Additional Info:
The first burial in what is now Canton Cemetery, across the road from an original Bible Christian church, was that of Susan Hawkins, who died April 25, 1811, of smallpox. Following this, a son Daniel was buried in Feb 1813, a grandson Azel, Oct 20, 1819, and Evalina Hawkins Feb 28, 1833.
Apparently James Hawkins mistakenly buried his wife just off his property on the west boundary of his farm on land owned by Dr. L.B. Powers. On April 15, 1837, James acquired 1 1/4 acres
from Dr. Powers, which contained the existing graves and all of the land that is now Canton Cemetery.
On Dec 23, 1837 negotiations began to sell the land to the Wesleyan Methodist Church. James Hawkins died July 18, 1841 and was buried beside Susan. The land transfer was completed May
26, 1843 by his son James. This sale, for "eight pounds of lawful money", included land for "Hope Chapel, a church and meeting house as well as the cemetery.
On Oct 31, 1931, the cemetery deed was transferred from the United Church of Canada to the Canton Cemetery Trust for one dollar.
On Nov 12, 1989, a parcel of land approximately 1 1/4 acre was purchased on the east side of the cemetery to allow for expansion and the first two sections to be ready in late 1995.
There are many burials with records gone, some broken stones and some effaced so inscriptions are not complete. Perpetuity money is invested with a trust company and caretaking paid revenue. Each year some work is done raising stones and improving the grounds.
Cemetery recorded and checked on July 2lst 1976 by Mrs.E. Barrowclough, Mrs. Evelyn Wilson, Mr.Cecil Moore and his wife, Jean Hawkins Moore and on July 26th, l976: Mrs. E. Barrowclough, Mrs. M. Langdon, and Mr. and Mrs.Cecil Moore. Records were updated and checked, July,1996 by John Smith and Ron Smith and
revised, Nov 22,1996 by John Smith. This cemetery was photographed and updated in May 2020 by Ron Smith.
