In those early pioneer days, settlers lived in hope of clearing land and making a home, in spite of times of hardship, grief and tragedy lurking in every corner. Yet behind all of this there was hope. Hope to find water and fertile soil, to clear the land, settle their families, and begin again. They worked toward creating a place to be productive, to contribute and to provide a home for themselves and those to come. They strove to create a safe place to transplant their values, faith and principles. They had a dream and a passion to live these God-given gifts in this new land.
1850's: At one time, Grey County was virgin forest. "When Walter Laidlaw arrived in this district, he took up from the crown 200 acres; lots nine and ten, concession eleven of Bentinck township and started in to make a home." Thanks to Doris Shumaker (May 31, 1930 - December 25, 2023) for sharing family history.
Welcome to the West Bentinck Presbyterian (Pioneer) Cemetery Story
Rev. Donna Mann
THE CHURCH
THE COMMUNITY BEGINS
Home Restoring Respect and Honour of the Pioneers Cemetery Service Information: 2015
Thanks to Lamlash WIF72 Volume 2 Bentinck,
The building was later moved to Elmwood and developed into the community library.
In religion, the Laidlaws were Presbyterian. The first services were only held occasionally; conducted by a missionary, then a student minister had charge for the summer months. The services were held on Sunday in Andrew Storer's barn on the 11th concession. Finally there were enough people to organize a congregation and they decided to build a church. The lot for the church and cemetery were donated by Andrew Storar on the north end of his lot on sidereal #10. The church was built half way between concession nine and ten, the most central location. The building was frame with clapboard siding. The floor, seats and pulpit were pine. The walls had wainscoting, four feet high from the floor, then balance of plaster. The shingles for the roof were made by hand, mostly from cedar and pine. The church was named the West Bentinck Presbyterian Church.
(Doris Shumaker family history)
THE CEMETERY
A beautiful picture of the cemetery the way it was at the Centennial in 1971.
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NOTICE: DUE TO WEATHER CONDITIONS, DONNA MANN, CHAIR OF CEMETERY RESTORATION COMMITTEE INVITES YOU TO THE REDEDICATION SERVICE AT GENEVA PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 3:00 P.M. AT CHESLEY, ONT.
2015 West Bentinck Presbyerian Pioneer Cemetery (right side)
