A memorial plaque and stone has been installed at St. Peter’s Cemetery in Peterborough to mark the spot of a mass grave that contains the remains of Peter Robinson settlers and descendants.
The installation of the plaque and stone in the cemetery on the north side of Lansdowne Street between Monaghan Road and High Street was announced on Friday (August 8) by the board of directors of Nine Ships 1825, an non-profit organization that has been organizing and supporting events related to the bicentennial of the arrival of thousands of Irish settlers to the region.
The remains were originally moved to a portion of Little Lake Cemetery called St. Mary’s that the Roman Catholic parish purchased when Peterborough Burial Ground — Peterborough’s first cemetery, located where Confederation Park now stands — was closed. When St. Peter’s Cemetery opened in 1859, the remains were moved there but placed in a mass grave as they could not be identified.
“At the time that they were moved, no family came forward to identify them and ensure that they had their own plot and headstone,” says Nine Ships 1825 board member Maureen Crowle in a media release. “Finally, they have the recognition they deserve with this beautiful fieldstone and plaque.”
The plaque reads: “This fieldstone stands in silent tribute to the courage and hard work of the Irish settlers who made this community their new home. They hoped to build a promising future for their families and those who would follow. Their remains were formerly interred in the Peterborough Burial Ground, now Confederation Park. May they rest in peace here, beside their Scottish and English friends, knowing that their incredible legacy has been fulfilled.”
According to Nine Ships 1825, Aaron Robitaille designed the plaque, which was created by Shaun Milne Signs and installed by St. Peter’s Cemetery caretaker Bill Carroll. Paul Leahy Excavating and Brodie Leahy provided and moved the stone to St. Peter’s Cemetery.
The memorial plaque and stone will be included as a stop on a walking tour called “Beyond the Ships Lists’: The Peter Robinson Settlers and their Descendants” that takes place at the cemetery at 1 p.m. on Sunday (August 10).
Presented by Trent Valley Archives in partnership with Nine Ships 1825, Gillian Holden and Maddie More will tell the stories of some of the Peter Robinson emigrants who came to the area in 1825 and explore the impact they and their descendants have had on the community. Tickets for the tour cost $20 and a few are still available at eventbrite.ca/e/1297584302579.
For more information on the Peter Robinson Irish Emigration Bicentennial, visit nineships1825.com.
