Transcribed from tombstone monuments by
Wendy Fisher
Donnahee and John W. Donnahee
&
Mae Hannah Fisher and Sherman R. Fisher
Located on the southern bank of the Buctouche River, the Coates Mills
United Church displays a corner stone dated 1885. The cemetery contains
burial sites, which are much older. One of the earliest readable monuments
is dated 1849. Many of the earlier monuments depict classic examples
of early cemetery art and symbolism such as the weeping willow tree motif.
The inscriptions have been recorded verbatim along with the epitaph and
stone carver’s name. Approximately seventy five percent of the burials
have monuments. The northwest corner of the cemetery has many burial
sites which are not marked or which contain fragments of stones that are
unreadable. The church was restored in 1996. Both the church
and cemetery are well maintained. Regular services are no longer
held, however a memorial service is conducted once a year. The Coates
Mills United Church is located on Coates Mills South Road. Church
records are available at the Maritime Conference Archives for the United
Church of Canada, Sackville, NB. The archive records are listed under
the original name of the community, which was Coatesville. The 1904
/ 1905 church records contain the first mention of the name change from
Coatesville to Coates Mills. Both names continue to appear in church
records well into the 1940’s. The church is under the pastoral charge of
Stilesville / McKee’s Mills, which encompasses the Buctouche, Little River
/ McKee’s Mill circuit. On June 10, 1925 the Methodist Church, Canada,
the Congregational Union of Canada and 70 per cent of the Presbyterian
Churches in Canada joined to form the United Church of Canada.
(The historical background and the bracketed text is additional information
provided by Wendy Fisher Donnahee)
ABRAHAM
John Abraham
Died Dec. 23rd, 1876
AE 77 yrs.
His wife
Jane Stableford
Died Dec. 3, 1849
AE. 50 Yrs
Epitaph: But thanks be to God, which
Giveth us the victory through
Our Lord Jesus Christ
1st Cor. 15 Chap. 57 Vers.
(Several other stones are leaning against this monument. All
are unreadable except one - see Coates, William Hedley V.)
ABRAMS
Elizabeth Abrams - See Coates, William Isaac
ALWARD
Lucy Alward - See Coates, John A.
ATKINSON
Jane Carruthers
Wife of
Edwin Atkinson
Died Mar. 20th, 1879.
AE. 48 yrs.
BOND
Unknown first name
Son of
John & Charity Bond
Died Feb. 23, 1887
Aged 2 years
(Flat broken marble stone lying on the ground, child’s first name and
epitaph is unreadable - northeast corner of the cemetery)
BROWN
Husband
J. Reginald Brown
1930 -
Wed Nov. 15, 1952
Wife
Margaret M. Fowler
1934-1992
Epitaph: “The Rose of Love Blooms Forever”
BUDD
Gertrude J. Budd - See Graves, Herbert H.
Peter Budd
Born Aug. 16, 1856
Died Mar. 15, 1935
Caroline Budd
Born Jun. 8, 1858
Died Mar. 27, 1932
(There are five distinct burial mounds with this stone -appears to
be a family burial plot)
BULL
Catherine Bull - See Sherwood, Richard
CARRUTHERS
Jane Carruthers - See Atkinson
COATES
Albert F. Coates 1865-1951
His wife
Susan K. Wathen 1864-1945
Alberta 1893-1923
Franklin 1913-1935
Charles W. Coates
1917 - 1938
(Flat marker)
First name unreadable Coates
(Flat bronze marker defaced - the first name and dates have been ground
out - Near Charles W. Coates 1917-1938 marker)
Deborah Coates - See Gallagher, Samuel H.
In Memory of
Edward Coates
Who Died
Dec. 9, 1881
Aged 66 Years
Epitaph: Far from the world of grief and sin
With God eternally shut in
Stone Carver: S. H. Gallagher
Our dear little
Edward T.
Died Oct. 5, 1891
Age 3 mo’s. 2 days
Albert F. & Susie Coates
Epitaph: ‘He gathered his lambs’
In memory of
Edward Thomas
Second son of
John E. & Sarah A. Coates
Died Sept. 12, 1887
Aged 15 years & 4 mos.
Epitaph: When we leave this world of changes
When we leave this world of care
We shall find our missing loved one
In our Father’s mansion fair.
