AN HISTORIC LOYALIST CEMETERY
One of the largest cemeteries with surviving gravestones of Loyalists in Canada is Trinity Anglican Church Cemetery in Digby, Nova Scotia. The oldest viewable stone there is dated from 1785. There are over 200 marked graves of United Empire Loyalists, and descendants, who arrived in 1783, or shortly later, as refugees at the close of the American Revolution. In 1990, the Cemetery and adjacent Church were designated a National Historic Site for the deep ties to Loyalist settlement of Digby County.
Among those buried there with gravestones and an interesting story are:
George Armstrong, born in Digby about 1789, died February 2, 1863. His father was United Empire Loyalist Francis Armstrong, who was contracted to build first roads about Digby.
Dr. Azor Betts, died September 15, 1811, who was locked up by General Israel Putnam in an action supported by George Washington for inoculating soldiers from smallpox during the American Revolution. It was then believed it was deadly. He was buried with his daughter Elizabeth and her husband, John W. Wright.
Lieutenant Isaac Bonnell, from New Jersey, who served as an officer with the Prince of Wales Regiment. In Digby, he became a Justice of the Peace and Judge of the Common Pleas. By his Will dated May 2, 1803, he stated My desire is that my Black Boys George, Tom and Bob be taught to read distinctly in the Bible and to write a legible hand theat they be set at Liberty as they severally arrive at the age of twenty - four years. Each to be allowed a suite of good new clothese of every description beside their common wearing apparel. He died on November 7, 1806.
Ensign Elisha Budd, born at White Plains, New York. He served as an Ensign in the King's American Regiment. He died on August 13, 1813, while in England, and his body was returned to Digby, where he had resided after the American Revolution.
Mary Emma Dakin died November 16, 1860, at age 7. Daughter of Jane and Edward Dakin and granddaughter of United Empire Loyalist Thomas Dakin.
Colonel David Fanning, from Amelia County, Virginia, who commanded a Loyalist militia in North Carolina. He settled in New Brunswick first, where he served in the House of Assembly, but was forced to move to Digby after he faced criminal charges for assaulting a young woman. His gravestone is inscribed:
He was despised by the Rebels during the conflict for his guerilla type warfare. Sarah (Carr) Fanning, his wife, a native of Guilford County, is also buried in the cemetery with a headstone. She died on November 21, 1821.
Anna Maria Sawers Fitzrandolph died September 7, 1843, at age 4. Granddaughter of United Empire Loyalist Thomas FitzRandolph from New Jersey.
Mary Getcheus. The oldest gravestone in the cemetery. She died on September 17, 1785, and was the wife of sea captain Jacob Getcheus, who transported Black Loyalists to Annapolis Royal at the end of the American Revolution.
Thomas Gilbert, for whom Gilberts Cove in Digby County is named. His headstone is inscribed:
Mary (Bayeux) Hatfield, third wife of Colonel Hatfield of Westchester County, New York, who commanded a Loyalist militia. He is believed to be burird in the cemetery also but had no gravestone. Her stone is inscribed:
He was a slaveowner and had two males, two females, and a child.
Jane Hill, originally from the north of Ireland, whose husband Richard Hill built the first framed house in Digby.
Charles Dykeman Hinxman , died on September 12, 1863. Grandson of United Empire Loyalist Charles Hincksman who appeared on the Loyalist Muster Roll of 1784 in Digby and resided at Bayview.
Mary (Rutherford) Hughes , daughter of United Empire Loyalist Henry Rutherford, who became a prominent businessman in Digby. She died on April 14, 1840.
Major Robert Timpany, born in Newtownards, County Down, present day Northern Ireland. After attending university in Glasgow, Scotland came to America and worked as a teacher before the start of the American Revolution when he became an officer with the New Jersey Volunteers. He was a Justice of the Peace and Deputy Land Surveyor of Nova Scotia. While visiting a daughter in Yarmouth, he died on February 16, 1804, at the age of 101.
Dr. Jacob Tobias, of Oyster Bay, Dutchess County, New York. He married Sophia Ruggles, daughter of Brigadier General Timothy Ruggles. His father, Dr. Christian Tobias, is believed also to be buried in the Cemetery, although there is no stone. He was a German and served as a surgeon to one of the Hessian Regiments who received a land grant in Digby as a Loyalist.
There is also a smaller graveyard in the Town of Digby which was first established on private land. It is known as the Old Loyalist Cemetery and has nineteen gravestones.
In Nova Scotia, the Old Burying Ground in Halifax is also a National Historic Site. It was opened in 1749 when the city was established.
Further Reference:
Trinity Anglican Church Cemetery on Find a Grave, accessed October 5, 2026
Captain Jacob Getcheus , by Brian McConnell, UE, as published online by Historic Nova Scotia, accessed October 5, 2026
Digby's First Framed House Builder , by Brian McConnell, UE, as published onlne by UELAC, accessed October 5, 2026
Loyalists in Digby & the Old Loyalist Cemetery , by Brian McConnell, Ue, published online by UELAC, accessed October 5, 2026
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