The Fisher/Montross Cemetery is an abandoned cemetery. Some maintenance is done now and then. A new small fence now encompasses the cemetery. A unique point is the old wrought iron entrance gate that was once used to enter the cemetery.
If you have time to read this and to explore this small cemetery, you will see most of the names in this write up buried here. The history below explains much of what these pioneer families went through in the early days of settling in the Fishers Glen area.
The Six Montross Brothers and Sisters
The father of the Montross family was a U.E. Loyalist during the war of the Revolution, but he did not live to join his fellow-Loyalists in the work of home-building in Upper Canada. He did live, however, to suffer bitter persecution for his loyalty to the British Crown in those sorrowful days. His family fled into New Brunswick, where they settled on land set apart for expatriated Loyalists, who had suffered and lost everything in the great struggle with their fellow colonists for the supremacy of British rule.
Just before the century drew its last expiring breath, the children of this brave old defender of the flag having heard so many wonderful stories of the new Long Point settlement in Upper Canada—of its fine climate and its fertile lands which were being gratuitously granted to U.E. Loyalists and their children—determined to migrate there also, and secure homes for themselves. The family consisted to three brothers—Levi, Peter and Silas; and three sisters—Phoebe, Frances and Margaret.
Levi Montross drew the north half of Lot 1, Concession B., Charlotteville. He was a very religious man, and in the practical exercise of his Christian faith in the every-day affairs of life, he was the worthy peer of his near neighbor and brother-in-law, Thomas Price. Before the municipal system came into operation he was one of the “Town Commissioners” for Charlotteville, serving as church warden. This term, “church warden,” as applied to a township official in this country, is quite misleading as to its functional signification. The old board of township or parish officers included two whose duty, in part, was to look after the poor and destitute. These two were called “church wardens,” a name borrowed from England and not at all appropriate in its application to these officials. In England the “church warden” is an ecclesiastical official, whose duty is to look after the edifice of the church, superintend ceremonial worship, and such like duties, in his parish. It is simply one of the many English terms which, owing to a different condition of things, have been ridiculously misapplied in the institutions of this country. Many of these incongruous terms have been dropped, and as our own peculiar institutions develop, our terminology becomes less English and more Canadian.
As a church warden in those early days, Levi Montross left a clean record behind him. In 1806 he was appointed High Constable of London District, serving as such for one year. He died childless, willing his farm to his nephew, Peter Price.
Peter Montross married a daughter of Zebulun Leach, and settled on land adjoining his brother Levi, which he drew from Government. For many years he kept a little store on this place, and during the rebellion he turned over, free gratis, his stock of powder to Major Backhouse, and his stock of flints to Simpson McCall—the latter having been sent with a dispatch to Backhouse ordering that officer to forward the militia under his command. Peter Montross also died childless. He willed his farm to his nephew, Jeremiah Johnson, the old pioneer Baptist deacon.
Silas Montross drew land on the lake shore adjoining “The Glen” on the east. Here he settled, having married Sarah, daughter of Frederick Mabee, and here he raised his family. Pellum Mabee started the nucleus of a distillery down at the mouth of the ravine, which passed into the hands of Silas Montross, and which was developed and operated by him until the premises were purchased by Cross & Fisher. During the War of 1812, a party of Americans landed at this place and burned the Finch mill and looted the distillery, carrying off a large quantity of whiskey. Mr. Montross died in 1824, in his 52nd year; and Sarah, his wife, died in 1818, in her 40th year.
In the year 1808, a session of the March term of the old Quarter Sessions Court of London District, was held at Silas Montross‘ house. At this session Thomas Welch, Esquire, sat on the bench as judge, or chairman, with Nathan B. Barnum, William Hutchinson and Samuel Ryerse, Esquires, as associate justices. The following persons were present as grand jurors: Aaron Culver, foreman; Philip Sovereign, Nesbett Culver, John Slaght, Matthias Messacar, Morris Sovereign, Henry Beemer, Leonard Sovereign, Abraham Messacar, John Culver, Daniel Millard, William Robinson, and Michael Shoft. Abner Decew was the constable in charge of them.
The Commission of the Peace and Statutes of the 35th of George III., was publicly read. The High Sheriff and constables were called, and the latter answered to their names as follows: Abner Decew, Silas Dean, Charles Burch, William Winegarner, Garrett Smith and Manuel Allen.
The justices present were then called to put in their recognizances. After this the grand jurors were called, sworn and charged, after which they retired. After the usual proclamation was made, Finlay Malcolm and William Winegarner were called and sworn to give evidence to the grand jury.
The Court then adjourned until four o’clock in the afternoon; and when it again convened, Alexander Taggart, Jesse Rice and Morris Thomas were fined fifteen shillings for non-attendance as jurymen.
This session of the Court was held on the 8th day of March, and the reason for holding it at the house of Silas Montross is not made apparent in the old record. It does show, however, that Mr. Montross was appointed Constable for Charlotteville and Walsingham at the June term in 1805.
Silas Montross had five sons—Wilson, Horatio Nelson, Levi, Rodney and Anderson; and three daughters—Matilda, Julia and Harriet; who married, respectively, Donald Fisher, _____ Lafevre and Samuel Gooden.
Wilson Montross, eldest son of Silas, settled in Walsingham at first, but finally went to California with his family.
Horatio Nelson Montross, second son of Silas, married Cynthia Story, settled on the homestead, and had four sons—Levi, James, Joseph and Alvin; and one daughter, Adaline. Levi and Alvin were tinsmiths, and at one time were engaged in business in Simcoe.
No data was obtained as to the genealogy of the family of Levi, third son of Silas Montross.
Rodney Montross, fourth son of Silas, married Clarissa Green, settled on the homestead, and had five sons—John, Morris, Wilson, Lewis and Ansley; and two daughters—Sarah and Mary Ann. Anderson Montross, youngest son of Silas died single.
Phoebe, Frances and Margaret Montross, the three original sisters, became the pioneer mothers of large and influential families. They married, respectively, Andrew McCleish, Thomas Price and Lawrence Johnson.
This write up made available from the Long Point Settlers website.