Stone Carver: T. F. Sherard & Son
Emma A. Coates - See MacLean, Charles L.
George B. P. Coates
1852-1905
Children
Elbridge M. 1901-1905
Infant 1880-1880
His daughter
Althea E. 1883 - 1916
(Church records indicate that George B. P. Coates died on May 17, 1904.
As well, Elbridge M. is listed as “Elleridge” Manaton Coates. The
Index to Kent, Northumberland and Restigouche County Death Registers, 1888-1920
also list Elbridge M. Coates as “Elleridge” - See microfilm F16254.
Source PANB)
In Memory of
George Chesley
Youngest son of
Edward & Janet Coates
Died May 28, 1887
Age 27 yrs & 9 mos.
Epitaph: A mourning class, a vacant seat
Tell us that one we loved to meet
Will join our youthful throng no more
Till all the changing seenes are o’er
(Motif of pointing finger with ‘Yonder is My Home’ inscribed at the
top of the monument - very small upright marker inscribed G.C.C. at the
foot of the grave)
Grace Briggs Coates 1901 - 1932
Greta B. Coates
Wife of
Gordon H. Coates
Born 1889 Died 1965
(Flat marker)
Harry Gordon Coates
1885 - 1936
(Flat marker - beside the flat marker of Greta B. Coates)
James Taylor Coates
1904-1963
Hazel May Colpitts
1905-1994
(Flat marker)
In Memory of
James T.
Son of Edward & Jannat Coates
Who Died
April 16, 1869
Aged 20 Years & 11 Months
Epitaph: God my Redeemer lives,
And ever from the skies;
Looks down and watching o’er my dust
Till he shall bid it rise.
In Memory of
Janet Harris Tait
Beloved wife of Edward Coates
Who died
Jan. 21, 1908
Aged 85 years
In Memory of
John Coates
Who died
Oct. 28, 1864
Aged 83 Yrs.
Epitaph: Mark the perfect man and behold the upright
For the end of that man is peace
Stone carver: Thomas & Carter Dorchr.
John A. Coates 1895-1945
His wife
Lucy Alward 1897-1940
Sgt. John A. Coates
1895-1945
143 Battn. C-E-F
Epitaph: “Lest We Forget”
(Flat military marker at the foot of John A. Coates grave - See family
marker above for John A. & Lucy Alward Coates)
John B. Coates
1846-1903
In memory of
John Edward Coates
Died April 24, 1897
Aged 54 yr’s, 5 mo’s.
Epitaph: Sweetly sleep until the morning.
When our Lord shall raise the dead,
Then we’ll meet thee in the kingdom:
Where no farewell tears are shed.
Stone Carver: Sherrard & Son Moncton
John Wesley Coates
Born June 10, 1848
Died Nov. 21, 1925
Stella
1894-1936
Caroline Gesner
Wife of
John W. Coates
Born Mar. 15, 1856
Died May 12, 1912
Lizzie Maude
Born Feb. 14, 1886
Died June 7, 1904
Footstones:
Caroline Gesner J. Wesley Coates Stella
His wife
1856-1912 1848-1925 1894-1936
(Tall family monument inscribed on three sides. An original stone
for Lizzie Maude is also nearby, with the three footstones at the foot
of each respective grave)
In memory of
Joseph A. Coates
1854-1920
“God is Love”
In memory of
Lizzie Maude
Daughter of
J. W. & Caroline Coates
Died June 7, 1904
Aged 18 years, 3 mo’s.
Epitaph: “Gone but not forgotten”
Margaret
Wife of John Coates
Died Nov. 1861
Aged 75 Years
Stone Carver: A W Andres
In memory of
Martha A.
Wife of
Joseph A. Coates
Who died
April 9, 1894
Aged 35 years, 4 months
Epitaph: ‘One less on earth,
Its pains its sorrows and its toils to share;
One less the pilgrims daily cross to bear,
One more the crown of life to wear’
“At home in Heaven”
Stone Carver: Sherrard Moncton
In memory of
Nancy
Daughter of John & Margaret Coates
Who Died
March 25, 1866
Aged 56 Years
Stone Carver: T F Sherard
Nelson Coates
1874 - 1950
His wife
Sarah McGilvery
1884 - 1935
Etta M. 1905 - 1911
In Memory of
Rachel.
