This is a PRIVATE website owned by John Skakel. Contact us HERE
Cemeteries Office Staff have asked that users NOT contact them with questions directly.
Those interred in Hutberg Cemetery
With Special Thanks To Darryl Stonefish and the Delaware Nation of Moraviantown
Hutberg Cemetery as we see it today.
Hutberg Cemetery also known in the past as God's Acre
The following information will include burials between the arrival of the Moravians and Delaware in 1792, and the time they left following the Battle of the Thames in 1813. Also included are the names on those Monuments at the Cemetery that used to be located at Hutberg but were moved by the Moravians to Bothwell when they left the area the final time much later. Please realize that this cemetery was still used after the return of the Moravians and Delaware over a year after the battle until the last burials including that of Mary Ann Vogler upon her death June 5 1901
Please note that the list of deaths and burials from 1792 - 1813 were taken from the text of the book "Moravians in Upper Canada the Fairfield Diary 1792 - 1813".
It is extremely important that everyone realizes there are probably NO soldiers buried in God's Acre!
1792
May 8. The first burial in the Hutberg Cemetery must have been Thomas, Grandson of the Delaware Chief Netawatwes. He did on May 8 of 1792. Funeral on May 10. The Moravians came to Fairfield at slightly different times over a few days, but this was only 3 days after the Sensemanns and Brother Edward first came to the site.
Aug 4. Wijan, the Muncey captain on August 4 became ill. His people brought him to Fairfield as he asked, and called native doctors against his wishes. The could not help him. He was baptized as he wished with the name Jacob, and died that night. Funeral took place on August 5 toward evening. Name Jacob.
Sept 11th Tobias died and was buried on the 12th. His father was the helper Tobias who was killed in the Massacre.
Oct 8. Chippewa camped near asked the Moravians to bury one of their children.
Nov 1. Abraham, Grandson of Abraham was buried. He died Nov 1. Age 23 years 7 months and 19 days. Died of consumption.
End of year 151 in Congregation plus Missionaries.
In 1792, a total of 5 people died. One of them was a child. 151 people living in the village. (Since one of the above was a Chippewa child, I believe that there is one death missing here.)
1793
Feb 26 Cornelius passes away. Buried on the 27th. He was thought to be 100 years old.
Sept 10. A Woapano Indian from Montreal returning from Miami became ill and remained for awhile. He stated to "Josua" that he wished to stay. Shortly he died, and he was buried there. It does not state if he was baptized. If not he would be placed in the Potter's Field area. Since the end of year notes do not include him, it is almost certain that he is in Potter's Field.
Sept 20. Two children die and are buried on the 22nd. One was Rebecca's fifteen month old child. The other child was still born. Both were laid in the same grave.
Oct 7. Ephraim who was blind died. Buried on Oct 8th. Died of internal gout. Now he and Cornelius who was also blind lie together in God's Acre.
Oct 24. A sick child was baptized as Jonas. It died the next night and was buried on the 26th.
In 1793 Cornelius and Ephraim noted as passing away. Waopano was a visitor and the children do not seem to be recorded.
End of year 159 Natives plus Missionaries.
1794
Jan 8. Child of Rebecca, born on the 1st passed away. Buried on the 10th.
Feb 2. Child Lydia was buried. She died yesterday.
May 19. The baby of the daughter of Samuel and her husband Moses was baptized with the name Sarah. "Although still alert at baptism it died half an hour later." Funeral was held May 21.
July 21. Clemens who was baptised on the 11th died peacefully today. He was buried on the 22nd. Probably Consumption.
In 1794 one adult and three children died. Population is now 165 plus Missionaries.
1795
March 5. The child Lewis died and was buried on the 6th. It was just 8 months old.
April 22. The girl Agnes aged 11 died of consumption. Buried on the 24th.. Died of Consumption.
May 20. the married sister Johanna died and was buried on the 22nd. Died of Consumption.
Oct 5. William son of John Henry died and was buried on the 6th at the age of 9 months.
Oct 14. Debora, daughter of the Mahican Renatus died and was buried on the 16th.Died of the measles.
