Written By Brian Huis
Cemeteries can serve as public parks, providing green spaces and a sense of place as well as cultural and historical context for local communities. Many graveyards, particularly older rural cemeteries, were planned with park-like features, offering manicured lawns and artistic memorials that attract visitors for both leisure, recreation and reflection.
In this vein, descendants, neighbours and the general public are cordially invited to attend the Simpson Cemetery in the Municipality of Southwest Middlesex on Sunday, July 27, 2025. Come and pay your respects and tell stories about ancestors and former acquaintances buried there.
The memorial is scheduled from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Early arrivals are welcome for anyone intending to enjoy an old-fashioned picnic lunch on a blanket under the shade of the massive White Oak “heritage” tree at the entrance to the cemetery. It is a chance to tell your kids about their ancestors before the program gets started in earnest. Why not bring flowers to place at graveside or tape a copy of a forebear’s portrait onto a gravestone?
A highlight of the memorial will be a graveside recognition ceremony for Nicholas Bodine, a veteran of the War of 1812. During that conflict, Bodine served as a private in the 2nd Company, 1st Regiment of the Norfolk Militia.
Bodine fought in the Battle of Lundy’s Lane on July 25, 1814, in which militiamen, together with British regulars, fought against the Americans. Born in 1788 in Pennsylvania, United States, Bodine moved to Upper Canada in 1811 at the age of 23.
He married Charlotte Sovereign in 1822 and over the following 21 years they had eight children. In 1830, Nicholas Bodine purchased and worked 50 acres of farm land in Mosa Township, Middlesex County. He passed away on October 21st of 1885 in his 97th year and was buried in the Simpson Cemetery alongside his wife.
His obituary in the Glencoe Transcript, November 5th, 1885, page 4, reads:
“The funeral of Nicholas Bodine, of Mosa, took place on Friday, 23rd. Mr. Bodine was born in the year 1788, and was therefore ninety-seven years of age. He was one of the early pioneers of Canada, and was at the battle of Lundy’s Lane, and did active service through the war of 1812, for which he annually received a pension. Deceased was a supporter of the Reform Government and a member of the Regular Baptist church for over fifty years. The esteem in which he was held was testified to by the large concourse of friends who assembled to pay the last tribute of respect to one so aged and beloved.”
It has been rumoured that the “spirit” of Nicholas Bodine might possibly make an appearance during the memorial to speak about aspects of his life. The idea of honouring Nicholas Bodine was put forward by Harold Carruthers, Official Historian with the Glencoe & District Historical Society, and also a United Empire Loyalist descendant and member of the United Empire Loyalists Association of Canada.
Mr. Carruthers was familiar with the National War of 1812 Veteran Gravesite Recognition Project. That undertaking was initiated by the Historic Military Establishment of Upper Canada, a not-for-profit charitable volunteer organization based in Penetanguishene, Ontario. After confirming research, graves are marked with a granite plaque so all Canadians can honour War of 1812 veterans’ service to Canada.
We will learn about the history of the Simpson Cemetery and hear stories about some of the cemetery’s “residents”. We will learn how to do a gravestone rubbing, clean and care for gravestones, and how to repair a broken grave marker.
The Simpson Cemetery is surrounded by serene and picturesque farm fields and Carolinian Forest. It is located at 21563 Pratt Siding Road (Middlesex County Road 76), in the Municipality of Southwest Middlesex. The cemetery is situated between River Drive and the Thames River, approximately two kilometres south of Longwoods Road (Middlesex County Road 2), and 11 kilometres north of West Lorne. Parking is available off Pratt Siding Road at the front of the cemetery, but visitors should consider car-pooling with friends and relatives.
Bring lawn chairs, a picnic blanket, lunch, hand sanitizer and sun protection (such as, sunscreen, hat, sunglasses and/or umbrella). This will be a “carry-in, carry-out” waste free event, so bring your own reusable food and beverage containers, and remove all trash and litter when you leave. A portable toilet will be on site.
This memorial is hosted by members of the Glencoe & District Historical Society who visit a different cemetery every year. This year, the Simpson Descendants Circle, Micheline Champagne-Johnston, Wanda Simpson, Wendy Bestward, Jan Simpson, Dennis Simpson, Mary Simpson, and Brian Huis, have joined in to give the event an interesting twist.
Bring your own picnic; water and soft drinks will be provided. Details at https://glencoehistoricalsociety.ca/event/2445/
There is no rain date. In the event of inclement weather, check the Glencoe & District Historical Society Facebook page for adjustments or cancellation.
The event is sponsored by the Glencoe & District Historical Society, and supported by Ryan Tuer, Scary Gnome Productions & Recording SG Studios, near Woodgreen. The Simpson Cemetery is managed and maintained by the Municipality of Southwest Middlesex.