Wife of Henry Coates
Died June 20, 1870
In her 47 Year
Epitaph: Yet these, new rising from the tomb,
With luster brighter far shall shine;
Revive with ever-during bloom.
Safe from diseases and decline.
Stone Carver: T F Sherard,
Roy E. Coates
1899-1985
(Flat marker)
Sarah
Daughter of John & Margaret Coates
Died Nov. 22 1861
Aged 47 Years
Stone Carver: A W A
Sarah
Wife of
John B. Coates
Died Feb. 1, 1884
Aged 33 years
Their children
Matilda May
Died May 2, 1879;
Aged 4 years, 7 mos.
John Morrison
Died May 5, 1879
Aged 2 years 7 mo’s.
John B. Coates 1848 - 1903
Epitaph: “They sleep in Jesus and are blest.
His love dispels their gloom
How calm and peaceful in their rest.
With in their hallowed tomb.”
Sarah Coates - See MacLean, John
In memory of
Sarah Ann
Beloved wife of
John E. Coates
Who died Nov. 18, 1911
Aged 64 years
In Memory of
Thomas Coates
Died June 27, 1884
Aged 71 Years
Epitaph: Mat V. 9
Blessed are the peacemaker’s
For they shall be called the
Children of God,
Stone Carver: S. H. Gallagher
In Memory of
Tyle Coates
Who died
Nov. 24, 1891;
Aged 73 y’rs & 7 mo’s
Epitaph: Dearest Loved one we have laid thee,
In the peaceful graves embrace;
But thy memory we will cherish,
Till we see thee face to face
Stone Carver: T.F. Sherard & Son Moncton
William Hedley V.
Son of William & Elizabeth Coates
Died Oct. 14, 1862
Age 2 yrs & 11 ms.
Epitaph: “I’m a little angel now.
A diadem’s on my brow,
A golden harp is in my hand,
And with the holy throng I stand.”
(This is a broken stone, which is leaning against the base of the John
Abraham monument near the northwest corner of the cemetery)
William Isaac Coates
Died June 8, 1884
Aged 78 years
His wife
Elizabeth Abrams
Died Oct. 14, 1890
Aged 67 years
(Left side of monument)
Annie Alma Coates
Died July 1, 1920
Aged 64 years
(Front side of monument)
Althea E. Coates
Died May 2, 1916
Aged 23 years
(Right side of monument)
William P. Coates 1857-1937
His wife
Laura E. Graves 1870-1953
William T.
Son of William and Laura Coates
Died Oct’r 9, 1902
In his 10, year
Epitaph: He gathered his lambs
Stone Carver: Sherrard & Son Moncton
CLARK
Clark, Eva Pearl - See MacPherson, Laughlin
COLPITTS
Colpitts, Hazel May - See Coates, James Taylor
FISHER
Roy W. Fisher
Born 1907 - died April 2, 1985
His wife
Vera Graves
Born 1903 - Died July 1, 1989
FOWLER
Margaret M. Fowler - See Brown, J. Reginald
Maria Fowler - See Sprague, John
GALLAGHER
Samuel H. Gallagher 1840-1887
His wife
Deborah Coates 1849-1915
Their son
Thomas E. 1872-882
GESNER
Caroline Gesner - see Coates, John Wesley
Isaac Gesner
1825 - 1905
His Wife
Mary Ann
1830-1914
Their Daughter Lizzie
1861 - 1877
(Front side of monument)
Ezra J. Gesner 1854-1936
(Left side of monument)
Katie MacPherson Gesner
Born at Orwell, P.E.I.
1899-1942
Harvey W. Gesner
1864-1949
In Memory of
Lizzie
Youngest daughter of
Isaac & Mary A. Gesner
Died July 31, 1877
Aged 16 years & 6 mo’s
Epitaph: “In the midst of life we are in death.”
Stone Carver: T.F. Sherard & Son
(This stone is close to the family monument of Isaac, Mary Ann, Lizzie
and Ezra Gesner)
GRAVES
Gertrude J. Budd
1916-1968
Beloved wife of
Herbert H. Graves
1907 - 1976
James Oliver Graves 1856 - 1946
Mary Jane McLean 1866 - 1937
Warren 1893 - 1944
Hattie 1896 - 1917
Ada 1901 - 1915
Baby Twin 1901
Placed by granddaughter Mary Didychuk
Laura E. Graves - See William P. Coates
Lewis Willard Graves
1914-1992
Mary Janette Graves
1918 -
Vera Graves - See Fisher, Roy W.
