Also known as: Tillsonburg Grave Yard
Established: 18380101
Status: Inactive
Region: Canada, Ontario, Southwestern Ontario
Denomination: Non-denominational
Website: https://www.tillsonburg.ca/living-here/cemetery/pioneer-cemetery/
Location: Latitude 42.85972, Longitude -80.71533 (View on Google Maps)
The Pioneer Cemetery is one of the oldest cemeteries in the Tillsonburg area.
Many of Tillsonburg’s earliest settlers, including members of the Tillson family, are buried there.
The cemetery was established in 1838 and closed in 1870. Only open for 32 years
A total restoration of the one-acre site was completed in 2015. Restoration work included monument cleaning and the addition of a large index stone.
Local historians have done extensive research into the individuals and families buried in the cemetery.
To learn more about pioneer graveyard tours and events at the cemetery, contact Annandale National Historic Site.
I was in charge of Tillsonburg’s Pioneer Graveyard restoration. It was done mostly by super volunteers scrubbing stones and fundraising, including the Tillsonburg Historical Society and the Town.
We had the graveyard dowsed discovering there would have been about 1500 graves. We had about 120 pieces of tombstones but I found close to 400 names we believe were in the graveyard. It took about 5 years to complete physically and I am still researching the people.
The hardest part was trying to find out what the best way to save the tombstones no experts agreed. We decided most importantly was getting the information from the stones and standing them up again. The large black monument, was a big expense but now people can find who is in there and where to get more information.
We formed the Tillsonburg Pioneer Performing Troupe and have costumed people telling the stories of our original founders and pioneers.
Laurel A. Beechey Feb 21 2021
Status: Inactive
Intersection: Cedar St. and Simcoe St.
Address: 13 Cedar St, Tillsonburg, ON N4G 2H6
GPS: 42.85972 -80.71533
