Donegal Cemetery - Donegal, ON

Donegal Cemetery is one of only two active cemeteries in North Perth, Ontario. It is a small cemetery nestled along a farmer's field off a small highway. I first noticed it's old metal, arched sign reading 'Donegal Cemetery' - this style of sign is my favourite found at old cemeteries. I noted that the cemetery was established in 1862 and there was a dedication to the pioneers who had settled Donegal and lived in the area. A plaque, monument or other form of remembrance to the pioneers is a common thing to see when visiting older cemeteries. 

The cemetery is lined with pine trees and the headstones are all plotted in uniform lines, home to over 700 monuments. Too often at older cemeteries it appears that the headstones have been scattered about, but this cemetery was organized and very well maintained. These headstones were also mostly newer and made of granite with a smaller amount of them being original marble. 

One name that I kept coming across was the name 'Buchanan'. After some research at home I discovered that there were more than 60 headstones baring that family name, which I thought was remarkable for such a small cemetery. 

I took a particular interest in the headstone shown above, as it had a number of symbols carved into the top.  The far left symbol I recognized easily to be the sign of the Freemasons, but it as the symbol on the far right that caught my eye. In my experience outside of cemeteries an upside down star represented a pentagram, usually associated with evil or various magic-based practices. So understandably I was surprised to see it on a headstone in a cemetery. Upon further investigation, I learned that is a symbol of  the Order of the Eastern Star, an approved offshoot of the Masonic practice that is open to both men and women, founded in 1850. The headstone shown above in Donegal Cemetery belongs to Arthur and Marie Blackwell. Arthur lived to the very respectable age of 94, while his wife, Marie, lived to be 98. 

The headstone shown above was eye-catching to me as it was covered in deep yellow, rust-coloured lychans. It was the only headstone in the cemetery this saturated with them and it's bright colour could be seen from across the cemetery. It always find it interesting how the lychans favour the dips in the stone where the inscriptions are, sinking in to the outlines of the names and words on headstones.

There were a number of marble headstones that look to have been cleaned. This one in particular was cleaned so well that you could see the veins running through the marble on the sides of the monument. 

I thought this headstone was particularly beautiful with its fading picture carving beginning to fade. The picture has a stone pillar archway with open gates and a dove, likely representing heaven and going through heaven's gates. The book on the top of the headstone symbolizes an open bible. Both show the significance of their religion to Robert and Annie Henry, the owners of this headstone. 

Thanks for reading..and happy headstone hunting 🪦🌤️