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The Otter Creek Cemetery

Formerly known as the Deshane and/or Nolan Cemetery

With Special Thanks to Ken and Carol VanDamme

We Highly Caution that we have found no proof that the names "DeShane" and "Nolan" are historic names for these cemeteries. However, these names do show in some former documeentation. Since we know of no actual name(s) here, we are using the location name of "Otter Creek Cemetery"

There seems to be two different cemeteries on this site. One is the larger known to be Catholic one and the other is a possibly Protestant one beside the road. The larger one seems to be divided into two areas with the join about half way back.

The Large Catholic Cemetery

7320 Otter Line
CON 3 GORE PT LOT 15 PT S PT
W PT LOT 15
now no known tombstones on the site
One thought to now be in Wallaceburg Museum.

This cemetery came into the care of the VanDamme family December 01, 1912 from Alfred Drummond who was the seller of the farm and cemetery to Ken's Grandfather Achiel VanDamme. That care was then transferred to his son Marshall O. VanDamme in late 1946 or so. And then on to Ken.

This cemetery parcel of land had been bequeathed to the Roman Catholic Church before 1912 by Mr. Green or Alfred Drummond as mentioned on the deed of sale to Achiel VanDamme (proof of this in the deed. See below). And that the VanDamme family literally cleared out the thorns that were over running throughout when the VanDammes took over. The VanDamme family have since cared for and RESPECTED this parcel of land--never been farmed -- and used only for grazing of milk cows in more recent years. The grass has been cut regularly and baled up to keep it neat. The London Diocese of the Catholic Church are aware of it's location too.

VanDamme family history tells us that this cemetery began when there was a "Mission" in what would later become the town of Wallaceburg not far from that area. The Missionary (or Missionaries) would go around collecting the bodies of those who had died from those who had no place to bury them or wanted them buried in this sacred place. A Missionary would take his boat around the territory and collect those bodies and bring them to this location. A peaceful place that is not too far up the creek from the river beyond. Please remember that in those times the river and the creeks were the highways as very few roads had been built yet.

Please note the size of this cemetery in the photographs. (Photo yet to be posted.) Note that the people are standing at the edges of the cemetery in front. Then, note the distance back to the Otter Creek. This was NOT a small burial ground. It was very large in fact. From just about the hydro line on back is solid graves with no blank spots. Since this is also along the river, we can project that this could quite likely be where the missionary would have buried those bodies that he collected from the region. There would of course be no monuments left in this area as the longest wooden monuments might survive would be just under 100 years depending on type of wood used.

Approximately half way back, there is what seems to be a wider walk way. Beside this walk way parallel to the road. is a small children's burial area.

Formerly one monument here was documented by KOGS. With Thanks to them we know the following...
White slab broken into two pieces leaning against fence - base of stone still in position - floral motif.
George Lester
son of
Michael & (Eleanor?)
DESHANE
died
Jan 2, 1881
ae 12 y'rs 2 mo's
& 2 d'ys

In the early 80's it was noted that ... "There are also three broken pieces of gravestones. It is said that his stone is all that is left on the site of this cemetery. Location is along the Otter Creek."
Transcribed July 22, 1984
It is said that Marshall Vandamme's sister was the last one buried there in 1922.

This cemetery was likely called "Deshane" formerly due to the name on the one monument found there. It can still be found under that name in some KOGS records.

See Other photographs of the two(?) Otter Creek Cemeteries.

There seems to be two cemeteries at this location, although we must remember that the second involves dowsing. See Cemetery No 2 below...

Cemetery 2 - The Second Smaller Otter Creek Cemetery?

One person in the area remembers information on a (Protestant) Cemetery. There was also mention of a "Nolan" cemetery but the history of that family has no mention of a family cemetery in the area. In particular it would not be a Catholic one as the tiny bit of documentation seemed to suggest. Thus we think that name should no longer be used!

While on the site we did find further evidence of a second cemetery about the size of a large family cemetery located right next to the road. Almost nothing is known of this cemetery at the moment. However, that one reference, along with the information gained by dowsing is, we feel, enough evidence to document this as at least a "Possible" cemetery location. In fact a likely one. It must be remembered though that even if this IS a cemetery we have no real way to document it's history and who was interred there unless further research finds further evidence. Could it be a totally separate one from the Large Otter Creek Cemetery above? Could it be some sort of a smaller burial area for it? It is unlikely that we will ever know this.