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Malott Cemetery History

With Thanks to Christine Peck

MALOTT CEMETERY 1874 - 1939

LOCATION: Middle Road South, Lot 27, Tilbury East Township, Kent County

See photos of monuments in this cemetery and some documentation here.

The Mallot Cemetery also known in the area as the United Empire Loyalist Cemetery was established in 1874 and remained in use until 1939. The land was donated by Mr. Jonas Malott for area residents to serve as a private Protestant burial place. Covering less than one acre,this spot made it a popular burying place due to the 'easy digging' in the sandy soil. An estimated 175 people are buried there. The cemetery can be reached along a 200 yard path bordering a ditch from Gray Line and there is documentation to prove that it covers about 40% of its original area.

Some of the names include, Baker, Dawdy, Cowan, Burke, Davis, Malott, Cavanagh, Dales. It was suggested by the Tilbury Times that Davidsons, Cottinghams are buried there as well, but I do not have a transcription of those names. If you are reading this article and know for a fact that there are ancestors of these names buried there, please contact John Skakel. (John at CKCemeteries.ca) It has been confirmed that at least one more burial and likely more were done here for members of the Malott and Cowan families.

Over the years there were a number of concerns over the condition of the cemetery. Vandalism, theft and disrepair ravished this little historical cemetery. Stones faded, disappeared and toppled over.

In June of 1938, the Tilbury Times published an article from the Women's Institute of Quinn discussing the neglect and the need to improve the condition of the plot. It was said "Although no resolution passed by the Women's Institute, hope was expressed that men in the community would spend a few hours with shovels and scythes to bring some semblance of former glory to the graveyard. The discussion which was aired on previous occasions recommended that more respect should be shown the rugged pioneer United Empire Loyalists. It was stated that bodies of a few members of the valiant army here have been disinterred in the past and transferred elsewhere. The blame was attached to the lack of upkeep in the cemetery."

In the 1950's the Tilbury East Township Council placed the remaining tombstones in lines along a cement foundation, but the stones were broken and moved.

In the 1980's Percy and Veta Atkinson and others tried to raise awareness to the public and council on behalf of the cemetery. There was very little public interest and Tilbury East council stated that their major stumbling block was funding. Councillors Brian King and Larry Davidson were able to spray weeds and put up a sign but their Board and the idea of building a concrete pyramid to hold the stones never materialized.

A special thanks to my friend Milly for sharing her historical archives with me, to the folks who took the time to transcribe the remaining stones, and to the people who over the years made a plea for this very special resting place. Although I know that many have passed on, it didn't fall on deaf ears. I heard and never forgot.

Please note that often those interred in communal areas were not counted in records. This MIGHT mean that there is a significantly larger number of burials here than noted above.