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Records relating to the discovery of a grave at the former Elgin County Jail Yard
- Museum / Archive
- Elgin County Archives
- Part Of
- Ken Verrell Collection
- Description Level
- File
- GMD
- textual records
- Date Range
- 2010
- Storage Location
- W1 B3 F16
- Museum / Archive
- Elgin County Archives
- Part Of
- Ken Verrell Collection
- Description Level
- File
- File Number
- W1 B3 F16
- Storage Room
- Archives Storage Rm. 105
- Storage Location
- W1 B3 F16
- GMD
- textual records
- Date Range
- 2010
- Series
- Ken Verrell Collection - Elgin County History series
- Physical Description
- 0.4 cm of textual records
- History / Biographical
- "During an archeological dig on the courthouse property in the former parking lot area on July 6, 2010, a single grave was unearthed, containing remains of two bodies. The grave was located in the area of the former prison exercise yard, within walls of the jail which was torn down in 1985. An investigation was conducted, and the remains were determined to be those of John Hendershott and William Welter. The archeological dig was undertaken in preparation for a $100-million expansion project at the courthouse facility. The Provincial Registrar of Cemeteries has given notice of the intention to declare the site an unapproved cemetery and, according to a notice, "invites representatives of the persons whose remains may still be interred in the former cemetery to contact the registrar within two weeks after July 28, 2010" (taken from the St. Thomas Times-Journal, July 21, 2010).
"On Monday, September 27, the remains of William Welter and John A. Hendershott were reburied in St. Thomas Cemetery on West Avenue, near the Mausoleum. A simple ceremony, in the presence of about 20 people, was conducted by Rev. Roger Landell of First United Church and retired Baptist minister Rev. Clarence Roberts. Local historian Don Cosens also gave a eulogy. Their final resting place is to be marked by two flat markers." (taken from the St. Thomas Times-Journal, September 29, 2010).
- Scope and Content
- File contains records relating to the discovery of a grave at the former Elgin County Jail Yard. Discovered during an archaeology dig on the courthouse property on July 6, 2010, the grave contained the remains of two bodies, later identified as John Hendershott and William Welter. The file contains a printed copy of an e-mail from the property owner, Shmuel Farhi, with attached documents regarding the bones and process of relocating them, as well as the process of closing the cemetery to allow for development of the site.
- Name Access
- Elgin County Jail
- Elgin County Courthouse
- Subject Access
- Elgin County Courthouse
- Access Restriction
- Access may be restricted due to privacy legislation. Please consult with the archivist.
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