As I lift the plow at the end of this first volume, I am struck by how much still lies beneath the surface. These stories are not finished; they are simply the first pass across a field that stretches far beyond the horizon. There are more voices waiting, more lives to uncover, more furrows to turn. And so, with gratitude; for Linton, for the settlers, and for the land itself, I close this chapter knowing that the work continues. The soil is rich, the stories are deep, and th

The townships of Downie, South Easthope and Ellice, surrounded Stratford like a comforting hug. Pioneers settling in the area had a source of community, church and goods all within a carriage ride. Before the farms sustained them almost completely, Stratford and it's many growing shops helped provide the essentials and a few extras that made living in a transforming wilderness bearable.

Buying the right and interest, meant purchasing another settler’s claim before full payment had been made to the Canada Company; a common but risky practice that allowed land to change hands as fortunes shifted. Money remained scarce, and survival often depended on labour beyond one’s own farm. Fortunes could be gained or lost in a season or at the hands of an illness.

“He came from Turrerich, in Glen Quaich, in 1832, having left the Glen that year about the middle of June, and arrived at North Easthope on the 1st of September; eight families from the same place emigrated and travelled together and settled in the township and in the adjoining one, South Easthope.”

a tale passed down by grandchildren, a tale that paints John in a different light. According to them, he had been “a whisky smuggler all his life in the old country,” a man who knew the back trails and the hidden glens, always one step ahead of the Excisemen. They say his real name was McIntosh, and that he took the name Crerar to disguise himself when he fled to Canada.

Andrew recited his story as John dictated, as Andrew spoke, Linton imagined those faraway Scottish hills, the patchwork fields, stone walls, and heathered slopes now traded for maples, black oak, and the relentless hum of mosquitos. The tone of Andrew’s voice suggested neither regret nor longing, only the clarity of a man who understood the weight of choices. A man who new big risks could bring big rewards.

When Timothy finished, a calm settled in the clearing. The forest around them seemed to pause, just long enough for John to fully absorb the weight of what he had heard. Here was a man who had shaped the land with his own hands, who had endured sickness, loneliness, debt, and uncertainty, and who had risen above it through sheer determination.

Within the quiet expanse of East Ward Park lie hundreds of stories—tales of triumph and sorrow, buried but far from forgotten. This is one

The reports confirm the tragic nature of his passing, finding him frozen under a bridge after New Year's Day.

​Stanley’s journey with the Perth Regiment began when he was just 19, and by 21, he was overseas, part of the grueling Italian Campaign.

​These headstones under the trees represent more than just forgotten relics. They are a stark reminder of our own mortality.

John Sebring, an American who arrived in the area in 1834, is credited with founding the community. His entrepreneurial spirit led him to...

For the next eleven weeks, leading right up to Remembrance Day, we will be giving away one complimentary headstone cleaning each week

Each cemetery is a unique archive, offering a tangible link to the pioneers, farmers, artisans, and families who built this region.

Should we include the perpetual care of our headstone in our wills, explicitly assigning this responsibility to our family members?

My soul, it seems, is fed by the quiet reverence of the natural world. Give me a forest, with its dappled light, the scent of damp earth,

You wanna know who your great-aunt Mildred actually married that third time? Or if that rumour about your grandpa being secretly related to

​Back in the early 20th century, marble was a popular choice for headstones, and for good reason! It’s a naturally beautiful stone, with

​They place fresh flowers 💐, potted plants, or other decorations on the graves, symbolizing enduring love and remembrance.

​Turns out, cemeteries are basically outdoor history museums, just with significantly less gift shop merchandise.