HISTORY
RISES FROM LOCAL BURYING GROUND
The
work of restoring the
Wiltse
Pioneer
Cemetery
just south of
Athens
is now well underway and history is literally rising out of the earth.
When work began here, volunteers questioned if this place was even a
cemetery as there were simply no visible indications.
That is now changing as ancient grave markers are unearthed to tell their
tales.
One
of the latest to be discovered was that of Sgt. Benoni Wiltse
himself. At the time of the
American Revolution, Benoni Wiltse, of Dutch descent, lived in,
Hopewell, Dutchess County, Province of New York, just north of the then Town of
New York. When
hostilities broke out, he joined the Loyalist Forces and became a Sergeant.
During the war, in 1777, he married Rachel Marks.
While Rachel seems to have lived in nearby Fishkill, their marriage is
reported to have taken place in Stoke,
Warwick
,
England
.
All
but one of the 13 known children of Benoni and Rachel were born in
Canada
,
first in
Augusta
and then later in Yonge. The exception is
Elizabeth
,
their first, who was born 1784 at
Albany
,
New
York
.
Their last child, Polly, was born at Wiltsetown,
Leeds
County
,
Upper
Canada
in 1802.
This couple would have had a most interesting life, first experiencing the
turmoil of a major war, sailing across the Atlantic Ocean, losing their New York
home to the rebels, traveling up the Hudson and wintering in Quebec, starting a
new life in Augusta and then uprooting again to move to the wilds of the newly
surveyed Township of Yonge and along the way, raising a family of 13
children.
It is almost certain that Benoni Wiltse relocated to
Yonge in 1792 to obtain land where waterpower could be harnessed.
He did just this by acquiring lots 11 and 12 in the 7th
Concession and lots 12 and 13 in the 8th Concession.
The Elbe Creek flows through all four lots.
Here he would build the first saw mill in the area and later a
grist mill. He would then go
on to found the local Masonic Lodge and become its first Grand Master.
Benoni retained
his military interests and served, along with his brother James, each as Captains
in the Leeds Militia. All
in all a life well lived.
In
the ground of this ancient cemetery lies this soldier of the Revolutionary War
who would have known the thunder of cannon, the smell of gun smoke, the pall of
death and will have had more than one rebel in his gun sight.
Here also lies a husband, father, founder, farmer, entrepreneur and
pioneer nation builder.
The confirmation of this life has now risen from the earth as pieces of
stone, now rejoined to say….In Memory of Benoni Wiltse, born 1758 died 1822
aged 66 years. Rachel lies
at his side.
There are over 200 similar stories to be found in this sacred
ground.
This
civic project being lead by the Col. Edward Jessup Branch of the United Empire
Loyalists’ Association of Canada needs some additional local help.
If you wish to donate one or two very interesting week-ends, call
345-1008.
Don Galna
345-3638
For pictures, click on, Wiltse
Pioneer Cemetery
For
Bill of Sale, click on Benoni
Wiltse
Wiltse Pioneer
Cemetery Dedication
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