Kirk Cemetery.
 
"At the Rosamond Memorial Hospital, Almonte, on Thursday, Dec.11th, 1952, Edith Jeanie 
Robertson, beloved wife of William J. Anderson in her 64th year. Resting at the Scott 
Funeral Home, Elgin St., Almonte, until Saturday, Dec. 13th, at 2:30 p.m. Service at 
the Funeral Home. Interment in the Auld Kirk Cemetery."
 
Edith's husband, Bill Anderson, is buried there as well. He died Feb 1983. His son, Robert 
Anderson, of 9th Line Ramsay, died in January of 1983, buried in Auld Kirk Cemetery.

My grandmother, Harriet Anderson, was a Watson from Scotchbush, Grattan Township (in Renfrew County). 
 
Submitted by Beverley Stiller (nee Anderson)

May 6, 2009:

The Kirk is open for only the one Sunday in mid August for Decoration Sunday and even then 
the Memorial Service is held outside.

    Only once in the last while, that I know of, that this service was held inside because 
	it was raining.

    For as far as I know there has been no regular service in the Kirk for decades beside 
	the inside is quite plain with some old fashion benches. I've attached some photos of 
	the inside of the Kirk.

You can contact the following people in connection with the Cemetery and its Kirk

Chairman of the Auld Kirk Cemetery Committee:    Alan Lowry,    Pelow@trytel.com,    

Almonte United Church
Church Office:  Cynthia Nichols (Secretary)   office@almonteunited.com 
Office Hours: 9am -12pm Noon, Monday to Friday
Address: 106 Elgin Street Almonte, Ontario K0A 1A0
TEL: (613) 256-1355
FAX: (613) 256-0909

I hope this helps you

Yours
    Gary J Byron






Thanks to Gary for the following two photos from inside the church.






May 23, 2009:

Linda Hanly Reid has written a short biography of her Great Grandfather, Dr. John Frederick HANLY,
who was an early physician and surgeon in Almonte.

Doctor John Frederick HANLY of Almonte






September 11, 2010:

The farm of James Leach, Montague Township, Ontario, Canada, in 1902
Picture Source: Lanark Legacy by Harold Morton Brown, page 119


April 19, 2011:

Hi there….

I did a story a few years ago about my mother and she is buried in the Auld kirk Cemetery. I can email you a 
copy if you would like.  Anyhow I go back every now and then to visit the grave…..My Aunt and Uncle are also 
there and my grandparents.  I was 4 years old when my mother was killed in a car accident and I spent a 
great deal of childhood worry as to where she was buried.  When I eventually found out where she was all 
these years and visited  the grave….I was so shocked and happy…The grave yard is so beautiful….Thank you…

P.S.  Because I love grave yards so much I am going to work on one in our community now and so I would like 
to correspond with someone that could help me with some information. 

Have a wonderful day.   

Nancy Roy


December 29, 2011:

I am researching my family and I have read that my great great great grandfather John Cobb was buried in Auld Kirk Cemetery 
in 1829 but I cannot seem to find the gravestone on any sites that have pictures.  Do you know where I could find such a picture?  
 
John came with his family from Scotland in 1821 as a Lanark Society Settler and settled in Ramsay Township.  I do notice that the 
church was built in 1836 which would be after John died which poses a bit of a problem.
 
I would appreciate any help you can give me.
 
Sincerely,
Dorcas Douglas
________________________________

The family of John Cobb came on the ship Commerce in 1821. There is some information regarding this family in
Carol Bennett's book, The Lanark Society Settlers, page 192.  
... Al


 January 29, 2013:

A Cemetery Transcription of the burials for the Auld Kirk Cemetery is available for research in the Library of the
Ottawa Branch of the Ontario Genealogical Society.
... Al

Bytown or Bust is also on