Wednesday 22 February 2017

An interesting crypt

We were on a drive, looking for birds. Instead, I spotted this crypt at Bethel Pentecostal Church. There are, they write, 11 bodies buried in here. Their ages are very telling, as we don't realize how far we've come with vaccines, antibiotics and better healthcare.

Smiths Falls Record
The mausoleum was actively in use from 1895 to 1932 when Donald Wood was interned there. From that date to this, the mausoleum site has remained largely forgotten with the exception of one period in the mid-1980s when D. Joynt, Mr. Harris and Dr. Nichol, who at the time was a member of the Smiths Falls heritage committee, wrote a map by hand showing some of the plots.



There are two panels on wither side, honouring those who have departed this earthly clime.


It reads:
In memory of Alexander Wood (Aug. 16, 1823 – Jan. 27, 1895). Wife, Heniretta Baird (1823  – 1866) age 43.
Mary (5 years, 6 mos. 1853)
John (1853 3 years, 5 mos.)
James (1859, 4 years 6 mos.)
Donald (1861, 2 years 5 mos.)
George (1862, 1 year)
William (1902, 56 years)
Stephen (1908, 55 years)



This one reads: In memory of Alexander McIntosh, son of William A. Wood. 1882, 19 mos.
Henrietta, daughter of William and Mary Wood, 1904.
Mary Wood 1839 - 1933.

The metal door is interesting. I managed to grab a photo of inside, as it was locked.




8 comments:

Cat Lover said...

Oh, very interesting! I find it so peaceful having a wander around a cemetery. Great photos inside the crypt.

Anvilcloud said...

This is a very cryptic post.

DUTA said...

Interesting, indeed. It teaches us a great deal about "how far we've come" in terms of longevity and awareness to health issues-causes and treatments.

Nancy J said...

So sad to see all those young ages, no doctor close by? no treatments available, and a Mum too young as well. Maybe winter-time and there wasn't a way to dig a grave? I had no idea crypts were built then, thinking they were part of a very ancient time long ago.

Lowcarb team member said...

Well yes a crypt is rather different to birds!!!
But I enjoyed your post.

Hope the rest of the week treats you well
Take care

All the best Jan

Red said...

I don't know if there are any mausoleums here.

William Kendall said...

A very distinctive structure. The early deaths for some of those are very telling indeed.

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

You got pictures of some wonderful hidden history. The birds will be there another time... it is wonderful to find something like this.