Oct 26. "A child" dies and the funeral is held on the 27th. (May not be in Hutberg since NO details are given. Possibly in Detroit but details are confusing)
Oct 27. "A child was also killed there by a falling tree." We cannot tell if this was in Fairfield, Muncey, Detroit, or elsewhere this time. End of year records seem to indicate it was NOT in Fairfield. (i.e. may not be Hutberg.)
Nov 27. The Mahican Renatus was buried.
End of Year... Four adults and three children died this year. Total number 158 plus Missionaries.
1796
March 6. Grown girl Elizabeth died. Buried on the 7th. 17 years old less two months. She had been lame for two years and could not walk.
June 23. A child dies. Funeral conducted the next day. (Burial probably NOT in Hutberg)
Nov 18 Br Jung saw to the funeral of a Baptist. (Almmost certainly NOT in God's Acre but may have been in the Potter's Field behind that.
Dec 25. "In the after noon we buried little Johannes. He was born on the 2nd of this month and died the day before yesterday."
A grown girl and a young child passed away this year. Note the difference here from the list above. It is likely that the June 23 and the Nov 20 burials account for this.
End of Year. 169 plus Missionaries.
1797
Jan 14. Johannes Renatus dies at 8 years and 4 months. Funeral the next day. (NOT the Johannes in 1796 just above who was buried on Dec 25th.) Died of Rapid Consumption.
Jan 20. A man from the settlement fetches Br Michael Jung who was to see to the funeral of a woman. Jan 22. Br Michael Jung came back from the next township seven miles from here. Yesterday, he conducted a funeral there and today he gave a sermon. (Note - NOT Hutberg burial.)
March 3. The grown girl Marie who has suffered from consumption for some time passed away. She was buried on the 5th.
June 27. Simon's wife Jacobina, daughter of Lucas died today. She will be buried on the 28th of consumptive illness.
Aug 10. The 14 month old child Cornelius died and was buried the next day.
Nov 5. The 81 year old Indian David died and was buried on the 6th.
Dec 19. Bartholomaus's wife Justina died. She was buried on the 21st. Died of Consumption at 20 years of age.
Dec 28. Death of a two month old child. Funeral on the 29th. (Since there are few details this may not be in Hutberg.)
Five adults and three children died this year. There are 172 inhabitants in Fairfield plus Missionaries.
1798
Jan 16. Amos was buried. He was stabbed at Fairfield, and died 4 months later. The story is interesting to read. This was a case of their "Fairfield Indians" going astray. He died of stab wounds.
March 16 A sick Chippewa child was baptized with the name Ursula, and it died on the 18th. (Information seems to indicate burial in Hutberg)
April 8. Sarah the wife of the Nanticoke Samuel died. Buried on the 9th. Consumptive illness.
August 31. 8 year old child Mercy dies. Buried Sept 2.
Sept 3. 18 month old child Sem dies. Buried on the 5th.
Dec 5. Adam and Sabine had a son. After being baptized as Charles, he did on the 7th. He was buried on the 8th.
Dec 12. Br Joachim died. He was buried Dec 13. 80 years old. Problem started with headaches, then lead to speach problems and walking problems, etc.
Dec 13. Widow Henriette died in the morning. She was buried on Dec 14.
End of Year. No figures given.
1799
Feb 19, a boy was born to Jacob and Christine and it died shortly after. Buried on 21st.
March 11. Sr Bathseba died this morning. Buried March 12. 56 years with the congregation.
April 17. Johann Adam died this morning of injuries he received on April 13 while entering a sugar hut drunk with gun powder and shot and set off an explosion. He was buried on the 18th.
Dec 28. Ludwig dies. Buried on the 30th.
Population now 130 plus Missionaries.
1800
Jan 4. Br Gottlob Sensemann dies of Consumption. The indians worked all day on his coffin. Then on Jan 6 "At ten oclock we buried the remains of our dearly beloved Br Gottlob Sensemann.
Feb 15. Michael Jung went to see to the burial of a white woman who died in childbirth. One of several such cases this winter. (Unlikely that these remains lie in Hutberg.)
March 19. Cornelia, Lucas's wife died. She was buried on the 21st.
April 12. Sabbath. After the service the brothers went out to clean up the cemetery.
Nov 9. Boy named David dies. Buried on the 10th.
Nov 19. Funeral for the boy Lucas who was baptized on the 16th.
