Fredericton's Old Burial Ground - Seann Chladh

James Taylor senior was a Loyalist who arrived at Pointe Sainte-Anne in 1783. Born in Port Glasgow Scotland, he had emigrated to New York when young and served as a Sergeant with the 3rd New Jersey Volunteers during the American Revolution. In Fredericton he was known as "James The Elder" (as differentiation from his son James), and is credited with establishing “one of the largest and most respectable firms” in the colony—with business interests in the mercantile trade, as well as timber, shipbuilding, and general construction operations. His place of business was located just below Regent on Queen Street, across from the (present-day) former York County Court House.  James’ three sons, James, William, and John F., formally entered into a partnership with their father in 1821, forming “James Taylor Senior and Company”. In addition to their store, the Taylors operated a mill and shipyard on the western end of Fredericton. They also owned a mill on the Nashwaak (present-day Ma...

Robert Fulton was born in Ayreshire Scotland in 1801, and arrived in Fredericton as a young man in 1821. The following year he entered into government service as a clerk in the office of the Provincial Secretary, and continued to serve in that capacity for another 44 years—first as Clerk, then Chief Clerk, and eventually, in 1861, as Assistant Secretary to another Society member—John Gregory. At the age of 24, he was a founding member of the Fredericton Society of Saint Andrew. He was also one of the founding members of St Paul’s Church as well as the Fredericton Curling Club. Robert Fulton’s esteem within the Government of New Brunswick is attested to by the quality of the marble stone that stands in the Old Burial Ground on Brunswick Street. The inscription reads:  In memory of Robert Fulton Esq., born in Ayre,  Scotland, in 1801,  died in Fredericton  February 26th 1867.  He came to this Province in 1821  and entered the Office of the Provincial...

At 19 years of age, John Gregory was the youngest founding member of the Fredericton Society of Saint Andrew. He arrived in Fredericton in 1818 — along with his friends Robert Gowan and Thomas Robertson — as a member of the 74th (Highlanders) Regiment of Foot. Throughout his lifetime John Gregory was an “active and prominent member of the Society,” serving as Secretary (1828-1837), as well as Vice-President (1838-1841; 1858-1861), and President (1861). He is also credited — along with his close friends and fellow Society members Francis Beverly, Robert Fulton, Thomas Robertson, and Robert Gowan — with founding St Paul's Church. Born into a family of law professionals in Edinburgh, Scotland, John attended private schools and commenced Law studies at the age of 15. After interning for two years, it is said that his “pride was hurt” when the senior attorneys criticized his work. He felt the criticisms were unjust, and what made matters even worse, his father agreed with them! John thu...

Peter Fraser was the first President of the Fredericton Society of Saint Andrew. He served for seven years. In 1923, the then President Mr Justice Oswald S. Crocket wrote extensively about him:  Peter Fraser, the first president of the Fredericton Society of Saint Andrew, was a leading merchant and one of the most prosperous and prominent citizens of Fredericton. Born at Forres, Morayshire, Scotland in 1765, he came to New Brunswick in his eighteenth year about the time it was founded as a separate Province in 1784, and by his native ability and unremitting industry and prudence soon hewed out the path upon which he advanced to business success and public prominence.  As early as 1789, Mr. Fraser purchased from William Garden (original grantee) the block of land bounded today by Queen, Church and King Streets, situated beside Parliament Square. Not long afterwards, he built a residence on the Queen Street side of his property (today known as Farraline Place). Later he built a ...

Alexander McKILLIGAN was laid to rest in the Old Burying Ground, Fredericton on Thursday. He came to Fredericton 47 years ago from Miramichi to which place he had emigrated from the north of Scotland several years previously. Engaging here in the baking business with Mr. CLARK, whose bake house and shop were in Waterloo Row, he soon branched out for himself. About that time he married the housekeeper of Lady COLEBROOK wife of Lt. GOV. COLEBROOK. She died long ago and he was buried in the same grave that held his first love. Subsequently he became City Marshall. Marrying a second time, he left the city about twenty years ago, taking up residence on his farm near the junction of the Tay and Nashwaak. There he lived till Tuesday last, periodically coming to town. He was a member of the old St. Andrews Society. He was one of the fathers of curling in N.B. In 1854, John NEILL founded the Fredericton Curling Club and of the eight original members, he alone is left. The others, who have prece...