A new headstone for John C.K. McGill has been placed in the Old Tremont Cemetery. Photo by ContributedArticle contentRemembrance Day had an extra special meaning this year.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle contentThere is a new, old headstone in the Old Tremont Cemetery. Standing tall between family members, it proudly bears a name that was once thought to be lost to history: John C.K. McGill.Article contentArticle contentWhile he was not a veteran, his original headstone had deteriorated with time to the point it was unreadable. When the Tremont Community Cemetery Society (TCCS) took over the care of the Tremont cemeteries, with lost paper records of the Old Tremont Cemetery, the only information available as to the identity of the lot occupant was hand-carved initials on a footstone and a common surname on headstones on either side.Article contentArticle content The old headstone for John C.K. McGill in the Old Tremont Cemetery had deteriorated. Photo by ContributedArticle contentThere is an old saying, “It takes a village,” and it was a Canada-wide village that helped solve this mystery in the Old Tremont Cemetery this past spring. It all started with a message from a medium in British Columbia, passed onto the record keeper from Nova Scotia, who connected with a genealogist in Ontario whose family tree research helped confirmed John McGill’s identity in Tremont.Article contentWhile the name was officially added to the Old Tremont Cemetery records (new paper records derived from headstone compilations and obituaries, newly created electronic records and Findagrave.com records), it was felt more was needed to ensure his identity remained intact for generations yet to come.Article contentThe Nova Scotian village continued to provide.Article contentThere was an ‘extra stone’ from the 1800s in the Old Tremont Cemetery. It originally belonged to the late John Edward Pearson, who died in 1865. This headstone was later replaced by the family with a pillar headstone with multiple family names, including John Pearson’s, and the family had tucked away the original.Article contentArticle content An ‘extra stone’ from the 1800s in the Old Tremont Cemetery was recently repurposed. Photo by ContributedArticle contentYears later, at an estate sale, contents of a shed were auctioned off and won by the late Mark Gertridge. Upon discovering the headstone, Gertridge decided to donate it back to the cemetery. When the members of TCCS solved the first mystery of an extra stone, it was properly stored away and occasionally used as a display item at family history events.Article contentBut now there was a new purpose for it.Article contentAfter reaching out with the story and the idea to repurpose the headstone, the team of professionals at the head office of DeMone Monuments in Lunenburg were honoured to assist.Article contentThe marble stone was refaced carefully by hand, preserving all of the original hand-carved details and then their artisans carved John McGill’s name and dates (1854-1877) onto it. This work was done at no cost to the cemetery society.Article content“Twice a year the veil grows thin, on Beltain and Samhain. These are the times between the worlds when we light a candle and guide our ancestors on their way.” – unknownArticle contentThis mystery journey began in May (Beltain) and concluded in November (Samhain).Article contentJohn C.K. McGill’s new headstone now stands tall between his family members. He can rest easy and he will be remembered.Article contentArticle contentCompiled by Pam Muise, secretary of the Tremont Community Cemetery Society.Article content
Headstone replaced at Old Tremont Cemetery