End of 1800, 140 persons in the village Plus 5 Missionaries.
1801
Oct 20. A daughter was born to Boas and Abigail. She did not survive the birth and was buried on Oct 21.
Extra note Here it is noted that early Nov of 1801 that a "Fever" raged, and took the lives of many people. Every family member was sick in many families and they had no one left to do harvest, etc. In Detroit alone there were 300 people sick, and 900 in the surrounding areas. Many died. Hardly a household was spared and it was not possible to get doctors or medicine. No records seem to exist of these burials. Burial records for this cemetery are exceptional, yet there seem to be more burials here than indicated on records. So this may be one part of that.
End of Year 165 plus Missionaries.
1802
Feb 8. Sister Phillippine dies. Buried on Feb 9.
May 9. A "Frenchman" comes to the site with the body of his daughter wrapped in a blanket who died a few days back. He wanted her buried at Fairfield.
May 9. Sister Mary Elizabeth died. Buried May 12. 70 years old.
May 20. The one and a half year old daughter of Tobias and Elisabeth named Sally, died from Dysentery. May 21 the funeral is held.
Sept 21. Little Sally daughter of Anna Sabina passed away and was buried the next day. 18 months old.
Dec 30. An old Chippewa woman died. She could not talk so they could not baptize her. In this case it is difficult to tell if she was buried at Hutberg or elsewhere.
End of year. No figures given.
1803
Jan 12. Brother Simon was buried. (No further information.)
Jan 19. Cornelius, Ruth's 20 year old Grandson was buried.
March 18. The child of Johannes's unbaptized wife was born and died. Little Christine was buried on March 20.
March 22. Little Simon, the baby of Beata and the Chippewa Indian died. It was born on the 21st. It was buried on March 24.
June 25. Sulamith died after a long illness. She said "Straight out that she would not think about the savior" so she was buried outside of the village. She was NOT interred even in Potter's Field.
August 20. Little Thomas died. Buried the next day.
End of year. 174 plus missionaries.
1804
Jan 8. Little Peggy died. She was buried on the 9th.
Jan 16. Johanna passed away. She was buried on the 17th. Died after a difficult birth in December. She was 28 years of age.
Feb 13. Maria Magdalena's old mother died some seven miles from Old Fairfield. She was living on the site but had not yet became Christian. Several "of her friends asked for permission to bury her a few rods behind our God's acre. It was granted them." This means that she was buried in the Potter's Field. It also states that already several Chippewa are buried there.
Extra Note. Please note that Maria Magdalena's Mother was not the first to be buried in Potter's Field. We are really told here that burials there were mostly NOT recorded. We are told that "there are already several Chippewa buried there." (burials NOT recorded above.) Proving that Potter's Field had been in use for non Christian burials for quite some time. Also, we note that when Maria Magdalena's relatives came to hold their usual ceremonies at their mother's grave, and were reminded that they were allowed to bury their mother behind God's Acre only on the condition that they abandon their heathen practices. They were permitted however to throw dirt onto the grave and cover it with planks but not to do sacrificing and dancing.
May 13 Judith's child Lazarus died at the age of two years and 5 months. Boy was buried on the 14th.
May 18. Johann Ludwig, Amalia's 14 year old grandson died when he fell into the water while fishing. Cause was "Falling sickness". Likely what we know today as Epilepsy.
May 31. Old Ruth was found dead in her bead though yesterday she still walked the village as usual. She was buried on June 1. She was 75 years old.
July 30. Little Thomas died of the blue cough. Buried on the 31st.
Aug 1. Little Simon died of the blue cough. Buried August second.
Aug 20. Br Oppelt arrives back with the remains of their one year old Ketura who died of the blue cough. One year old. She is buried morning of Aug 21st.
Oct 10. 26 year old Maria Salome died. Buried on the 12th. She had suffered a number of strokes.
Nov 23. Sarah, the three month old daughter of Beata and the Chippewa Indian who lived there died suddenly and was laid to rest.
Quote... This year four adults and 7 children passed away.
End of year 117 people in the congregation plus the missionaries.
1805
Feb 6. Little Gertraud, the daughter of Inkschies and Catharina died today. Was buried on the 7th. In all probability the child suffocated as it slept with its mother.
