River Philip Cemetery
The well-kept River Philip Cemetery surrounds the River Philip United Church on 3 sides. According to Andrew P. Bankhouse in All Mines and Great Pines, p. 9, there are 3 sections of the cemetery. The first section, containing stones dating from the 1800's was donated by Methodist Minister John Black and his wife Barbara Donkin. The second section was donated by G. W. McLellan around 1972 and the W.B. Wells Foundation made it possible to purchase a third section in 1996. The W. B. Wells Foundation has also made it possible to begin restoration work on a number of stones in the cemetery. Many thanks to the small group of local residents who work so hard to preserve the heritage of River Philip. There are many graves in the River Philip Cemetery and I have included only the few that are mentioned on the website.
John Black (23 Oct 1759-11 Jan 1829) and Barbara Donkin (16 May 1767-19 Jun 1831)
John Black served as the Methodist Minister, Magistrate, Officer, and Physician of early River Philip. He received Lot 14 in the Yorkshire Land Grant. John's wife Barbara Donkin was the daughter of William Donkin. It's believed that John and Barbara are buried under the church; their stones are mounted on the wall to the left of the altar.
John Black served as the Methodist Minister, Magistrate, Officer, and Physician of early River Philip. He received Lot 14 in the Yorkshire Land Grant. John's wife Barbara Donkin was the daughter of William Donkin. It's believed that John and Barbara are buried under the church; their stones are mounted on the wall to the left of the altar.
William Donkin (Dunkin) (abt 1732-31 Oct 1811)
William Donkin was an early settler of the River Philip area and received Lot 18 in the Yorkshire Land Grant. William Donkin's gravestone was moved to River Philip United Church Cemetery from its original location, presumably on Lot 18. His daughter Barbara married Methodist Minister John Black and his daughter Margaret married Robert and Isabella Ripley's son John Ripley. William's son Thomas Donkin married Robert and Isabella's daughter Esther and they are also buried in the River Philip Cemetery. In 1793, Robert and Isabella sold their Lot 17 from the Yorkshire Land Grant to William Donkin.
William Donkin was an early settler of the River Philip area and received Lot 18 in the Yorkshire Land Grant. William Donkin's gravestone was moved to River Philip United Church Cemetery from its original location, presumably on Lot 18. His daughter Barbara married Methodist Minister John Black and his daughter Margaret married Robert and Isabella Ripley's son John Ripley. William's son Thomas Donkin married Robert and Isabella's daughter Esther and they are also buried in the River Philip Cemetery. In 1793, Robert and Isabella sold their Lot 17 from the Yorkshire Land Grant to William Donkin.
Thomas Donkin (1775-6 Nov 1831) and Esther Ripley (13 Aug 1780-19 May 1858)
Thomas was the son of William Donkin whose gravestone is pictured above. Esther was the daughter of Robert Ripley and Isabella Beane. Fortunately the gravestone of Thomas Donkin and Esther Ripley was the second stone to receive a cleaning thanks to the generosity of the W. B. Wells Foundation and the efforts of the local group who work hard to preserve the heritage of River Philip. This made it surprisingly easy to find and read considering its age. The stone is located behind the church in the oldest section.
Thomas was the son of William Donkin whose gravestone is pictured above. Esther was the daughter of Robert Ripley and Isabella Beane. Fortunately the gravestone of Thomas Donkin and Esther Ripley was the second stone to receive a cleaning thanks to the generosity of the W. B. Wells Foundation and the efforts of the local group who work hard to preserve the heritage of River Philip. This made it surprisingly easy to find and read considering its age. The stone is located behind the church in the oldest section.
George Oxley (died 13 April 1790)
George Oxley was an early settler of River Philip who received Lot 19 in the Yorkshire Land Grant. His death was the first recorded death of a Yorkshire settler in River Philip. George Oxley and his family were also passengers on the Providence along with Robert and Isabella Ripley. George Oxley was originally buried on Lot 19 near the corner of Windham Hill and Wyvern Roads and his stone was moved to River Philip United Church cemetery around 1960. When the stone was reseated in its new location the epitaph was buried. The epitaph is inscribed on the new stone "Death is a debt is natures due which I have paid and so must you."
George Oxley was an early settler of River Philip who received Lot 19 in the Yorkshire Land Grant. His death was the first recorded death of a Yorkshire settler in River Philip. George Oxley and his family were also passengers on the Providence along with Robert and Isabella Ripley. George Oxley was originally buried on Lot 19 near the corner of Windham Hill and Wyvern Roads and his stone was moved to River Philip United Church cemetery around 1960. When the stone was reseated in its new location the epitaph was buried. The epitaph is inscribed on the new stone "Death is a debt is natures due which I have paid and so must you."
Location of River Philip Cemetery
Take Highway 104 southeast from Amherst to the Oxford Exit number 6. Head south toward Oxford Junction and Collingwood on Wyvern Road, not north to Oxford. The church and cemetery are located at 2808 Wyvern Road.
Take Highway 104 southeast from Amherst to the Oxford Exit number 6. Head south toward Oxford Junction and Collingwood on Wyvern Road, not north to Oxford. The church and cemetery are located at 2808 Wyvern Road.
Sources and other information:
Barkhouse, Andrew P. All Mines and Great Pines: A History of Burials in River Philip, Nova Scotia., 1998 and 2000. This self-published book was given to me on my July 2014 trip by Eleanor Ripley-Barrow. I believe it is available for sale at the Cumberland County Museum in Amherst. The 20 page book includes a bit of history on the Yorkshire Land Grant, the early Methodist leaders and churches including the church at River Philip, and information about the Methodist cemetery at River Philip. Information about the symbolism on the gravestones is particularly interesting.
Keating, Murray L. Cemeteries of Cumberland County: River Philip, Collingwood-Wyvern, Williamsdale, Millvale, Rose. I purchased my copy of this book of cemetery transcriptions at the Cumberland County Genealogical Society. It will be very helpful to descendants of the original Robert Ripley through his son John.
Photographs of the plaque and George Oxley's grave are also available online at the Yorkshire Settlers 1772-1775 website.
Barkhouse, Andrew P. All Mines and Great Pines: A History of Burials in River Philip, Nova Scotia., 1998 and 2000. This self-published book was given to me on my July 2014 trip by Eleanor Ripley-Barrow. I believe it is available for sale at the Cumberland County Museum in Amherst. The 20 page book includes a bit of history on the Yorkshire Land Grant, the early Methodist leaders and churches including the church at River Philip, and information about the Methodist cemetery at River Philip. Information about the symbolism on the gravestones is particularly interesting.
Keating, Murray L. Cemeteries of Cumberland County: River Philip, Collingwood-Wyvern, Williamsdale, Millvale, Rose. I purchased my copy of this book of cemetery transcriptions at the Cumberland County Genealogical Society. It will be very helpful to descendants of the original Robert Ripley through his son John.
Photographs of the plaque and George Oxley's grave are also available online at the Yorkshire Settlers 1772-1775 website.