CEMETERIES & GRAVESTONES
A gravestone for Mary Getcheus who died on 17 November 1785 is one of the oldest in Nova Scotia if not Canada for a female Loyalist. It is located in the graveyard at Trinity Anglican Church in Digby, a national historic site which holds the graves of over 200 United Empire Loyalists. Jacob Getcheus, wife of Mary, was Captain of the Sloop Silas, one of four ships mentioned in the Book of Negroes,. that brought Black Loyalists from New York to Annapolis Royal, Nova Scotia.
Finding the location where any of the estimated 50,000 Loyalists who came to what is now Canada is not easy. There are several reasons which include that many were not buried with markers nor gravestones that have lasted and others on private land and not in cemeteries making their discovery difficult. Across Canada only approximately 1,300 have been identified.
Over several years I have created virtual cemeteries for graves of United Empire Loyalists on the “Find a Grave” website. These can be accessed from the list below and include:
I have also prepared other virtual cemeteries which are:
The largest number of gravestones of United Empire Loyalists in Nova Scotia are in the counties of Annapolis and Digby. My book Loyalist Cemeteries & Gravetones of Nova Scotia uses photographs and descriptions to identify cemeteries and gravestones there.
The gravestones of these United Empire Loyalists can be considered as historical artifacts. They are part material culture and part historical document. They are dated, associated with known individuals, and were placed to convey information to future generations.
Further Reading: Captain Jacob Getcheus , published by Historic Nova Scotia
Brian McConnell, UE
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