Feb 13. Jephta died. He was buried on the 14th. He was approximately 50 years old.
June 19. Martin died. Buried on the 20th. There were just enough men at home to carry the body to God's Acre. He was just over 15 years old. When he was 5 he injured his back and chest while playing roughly and that was the cause of his eventual death.
Nov 13. Johanette's little daughter Benigna became ill and died. She was buried on the 15th. She was born on the first.
End of year. Gone home were one married brother, one youth, and two little girls. One child was stillborn. It looks like the last one was not recorded earlier. 113 in the congregation plus three missionaries and one child of the Schnall's.
1806
April 22. Little six year old Caty died. Buried on the morning of the 23rd.
May 15. Sister Sabina died. She was buried on the 16th. Died of Consumption.
June 9. Sister Beata died. She was 31 years old. Buried on the 10th. Ailing ever since she gave birth to a daughter last March.
June 21. Johannes and Anna have a still born child. Buried on the 22nd.
Aug 14. Little girl Juliane died. Buried on the 15th. Baptized in sickness on 28th of last month.
Oct 5. Jacobine the little daughter of Johannes and Anna died yesterday at age 2 years and 8 months. Buried Oct 6th.
Dec 15. Br Denke conducted a funeral for a child in the "Settlement". i.e. this was not in Fairfield, and thus the burial would not be in Hutberg.
End of year 122 persons living at Fairfield INCLUDING 8 missionaries and their families.
1807
June 17. Br and Sis Schnall called to "settlement" to give Mrs. Schirman (almost certainly Sherman) medical and spiritual counsel. Her end was near. She died several days later. i.e. this was NOT in Fairfield and thus the burial would not be in Hutberg.
End of year, 122 persons living at Fairfield INCLUDING 8 missionaries and their families.
1808
Jan 31. Old Lucas who was ill since the beginning of winter died. Brothers went out and cleared a path through the snow to the cemetery. Buried on Feb 2. He was about 80 years old
Aug 13. Aaron, the little son of Samuel and Polly died. 19 months of age. Buried on the 14th.
Aug 24. Little Edward age 2 years and one month died of dysentry. Buried on the 26th.
Sept 26. Catharine died of consumption at age 24. Buried on the 26th.
Extra Note: Oct 2. This week the brothers made a new picket fence around our graveyard. The old one had quite rotted.
End of year 117 full time inhabitants plus several temporarily there plus 6 missionaries.
1809
Nov. 22. Isaac, son of Tobias and Elizabeth died at 14 months of age. Buried on the 24th.
End of year 128 persons living at Fairfield including 8 missionaries. Only one child died during the year.
1810
April 29. Johannes died. A disease causing his body to rot and flesh come away from his bones. He was 26 years old. Buried on the 29th.
May 23. Abraham died. Buried on the 24th.
Aug 15. Br. Leonhard died. Buried on the 16th. He was about 50 years old. He died from a "Nasty type of dysentery".
Aug 22. Sister Wilhelmina died and was buried on the 23rd. She fell from a horse and suffered sever internal and external injuries in June. She was 19.
Oct 4. Little 5 month old Joel was buried. He, his Mom, and Grandmother were on their way to Malden when it happened and they returned right away to bury him here. (We cannot tell if this was in God's Acre or Potter's Field.)
Oct 12. Little Laban was buried. Two years and 9 months old.
Dec 9. 5 month old Ignatius died. Buried on the 11th.
Dec 12. The widow Martha died from internal and external injuries received as she fell on one block of wood while carrying a load of wood on her back. She was buried on the 14th. She was 60 years old.
End of year 134 persons at Fairfield including 7 missionaries.
1811
Jan 6. 6 year old Nathaniel is buried.
March 16. A man from the settlement named "Ransom" cut his own throat with a shaving knife and died hours later. (We cannot tell for sure if this happened in the settlement or Fairfield but he would NOT be interred here.)
May 11. Little Theodora died at age two years and six months. Was married on May 12.
End of year 122 people PLUS missionaries. Two children died.
1812
Feb 10. 5 month old Pierre died. Buried on the 11th.
May 3. Br Denke was called to "The settlement" to see the funeral of a child. (This does not involve Fairfield.)
