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Pioneering Pride in Otterville.

21/2/2016

 

A quiet cemetery preserves centuries of history in Otterville, Ontario and has a very special connection to the Underground Railroad in Canada.

Farmer's field and tractor, Oxford County.
Farmer's field, Oxford County.
Otterville is a tiny village in the southern Ontario district of Oxford County - a village whose small size conceals a huge amount of history.  

Otterville's mild climate, fine stock of timber, and easy access to transportation routes, combined with incredibly fertile farmland, made Oxford County very attractive to a diverse group of early settlers. ​Many of these pioneers would soon call Otterville their home. A mill, a blacksmith shop, and eventually a rail station would all come to thrive in this prosperous community but in the early years, Otterville was serving a different kind of rail network.
Hay bales Oxford County Ontario
Among the diverse settlers of Oxford County, Ontario, were a large group of Quakers. Quakers, in both Canada and the United States, played an important role in the Underground Railroad, helping to bring enslaved African Americans to areas of greater freedom.

In 1829, just 22 years after Otterville was first settled, Quakers were actively encouraging newly arrived former slaves, as well as free African American families, to settle in the area and take advantage of the fertile land that was proving so prosperous. The newly settled community thrived and founded the African Methodist Episcopal Church in 1856, which served residents for over 30 years.

Today, Otterville is a smaller, quieter village that seems quite removed from it's early years as an agricultural boom town. But thanks to the tireless work of local individuals and organizations like the South Norwich Historical Society, the cemetery has been preserved and restored, one of the few Underground Railroad cemeteries in Ontario to survive to the present day. 
African Methodist Episcopal Cemetery Otterville Ontario
The sign post marks the original enterance to the cemetery.
Visiting a cemetery might seem like a very peculiar and even a bit of a morbid travel activity and, in theory, I somewhat agree. Who enjoys looking at gravestones? Turns out the answer is me! There's just something so intriguing about all the history represented and I find many cemeteries to be very peaceful environments.

Otterville's African Methodist Episcopal Cemetery is no exception. Set among farmers's fields and thick woodlands, it's a beautiful, quiet, reflective spot that l suspect looks very similar to when it was first established over 150 years ago.
Gravestones Otterville Ontario Cemetery
South Norwich Historical Society commemorative plaque
I love reading tombstone inscriptions and studying the carvings. They can be very elaborate in large city cemeteries but in Otterville the historical society has opted for more modest, flat tombstones to mark the location of the graves. The names which correspond to each site are long lost, and so each stone carries a simple carving of a candle. 

The candle is a fitting symbol of hope and has an especially poignant connection to Otterville. Many of the former slaves who settled here would have been guided to Canada by flickering candle lights in the windows of the Underground Railroad's "stations", private homes of Quakers and other abolitionists who provided shelter and assistance. If you're interested in Underground Railroad travel, Otterville is a must-visit location. 
 Ontario Ministry of Citizenship and Culture.
The site is marked with plaques from the Ontario Ministry of Citizenship and Culture.
The African Methodist Episcopal Cemetery is a testament to the incredible journey and struggles endured by the American slaves who came to Canada. It serves as a fond remembrance and tribute for their lasting legacy of community building. It's also an indirect tribute to the hospitality of the Quaker people, who often stared down serious risks to answer the call of abolitionist work and contribute the farming community that has built Oxford County up to what it is today.

Otterville's special history truly makes it one of a kind but what I liked best about my short visit is that I was reminded of how many places there are like Otterville all around the world; small towns and tiny villages with a rich historical legacy lying just below the surface.
​


If you enjoyed this article, you'll also like:
Where to Eat in Oxford County
Small Town Sweetness in Ingersoll
The Art of Camping in the Rain at Pittock Conservation 


Our visit to Otterville  was facilitated in part by Oxford County Tourism and we thank them for their support.
Marc Smith link
6/4/2016 02:27:48 pm

I love cemeteries for all the history and connections they represent to our past and future.

Vanessa
6/4/2016 04:24:52 pm

I feel the same way.

Arnette link
6/4/2016 04:43:57 pm

Wow I never knew about the Quakers in Canada. That's super interesting. Thanks for sharing this post!

Vanessa
6/4/2016 05:28:18 pm

I'm so glad you enjoyed it!

Helen link
6/4/2016 07:24:11 pm

Great story. I love learning something new about Canada. Thanks for the history lesson.

Vanessa
14/4/2016 12:09:59 pm

My pleasure!

Doreen Pendgracs link
10/4/2016 09:52:40 pm

I am inspired by the rich history of Otterville, and hope that I will have the opportunity to visit one day.

Vanessa Chiasson
14/4/2016 12:10:22 pm

I hope you get there soon.

Sandy Allen link
10/4/2016 09:57:51 pm

Loved reading this! I don't usually make a habit of visiting cemeteries while on vacation (or at any time for that matter!), but I did visit a cemetery in Vancouver while on vacation there once. It was to find the graves of my grandparents. It was a special visit but also a very interesting one. I found myself checking out all the gravestones and admiring the beauty of the cemetery itself.

Vanessa
14/4/2016 12:11:19 pm

It's always a special feeling when you discover a name related to your family, even if it's just coincidence.


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