The Old Burial Ground is referred to by many names, most commonly the Loyalist Burial Grounds. The leafy, peaceful and park-like area is the final resting place of some of Saint John’s earliest settlers – including many Americans loyal to the British crown, who emigrated from the United States during and after the American Revolutionary War (1775–1783). The earliest gravestone is that of Coonradt Hendricks, dated July 13, 1784. The Old Burial Ground was carefully restored by the Irving family in 1995, in memory of the late K.C. Irving (1899-1992), founder of the Irving group of companies.
Land acknowledgement
The Saint John Region is situated on the traditional territory of the Wolastoqiyik, Mi’Kmaq, and Peskotomuhkati Nations. This territory is covered by Peace and Friendship Treaties signed with the British Crown in the 1700s. The treaties recognized the significant and meaningful role of the Wolastoqiyik, Mi’Kmaq, and Peskotomuhkati in this province and the country with the intent to establish a relationship of trust and friendship.
Envision Saint John: The Regional Growth Agency pays respect to the elders, past and present, and descendants of this land, and is committed to moving forward in the spirit of truth, collaboration, and reconciliation.