June 21. Br Denke was called to "The settlement" to speak in regards the runeral of the son of Mr Messmore. The son was killed by a falling tree. A methodist preacher had conducted the funeral, but "It was done in such a manner that it only increased the suffereng" so Br Denke was called to give words of comfort. Some 100 people gathered to hear him. (This does not involve Fairfield.)
Aug 15. Sister Lea died of consumption. She was buried the next day. She was 19 years old.
Sept 25. Br Denke saw to the funeral of 73 year old Mr Arnold in "The settlement". (This does not involve Fairfield.)
Dec 7. Br Denke "Saw to the funeral of the wife of a neighbor." She was 63 years old.
Dec 13. Anna Maria died. She was about 12 years old. She was buried on the 15th.
End of year 132 people including 6 missionaries and family.
1813
Please Note A later journal entry mentions that the people suffered from the deadly illness called "lazy or dumb fever". Sometimes people died within two or three days but after a time most survived after a long rest. Also "Blue Cough" was common among Indian Children.
Jan 12 Little Ludwig died at age of 6 years and 2 months. Buried on the 13th.
Jan 20 Ephraim who was 2 years old died today. His condition was described as a pain in the airs that turned into a putrification. He was buried on the 22nd.
Feb 23. Old Abraham who lived 5 miles upriver died. He was 70 years old. His wife received permission to bury him in God's Acre since they had been members there for quite awhile. He was buried on the 25th.
March 1. It is stated that they had the funeral for the boy Renatus who died on the 2nd. Obviously the dates are not correct somehow. He was 2 years and 4 months old.
March 3. Beata who was 6 months old died. Buried on the 4th.
March 4. Benjamin died after a short illness. He was 7 years old at the time of the massacre. A white man had hid him in the bush and saved his life and he was considered killed in the massacre until he returned to the congregation in 1801. He was 40 years old. He was buried on the 6th.
March 10. Johannes died at 52 years of age. 5 days before his death he suddenly became ill and died later. He was buried on the 11th.
March 15. Little Zacharias died at one year and 6 months old. Funeral on the 16th.
March 23. Salome, David's wife died in her 56th year. She died on the 24th.
March 24. A young heather who had been in Fairfield and attended meetings for awhile died suddenly. He was allowed to be buried in Potter's Field.
March 27. Married sister Anna died at age of 37 from a rapid form of "Consumption". She was buried on the 28th.
March 29. Jacobine died of a rapid consumption. She was 7 years old. Buried on March 31.
April 2. Mattheus died unexpectedly after an illness due to which he could not talk after having a raging fever. He was buried on April 3rd.
April 23. Eva died unexpectedly yesterday from rapid consumption. She was 6 years old. Buried on the 24th.
May 9. Br Denke went to "The settlement" for to conduct the funeral of Mrs Messmore. Immediately after her burial one of her son in laws died. There deaths would NOT be interred in Fairfield's God's Acre.
May 16. The child Joel was buried. No other information.
June 2. Lazarus died. Buried on the 3rd. No other information.
June 5. The boy Amos died. He hemorrhaged suddenly out on his family's field due to a consumptive illness.
June 21. James and Elias, Two natives were murdered at a distillery some 7 miles away in the direction of the settlement. After investigations their bodies were brought back and buried at Fairfield's God's Acre.
July 3. A two year old child died right after baptism and was buried.
July 9. Benigna died peacefully and was buried on the 10th.
July 23. Adolf died of a consumptive disease called King's Evil. He was not quite 18 years old. He was buried on the evening of the 23rd. (Recorded as the 21st corpse to be buried in God's Acre that year to that point."
August 2. Elisabeth died. The daughter of helpers Jacob and Christina. She had falling sickneess. (possibly epilepsy) She was 27 1/2 years old.
Aug 19. Br Denke performs the funeral of Matthew Dolsen who suffered a stroke at the onset of fever. (This death would NOT be interred in Fairfield's God's Acre.)
Aug 20. Salome the married sister died peacefully and was buried on the 21st. The wife of old Br Stephan. 39 years old. Died of Consumption following bloody dysentery.
Sept 19. A child was buried that was born three days ago.
Sept 21. Child Jephta died. Passed away peacefully. Buried on the 22nd.
1813 After Leaving Fairfield For Ancaster.
Date not recorded. The little boy Noah died while fleeing from Fairfield to Ancaster area, and was buried at an undescribed location.
