Michael Fortune Cemetery
Robert Ripley (d 3 Nov 1865 aged 54) son of William Ripley and Hannah Coates and his wife Rebecca Vickery (d 23 Apr 1903 aged 85 years)
Robert Ripley and Rebecca Vickery, my 2nd great grandparents, are buried on the far left hand side of the cemetery relative to the Michael Fortune Cemetery sign and near the back. Robert's stone has broken into two pieces and is lying in the grass but it is readable. The top of Rebecca's stone is broken off but the rest is still standing. According to his death record, Robert died of paralysis at a relatively young age. His wife Rebecca lived another 38 years and is listed as the head of the household in census records from 1871 until her death. (see Timeline)
Robert Ripley and Rebecca Vickery, my 2nd great grandparents, are buried on the far left hand side of the cemetery relative to the Michael Fortune Cemetery sign and near the back. Robert's stone has broken into two pieces and is lying in the grass but it is readable. The top of Rebecca's stone is broken off but the rest is still standing. According to his death record, Robert died of paralysis at a relatively young age. His wife Rebecca lived another 38 years and is listed as the head of the household in census records from 1871 until her death. (see Timeline)
James Coates Ripley (d 2 Dec 1878 aged 75 years) brother of Robert Ripley (1810-1865) and son of William Ripley and Hannah Coates
Rachel Vickery (d 9 Sept 1882 aged 70 years) sister of Rebecca Vickery
James Coates Ripley is buried next to his brother Robert Ripley (1810-1865) on the left and Rachel Vickery is buried next to her sister Rebecca on the right. Both James Coates Ripley and Rachel Vickery lived with Robert's widow Rebecca after his death (see Timeline) and neither married.
Rachel Vickery (d 9 Sept 1882 aged 70 years) sister of Rebecca Vickery
James Coates Ripley is buried next to his brother Robert Ripley (1810-1865) on the left and Rachel Vickery is buried next to her sister Rebecca on the right. Both James Coates Ripley and Rachel Vickery lived with Robert's widow Rebecca after his death (see Timeline) and neither married.
Thomas Ripley (d 6 Sep 1886 aged 81) brother of Robert Ripley (1810-1865) and son of William Ripley and Hannah Coates and his wife Jane Bulmer (d 15 Nov 1889 aged 82). Also Thomas and Jane's son George W. Ripley (1844-1924) and his wife Leonora J. Scott (1855-1920).
William Coates Ripley (1851-1917) eldest son of Robert Ripley and Rebecca Vickery, his wife Cynthia Pipes (1852-1918), and memorial to their sons killed in action Robert Cecil Ripley (1880-1918) and Raymond Jonathan Ripley (1894-1917).
Robert Cecil was killed in action at Passchendaele on October 30, 1917 and is buried in the Tyne Cot Cemetery in Belgium. According to the Canadian Great War Project website, Raymond Jonathan died May 3, 1917 and he is buried at the Vimy Ridge Memorial in France. He died in an attack north of Fresnoy, was missing and presumed dead.
Also buried at Michael Fortune Cemetery but not pictured are daughter Mary Cynthia Ripley (1883-1927), an infant daughter (1886-1886), and a son William (1890-1892).
Robert Cecil was killed in action at Passchendaele on October 30, 1917 and is buried in the Tyne Cot Cemetery in Belgium. According to the Canadian Great War Project website, Raymond Jonathan died May 3, 1917 and he is buried at the Vimy Ridge Memorial in France. He died in an attack north of Fresnoy, was missing and presumed dead.
Also buried at Michael Fortune Cemetery but not pictured are daughter Mary Cynthia Ripley (1883-1927), an infant daughter (1886-1886), and a son William (1890-1892).
James Crosscomb Ripley (1856-1934) son of Robert Ripley and Rebecca Vickery,
his wife Ada May Shipley (1862-1894), their son James Hedley Ripley (1891-1905) and their grandson James Edward Mills (1914-1916)
Ada died long before her husband James C. Ripley and also has a separate stone still standing. Ada and James lived with his mother Rebecca Vickery Ripley shortly after their marriage (see Timeline). Ada and James are mentioned in the Historical Record of the Posterity of William Black p. 63, "Ada May, the youngest daughter of James Shipley, was married to James Ripley, son of Robert Ripley, of Maccan, where they are farming and have one son Harold Garfield." Harold's son Art, my second cousin once removed, was a tremendous help in my research.
his wife Ada May Shipley (1862-1894), their son James Hedley Ripley (1891-1905) and their grandson James Edward Mills (1914-1916)
Ada died long before her husband James C. Ripley and also has a separate stone still standing. Ada and James lived with his mother Rebecca Vickery Ripley shortly after their marriage (see Timeline). Ada and James are mentioned in the Historical Record of the Posterity of William Black p. 63, "Ada May, the youngest daughter of James Shipley, was married to James Ripley, son of Robert Ripley, of Maccan, where they are farming and have one son Harold Garfield." Harold's son Art, my second cousin once removed, was a tremendous help in my research.
