Stealing Hamilton: August 2012

Tuesday, 28 August 2012

courtyard

Behind a wood fence and through an open gate in a corner of the parking lot in front of the Marriott Hotel on Upper James Street can be found the cemetery for the Hess Street Synagogue. Why this cemetery is located roughly 5 miles away from the synagogue is a bit of a mystery, though they may have needed land that was unavailable in the lower city. This would have been a rural area at the time. One's first impression of the differences between this cemetery and the municipal and Christian cemeteries is that the plots are much closer together and all the markers face the same direction - towards the east. A second impression, on closer inspection, is that it is much more orderly with family members resting beside each other and not scattered throughout.

for a Taphophile Tragics at Hess Street Synagogue Cemetery

Tuesday, 14 August 2012

Sams

Irving Earl Sams was born, April 29, 1895 at Clarion, Iowa and died November 16, 1965 following a lengthy illness and failing health. Afteratending collegeand university he joined the United States Navy on April 7, 1917 during World War I, serving through April 30, 1919. After discharge from the service he was in the General Insurance business in Clarion until 1925. He joined Mill Owners Insurance Co. in 1925 being transferred to Hamilton, Ontario, Canada as General Manager in 1930. He continued his work with the company until retirement in 1956.

Irving and Kathryn Mae Keagy were married on September 4, 1919 at the bride's home in Independence Iowa, with Rev. Mackintosh Eppworth, grandfather of the bride performing the ceremony and Miss Margery Sams, Miss Mildred Oliff and Lawrence Lynn Sams as attendants. Two children were born to this union:

Joseph Reed Sams (Joe) was born, August 18, 1923 at Clarion, Iowa.

Henry Lee Sams was born August 28, 1929 at Clarion, Iowa.

Both sons would also end up in the insurance business in the Hamilton area, although with different companies.

for a Taphophile Tragics at the Waterdown Union Cemetery

Wednesday, 8 August 2012

General Brock

at Dundurn

Sir Isaac Brock's famous walk early in the War of 1812 from Toronto over an 8 day period to stop the American Invasion into Upper Canada is being retraced this week

Tuesday, 7 August 2012

outwork

a lesser trench or fortification built out beyond the main defences

The Hamilton Cemetery, on York Blvd, is on land once known as Burlington Heights and was the site of a strategic point of defence against the invading American forces during the War of 1812. Remnant of the ramparts can still be seen within the cemetery. Instead of erecting a plaque for the 100th anniversary, this marker was designed to blend in with the other grave markers in the cemetery.

for a Taphophile Tragics at Hamilton Cemetery