This is version 2 of the original cache that I adopted from
5KingCachers when they moved out of the area in 2009.
Thank you 5KingCachers for researching the historical
information:
This Cache is the twenty third in the BC Spirit Quest - a series
of caches dedicated to the Pioneers of BC. This cache takes you to
a cemetery of historical significance to gather information. Much
can be learned from visiting and showing respect to our
predecessors. Feel free to post information found or photos (but
not spoilers) of interesting stones or other features in the
cemetery. When looking for a place to place this cache, I came
across this beautiful Cemetery with some history. If you have ever
wondered where the name of William A Fraser Middle School came from
here is the history.
William Archibold Fraser was born in Inverness Scotland. He
emigrated to Canada at the age of seven. His early schooling took
place in Lost River, Quebec. It was here that Mr. Fraser learned
English, a change from highland Gaelic. He married and had three
children. Shortly after the birth of the his third child, his wife
died. As the years passed and the children grew up, Mr. Fraser
decided in 1887 to move west as the Canadian Pacific railroad was
opening up the west and there was much interest in living in the
land beyond the Rockies.
Upon arriving in British Columbia, Mr. Fraser homesteaded 160
acres in Abbotsford. An area now bounded on the north by McMillan
school, on the west by Beck Road, on the east by McMillan/Marshall
Roads and extending to the southern boundary of the Vedder
Transport property. Mr. Fraser quickly set out clearing the land
and soon had a comfortable log house built. He then sent east for
his 18 year old daughter Anora, to join him. She was among some of
the first single, white women to cross the Rockies. Other people
along on the same trip were Donald and Sarah McMillan, after whom
McMillan Road and school area are named.
Mr. Fraser continued to use his skills as a logger, particularly
his work with the board axe, to earn a living hewing timbers for
barn and house construction. He supplied the valley from Langley to
Abbotsford and his fame as a workman spread near and far throughout
the Fraser Valley area.
In his retiring years, he lived with his niece Hannah Fraser. In
1921, he passed away never having spent a single day in bed due to
illness. Mr. Fraser's remains are in Musselwhite Cemetery, along
with his many pioneer friends. In memory of him, a beautiful
stained-glass window, "The Good Shepherd" adorns the south wall of
the church he attended regularly, Trinity United in Abbotsford.