Alice R. Ripley (1865-1930) the youngest child of Robert Ripley and Rebecca Vickery, her husband Howard Andrew Ripley (1868-1957) and three infant children.
Alice, born in the year of her father Robert's death, lived with her mother Rebecca until she married at the age of 30. After Rebecca's death, sister Esther lived with Alice and Howard until her death in 1928. (see Timeline and Esther's Obituary). Alice's husband Howard Andrew Ripley was the son of Rufus Webb Ripley (1846-1931) and Sarah R. Ripley (1845-1911) who are buried in Fenwick Cemetery. Alice and Howard had 4 surviving children.
Alice, born in the year of her father Robert's death, lived with her mother Rebecca until she married at the age of 30. After Rebecca's death, sister Esther lived with Alice and Howard until her death in 1928. (see Timeline and Esther's Obituary). Alice's husband Howard Andrew Ripley was the son of Rufus Webb Ripley (1846-1931) and Sarah R. Ripley (1845-1911) who are buried in Fenwick Cemetery. Alice and Howard had 4 surviving children.
Esther L. Ripley (1862-1928) and Phebe I. Ripley (Sept 24, 1853-Oct 3, 1907) daughters of Robert Ripley and Rebecca Vickery are also buried in Michael Fortune Cemetery very close to their parents.
Joseph Harrison (8 March 1809-26 Jan 1902 Age 92) and Jane E. Ripley (June 1815-29 May 1899 Age 83), Matthew L. Harrison (1851-4 Oct 1858 age 7, and infant children
Joseph Harrison was the son of William Harrison (1770-1831) and Jane Coates (1777-1853). Joseph's wife, Jane E. Ripley, was the daughter of William Ripley and Hannah Coates. Since Jane Coates and Hannah Coates were both daughters of Thomas Coates, Joseph Harrison and Jane E. Ripley were first cousins. Jane was the sister of Robert Ripley, James Coates Ripley, and Thomas Ripley who are buried nearby. A very small square gravestone marks the graves of Matthew L. Harrison and other unnamed infant children of Joseph and Jane.
Joseph Harrison was the son of William Harrison (1770-1831) and Jane Coates (1777-1853). Joseph's wife, Jane E. Ripley, was the daughter of William Ripley and Hannah Coates. Since Jane Coates and Hannah Coates were both daughters of Thomas Coates, Joseph Harrison and Jane E. Ripley were first cousins. Jane was the sister of Robert Ripley, James Coates Ripley, and Thomas Ripley who are buried nearby. A very small square gravestone marks the graves of Matthew L. Harrison and other unnamed infant children of Joseph and Jane.
Location:
From Amherst, head south on Albion Street, also known as Trunk 2 South, continuing past the shopping mall. After crossing Highway 104, turn right onto NS Hwy 302 South which goes through Nappan and Maccan. You will pass the Nappan Methodist Cemetery on your left. The Michael Fortune Cemetery is a short distance further south on the right, roughly in the vicinity of the house at 3656 Hwy 302. The cemetery is quite small with many trees but close to the road. Parking is easier on the side of the road opposite the cemetery. The distance from Amherst is approximately 12k and takes about 15 minutes. This cemetery is very interesting and peaceful but long pants, socks, closed shoes, and mosquito repellent are a must as it's rarely mowed.
From Amherst, head south on Albion Street, also known as Trunk 2 South, continuing past the shopping mall. After crossing Highway 104, turn right onto NS Hwy 302 South which goes through Nappan and Maccan. You will pass the Nappan Methodist Cemetery on your left. The Michael Fortune Cemetery is a short distance further south on the right, roughly in the vicinity of the house at 3656 Hwy 302. The cemetery is quite small with many trees but close to the road. Parking is easier on the side of the road opposite the cemetery. The distance from Amherst is approximately 12k and takes about 15 minutes. This cemetery is very interesting and peaceful but long pants, socks, closed shoes, and mosquito repellent are a must as it's rarely mowed.
Sources:
Hill, Susan A.. Some Cumberland County Nova Scotia Cemeteries, 1997. Book available for purchase through the Cumberland County Genealogical Society. Provides a complete inventory of all the graves in the Michael Fortune Cemetery, including Ripley graves not pictured here, and a helpful map of their locations.
Hill, Susan A.. Some Cumberland County Nova Scotia Cemeteries, 1997. Book available for purchase through the Cumberland County Genealogical Society. Provides a complete inventory of all the graves in the Michael Fortune Cemetery, including Ripley graves not pictured here, and a helpful map of their locations.