Dec 29. Titus passed away. Child was 4 years less 3 weeks old. Since water level was too high where they were they carried the little body to the edge of lake Ontario two miles away.
Year end. 26 people died this year. 162 persons with Brother and Sister Denke included. Also Br and Sr Schnall made it to Safety in Bethlehem area and and Br Michael Jung is in Lititz.
Monuments moved to Bothwell Cemetery by the Moravian Missionaries when they left
Gottlob Sensman born Oct. 9, 1745 Bethlehem Pennsylvania departed Jan. 4, 1800 Fairfield River Thames. served as Moravian Missionary among the Delaware Indians 17 years (Note... Burial noted in order above.)
Anna Magdalene Haman born Apr. 13, 1790 at Schoneck Pennsylvania. died Aug. 1, 1829 at Moravian Mission
Ann Eliza Regennass born Sept 12, 1818 at Litiz Lancaster Co. Pennsylvania. Departed this life at New Fairfield Canada West Sept 4, 1846 aged 28 years.
I have fought a good fight. I have finished my course. This kept the faith
John Christian Vogler born Sept. 23, and departed 29, 1849. Of such is the Kingdom of Heaven.
Jessie Vogler born in N. Carolina Dec. 6, 1806 died Jan. 22, 1865 Served as Moravian Missionary 31 Years.
Albert C. son of L.E. & L.A. Vogler died Aug. 22, 1865 age 7 mons. 21 days
Christian Frederick Warman born in Baildon Eng. Dec. 1, 1844 fell asleep in Jesus. Moravian Town July 27, 1865
Jorger Isaac Torgersten born Jan. 5, 1880 died Jan. 8, 1880 at Moravian Mission
Mary Ann (Miksch) Vogler. Died June 5. Born 1814. Died at the house of her Grandson. Buried in God's Acre. Also buried there is her Brother S(? Name unavailable right now) Who died about 1800.
Additional Historical Information.
Death Notice for Mary Ann Vogler...
"The Moravian", periodical, June 26, 1901. Vol. XLVI- No. 26. Bethlehem, Pennsylvania and New York City, p. 204. [Archives of the Moravian Church, 44 Locust St., Bethlhem, PA.]
"Mary Ann Vogler was born in Nazareth, Pennsylvania, February 2, 1814. Her parents were Nathaniel and Juliana [Lineback] Miksch. In 1833 she was married and entered with her husband, Brother Jesse Vogler, upon the mission work among the Delaware Indians in Canada. In 1837 Brother Vogler went with about two hundred of the band to the territory of Missouri. In the following year, she, accompanied by her uncle, Brother Christian Miksch, also removed to the west. In this year Brother Vogler, through his association with the Indian Brethren, had acquired their language so that he could speak it fluently and afterwards was able to preach without employing an interpreter. In 1 840 Brother Vogler returned to Canada and continued to labor among the Indians until the fall of 1864, when he retired from active service and died January 22, 1865.
Tho the Indians were converted they remained uncivilized. For years after her coming did they retain their blankets, leggings, and moccasins, and depend largely upon hunting, fishing and the making of maple sugar for getting a living. Wandering bands of Pottawattamies and Chippewas visited and resided near them and with their heathenish customs hindered their advancements. The results of the chase and the proceeds of the sale of timber from the 26,00 acres, which they occupied as a Reserve, made life so easy that they were reluctant to try to better their condition by farming.
A government report says: 'The band is as squalid and wretched as any that have come under the notice of the commissioners. Tho occupying 26,000 of one of the finest districts of Western Ontario, it is reduced by vice, dissipation and misery.' Only under compulsion did they surrender a greater portion of their lands and remove from the village to the farms that had been allotted to them in severalty. With the feeling of discontent and opposition thus aroused, mission work became most difficult. Before her death she was permitted to see that the labors of her husband and his colleagues had not been entirely in vain. Paganism ha entirely disappeared. In language and dress very little distinguishes the Indians from their white neighbors. Like them, too, they make their living by the cultivation of the soil.
In her last sickness she found great comfort in repeating the German prayers learned in her childhood. Five children survive her, besides twenty-three grandchildren and seventeen great-grandchildren. "