133 years ago today, during what might have been another heatwave (as it is now)
Peter Deer died of sunstroke.
He spent his life in the Six Nations Reserve
and lies in the Mohawk Chapel Burying Ground.
Nothing more is known about his life.
The church was built in 1786, but didn't have a resident minister until 1827. Unfortunately, all the burial records were destroyed in a fire in 1903
(plaque, erected 1984 by Her Majesty The Queen)
for signs, signs
...a wonderful post!
ReplyDeletesun - or heat - stroke is still not such a rare thing to die of.
Deleteeven though I could not find out if he was related to any of the other Greens in the cemetery, that tiny bit of information about his death makes him a little less anonymous, somehow.
Love these glimpses into the past.
ReplyDeleteI've been neglecting my cemetery visits for too long. now that I've made a few trips I'm remembering how much I enjoy the sightings and the research.
DeletePoor Peter!
ReplyDeleteyes.
DeleteHow very interesting. I really enjoyed your post. Hope things cool down for you!
ReplyDeletethank you. and no, it is due to get warmer!
DeleteNo one left who knows who Peter Green was. That's is too bad. He should have taken water with him.
ReplyDeletewe will never know....
DeleteIt could certainly happen to someone today!
ReplyDeleteyes, it could! and no a/c for me :(
Deletethanks. glad you dropped by.
ReplyDeleteVery historical. I love reading about stories like this.
ReplyDeleteMy SIGNS, SIGNS
and the plaque is in several languages. sorry it's a bit hard to read.
DeleteThe plaque information is so interesting. I had no idea about the Mohawk Indians supporting the British. It seems to strange that these people would be gifted a chapel. Would it be used?
ReplyDeleteYes, it is still used every Sunday for services. And is open to the public for tours during the summer.
DeleteThree little words that make Mr Green more than a statistic. So much easier to imagine his life and death with that addition.
ReplyDeleteAt least we know something about him - besides dates - even if it is only how he died.
DeleteI believe there have been a few people here hospitalized with sunstroke during this heatwave. Haven't heard of anyone dying, yet. We have more opportunities to escape the heat in this century.
ReplyDeleteHe was in his mid 60s, so may have been hard at work. and yes, had nowhere to escape the heat.
DeleteFascinating!
ReplyDeleteLovely little church! It's interesting that they put the cause of death on his tombstone.
ReplyDeleteEvery now and then you'll see that, but it is rare.
DeleteUsually, it might be because the death was of a particularly newsworthy event - a fire or train accident for instance.
Interesting information and photos!
ReplyDeleteApropo the green color; It seems to me that the material and color most appropriate for headstones is Hebron marble which is white or off-white. There's something very spiritual about that material and color. The problem is that Hebron (place near Jerusalem) marble is not resilient to climate's harms.
Yes, many of these old headstones can be covered in moss - which can't be cleaned off. You can also find many stones where the engraving on one side has completely worn off due to the weather
DeleteI had heard of this church but now thanks to you, I have the chance to see it. Where exactly is it? Near any large towns? The church doesn't look that ancient form the picture. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteIt is in Brantford, about a 40kms or so from Hamilton.
DeleteAnd I guess it has been refurbished many times. It's also a popular spot for weddings, so would need to be well kept.
Great sign; great post.
ReplyDeleteFascinating gravestone. I love old cemeteries, especially ones that are right next to a church. (And in answer to your question: I do print some of my postcards. Sometimes for myself, and sometimes for others.)
ReplyDelete