SAM EDGAR'S STONE CRYPT -- near Apsley, Ontario
N 44° 46.970 W 078° 04.250
17T E 731734 N 4963000
A stone crypt built by one of the area's first pioneers.
Waymark Code: WM6THM
Location: Ontario, Canada
Date Posted: 07/18/2009
Views: 20
This stone crypt was built in 1884 by Sam Edgar.
Construction is completely from local stone, including the roof. The small doorway leads a two foot drop down to the dirt floor.
From the Peterborough and Kawartha Tourism geocache (GC72VGJ) site:
" This property held the first local church (Methodist), known as the "Little White Church" or "Young's Church" on land donated by John Young. It was built in 1866 and removed in 1890.
The site became a pioneer cemetery, officially "Scott's Cemetery" and known as "The Vault" locally. The names of 20 individuals and families have been recorded from grave markers, while oral history tells of three more (log) "river drivers", possibly including a Mr. Foley, who were buried here, too. The markers, but not the graves, were relocated in 1972 during preservation of the grounds and crypt.
The stone building is known as "Sam Edgar's Crypt". It was built in 1884 out of stone and marble by its namesake.
Mr. Edgar was born in Boardmills, Ireland (near Belfast) on Jan 18, 1814 and is said to have become a Royal Stonemason in England before his departure. One story tells that his move was due to getting caught poaching deer on the King's land, a crime punishable by either exile or death.
On Nov 27, 1860, Sam, his wife Margaret McKee, and their 3 children (Robert, Margaret, and Mary) left Belfast for New York aboard the ship, "City of Baltimore". Sam is said to have come to Ontario alone to scout the area and build a basic timber "cottage" for his family before calling for them. He is said to have settled on the land across Old Apsley Road in 1865.
Mr. Edgar would have been 70 when this impressive crypt was finished. It was built to hold members of the Edgar family who perished during the harsh winters when graves couldn't be dug. It is said that Sam and a grandson were each interred here for one winter before being buried in the Union Cemetery in Apsley.
Sam Edgar died in Chandos on Jan 30, 1887. His wife Margaret Agnes McKee died July 10, 1903, also in Chandos."
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