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"Our Ancestors and Their Descendants"

presented by:
Susan and Barry Reynolds

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History of Craigvale and Stroud

Death and Burial in Olden Days

It was at a home in the country. Crepe hung on the door signifying a death in the home. Someone sat up all night.

Black bordered cards were placed in the post office, stores and other places announcing the name and age of the deceased and the time and place of the funeral.

It was June in 1900 and eight miles from the cemetery. Thirty one vehicles were in the solemn cortege. It was led by the minister, the doctor, then the hearse and the pall bearers riding in a democrat, then mourners and friends. The horses usually walked but occasionally they trotted a short distance. The hearse had three black plumes on each side of the top and one on each of the horse's heads. The black horses were draped with fly nets including the heads. Black was used for an adult and white for a child. The pall bearers wore crepe on their hats and streamers on one arm and black gloves.

In the church adjoining the cemetery, a service was held with a message of consolation and hope. To live in hearts we leave behind is not to die. The quiet countryside bringing to mind the words of the psalmist, "The heavens declare the glory of God and the firmament showeth His handiwork."

After a death, as a sign of mourning the men wore a band of crepe on their hats and on one arm. The women wore black dresses, often of cashmere trimmed with crepe. A widow wore a black crepe bonnet with a white frill showing from under-neath the front edge and a pleated veil hanging down in back reaching to the waist. Black bordered note paper and envelopes were used and handkerchiefs with black borders, also black jewellery.

The undertaker had hardships. In the spring when the frost was coming out of the ground and in winter after a road had been shovelled by hand through drifts of snow.

In winter the grave had to be dug through snow and frozen earth and could not be properly filled in until spring.

-by Miss Mary Goodfellow

Navigation Aid: History of Craigvale and Stroud

This section contains material collected by Jeanne Groce about the history of Stroud and Craigvale. It contains "information collected from libraries, books, newspapers, the Centennial History of Innisfil, Historical Revue, word of mouth, and anywhere else I could find it." Reference to the source of the material is given where possible.

Many thanks to all who have contributed names, dates, photographs and stories. Corrections are always welcome.
Our research is ongoing and the validity of the information presented should be judged by the quality of our sources.

Our study includes our ancestors and their descendants (our cousins) and our cousins' spouses and their parents. The parents of our cousins' spouses will show as "A descendant is related to Susan or Barry" and their other children will not be included unless they are connected to our family.

Last Updated
June 4, 2023

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