Recorded June 1991 by members of Kawartha Branch, Ontario Genealogical Society and revised again in September 2006 by June James of Kawartha Branch. 

This cemetery located on Lot 24 Concession 7 of Smith Township was established in 1866.  Prior to that date some thirty burials appear to have taken place, the earliest being that of Samuel Sanderson who died 15 September 1839.  The first burial in the cemetery records is that of Henry James Sherin who died 30 July 1864.

Additional land has been added over the years to the original four acres that were purchased in November of 1865 from Thomas Ray.  A sign within the cemetery gives the name as Ray's Cemetery.

The History of Lakefield Cemetery

1865 - 2000

The property was originally owned by Thomas and Mary Ray.  In 1865, they sold approximately 3 acres to a group of public spirited citizens who decided that a suitable non-denominational burial ground should be available for the needs of the growing community.

This group comprised the following 7 individuals:

William C. Nicholls, George P. Shield, John Sherin, Isaac Garbutt, Edward Beatty, Lewis Davis and Edward Sanderson.

Management and direction was entrusted to these individuals who, without remuneration, formed the Lakefield Cemetery Board of Trustees that cared for its operation.  When each of these members retired from the Board, they elected a replacement.  The Cemetery acquired operating capital by short term loans until there was adequate funds to be self sufficient.

By the turn of the century, the Lakefield Cemetery had enlarged to about 5 acres and was landscaped.  A wrought iron fence was erected by the highway in 1881, and maple trees were planted around its perimeter.  A well was dug in the center of the Cemetery to provide water for potted flowers the following year, and six years later, in 1888, a building was erected over the well to be used as a tool shed.  In that same year, a chapel was constructed at the south end of the Cemetery to conduct funeral services when no interments were done in the winter.

Rules and Regulations for lot owners were drafted and printed in 1905.  A windmill was erected to pump water throughout the Cemetery that same year, where it stood until 1965.  In 1907, an agreement was made with Peterborough County to set aside a section in the Cemetery to use for indigent burials.  During the 1970's, the administration of welfare moved from the County to the Municipality.  Twenty years later, Peterborough County still holds title to this area though the last burial was in 1971.

From its beginning, care and maintenance of the lots were charged to the to owners yearly, and the Board hired labourers as necessary.  In 1913, James Hurl was hired as the regular caretaker for the cemetery to reside in the house that is now on the North Side of the property.  When he retired in 1927, the job was given to Alfred Higgins.

During the late 1920's, between 1928 and 1932, 7 acres were purchased that extended the total area of the Cemetery to 12 acres.  A new plan was drawn up and graves were marked out in an area adjoining the "old" section.

From 1930, the Cemetery started collecting "Permanent Care".  Instead of billing the lot owners annually, an amount was collected to be set aside in trust, the interest on which would be used for the care and maintenance of the lots.

William Loyst was hired as caretaker in 1945, and saw hydro installed in the Cemetery house in 1951.  The following year, 1952, George Quackenbush was hired as caretaker.

Harry J. Hill, the Village Clerk of Lakefield, was appointed secretary-treasurer of the Lakefield Cemetery starting January 1, 1956.  In 1960 Harry was appointed secretary-manager of the Cemetery and took over supervising the work done in the cemetery by the caretaker and kept the Cemetery records.

In 1962, Stan Edwards was hired as the caretaker and in 1974, his wife, Joan, was appointed secretary-treasurer to replace Harry Hill.  They both tended the Cemetery until they retired in 1984.  The house was renovated in 1974, when the electrical was upgraded and a central hot air furnace and septic system were installed.  The remaining property was surveyed for future expansion in 1975.  Up until 1976, potted flower urns were prepared by Peterborough Floral.  Then the Cemetery purchased the greenhouse and looked after the planting and caring for the flowers.  An implement garage was constructed behind the greenhouse in 1982.

Doug and Arlene Parkin were hired to replace Stan and Joan in 1984.  In 1985 the cemetery purchased the adjoining 13 acres to the west of the Cemetery.  In 1987 the Cemetery joined the Ontario Association of Cemeteries.  In 1988 the greenhouse was enlarged to accommodate the steady growth of flower services, and a computer was purchased to assist in keeping the Cemetery records.  Over the next three years, using government assistance programs, every grave was verified with the written records and discrepancies were noted.  Lot owners were contacted to complete the information and everything was correlated into the computer.  In 1990 a separate cemetery office was constructed adjoining the house to provide a comfortable surrounding for visitors, and to display the items available for sale through the Cemetery.

The Provincial regulations governing cemeteries was revised in 1991.  The Cemetery Board passed new By-Laws that reflected the changes that this new legislation required.  One change required the contribution into the "Care and Maintenance Fund" be extended to include memorials that are placed into the Cemetery, the interest from this fund to be used to keep the monuments safe.

There is an increase in the number choosing cremation as a method of disposition, so in 1992 the Cemetery designated an area to be used for the construction of columbariums, the above ground structure used to house and memorialize cremated remains.  The first structure, completed that same year, is triangular in shape with 32 spaces on each of the three niche walls.  Each niche space is large enough to accommodate two urns, and is sealed with polished Impala Blue Granite which highlights the bronze marker used for memorialization.

The Lakefield Cemetery was pleased to introduce the first Scattering Garden in Peterborough County in 1999.  Cremated remains may be scattered in the beautifully landscaped Garden of Memories.  The Garden of Memories lectern was erected to be used for memorialization to remember those scattered.

A new area was developed for adult graves by four majestic Colorado Blue Spruce in 2000.  Called the "Spruce Hill" section, this pristine area is a prime location for traditional lots.