Royal Sappers and Miners Cemetery

West of Newboro, Ontario, the Royal Sappers and Miners Cemetery occupies the north side of County Road 42, west of Thompson Lane.

Township of
Rideau Lakes

ROYAL SAPPERS & MINERS CEMETERY

Established 1828

Old Presbyterian Cemetery 1893 — 1924

THE ROYAL SAPPERS & MINERS CEMETERY 1828

CEMETERY ESTABLISHMENT

The cemetery was established early in 1828 by the Royal Engineers to accommodated burials of personnel who died during construction of that portion of the Rideau Canal located at the Isthmus (now Newboro).

Initial work on the canal was undertaken by civilian contractors. A serious outbreak of malaria at the site in August and September of 1828 resulted in a number of deaths with at least 14 known burials in August alone. With the loss of a significant portion of their workforce, the contractors were unable to continue with their job. Many labourers were so frightened that they left the site without waiting for their pay. In addition, the rock was so hard that their black powder blasting could not create a channel.

The decision was made to complete the project with military personnel raising the water level at the Isthmus by constructing a dam at the Narrows. In 1829, the 7th Company of the Royal Sappers and Miners were assigned to the Isthmus to work with a new labour force. Barracks were erected for the military personnel along with supporting infrastructure and accommodation for the remaining civilian workers.

Built by
Edgar Bresee
1982

Refurbished by the Family
for 150th

REPLICA OF
NEWBORO BLOCKHOUSE
BY
EDGAR BRESEE (1982)

IN
MEMORY OF
RICHARD GREEN
DIED
MAY 27, 1886.
AGED 59 YEARS 2 MONTHS

ALSO HIS 2 CHILDREN
JOSEF E. & LIDIA
AGED RESPECTIVELY
17 MONTHS & 2 MONTHS