HAZEN
James S. Hazen
1858-1918
Edna J. Hazen
1858-1929
JONES
Olevia J. Jones - See Maclean, Alexander
MACEACHERN
Euphemia MacEachern - See Sherwood, David R.
MACLEAN
Alexander MacLean
1875-1944
His wife
Olevia J. Jones
1877-1966
(Variant name - marriage certificate (num: 495, reference: B4/1902,
microfilm F15913) indicates the spelling of their names as Alexander McLean
and Olevia J. Jones. Death certificate (registration 48030 vol: 160,
microfilm F19389) indicates spelling of Alexander’s surname as MacLean.
Birth certificate of daughter, Edith Maud (microfilm F18906) list parents
names as Alexander McLean and Olivia Jones. Birth certificate of
son, George Gardener list parents names as Alexander MacLean and Olevia
Jane Jones - source: PANB).
Catherine MacLean - See Reid, John Robert
Charles L. MacLean
1861 - 1932
His Wife
Emma A. Coates
1869-1918
Wallace Hyatt
Son of
John & Sarah MacLean
Died Nov.4, 1919
Aged 27 years.
John MacLean Born Oct. 16, 1857
Died Feb. 22nd 1933
His wife
Sarah Coates
1863-1939
MACPHERSON
Katie Macpherson Gesner - See Gesner, Harvey W.
Laughlin MacPherson 1869-1960
His wife
Eva Pearl Clark 1890-1974
Robert MacPherson 1874-1943
Epitaph: He that heareth my word, and believeth on him
That sent me, hath everlasting life.
John 5:24
MCGILVERY
Sarah McGilvery - See Coates, Nelson
MCLEAN
In Memory of
Alexander McLean
Died July26, 1895
Aged 65 years
Epitaph: Be ye also ready for in such an hour
As ye think not the Son of man cometh
In Memory of
Angus McLean
Died May 13, 1897
Aged 62 Years
Stone Carver: Sherrard & Son
In Memory of
Beloved children of
Angus and Jane McLean
Maggie Mable
Died Apl. 3rd, 1880
Aged: 3 yr’s, 13 day’s.
George A.G.
Died Jan. 30, 1880
AE. 9 mos.
Harland S.
Died Apl. 1, 1882
AE. 1 yr. 5 mo’s.
Epitaph: Side by side in Heaven’s bright region,
Three sweet angel’s sing and soar’
Welcome by the host of Heaven,
There to dwell for ever more.
In Memory of Donald G. or C. McLean
Died Aug. 12, 1900
Aged 67 years
Epitaph: Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God - Matt
V.8
(Next to the this monument is a monument with the surface broken away.
Part of the inscription appears to be 1879 son of ______ & Catherine
McLean’)
Ellen McLean - See McPherson, Robert
In memory of Flora
Wife of
Laughlin McLean
Who died
Aug. 1, 1902
Aged 66 years.
Kenneth Earle
Born Aug. 17, 1907
Died Mar. 8, 1908
Son of
William & Edith McLean
(Church records indicate that Kenneth Earle McLean died on March 6,1908
and was buried March 8, 1908)
In memory of Laughlin McLean
Died Nov. 22, 1899
Aged 71 years
Epitaph: Dearest Father thou hast left us.
Here thy loss we deeply feel;
But ‘tis God who hath bereft us.
He can all our sorrows heal.
Stone Carver: Sherrard & Son
Children of Laughlin & Flora McLean
Angus
Died Nov. 30, 1887:
Aged 19 years
Kitty Jane
Died Jan. 20, 1889:
Aged 23 years
Erected by their Brother, Charles
Epitaph: “Resting in the hope of a glorious resurrection.”
Stone Carver: T. F. Sherrard & Son Moncton
(Motif of pointing finger with ‘Yonder is My Home’ inscribed at the
top of the monument)
Daughters of Laughlin & Flora McLean
Ellen
Born June 8, 1865
Died Aug. 4, 1894
Sarah
Born Oct. 1, 1872
Died July 22, 1914
Stone Carver: Sherrard
(Motif of pointing finger with ‘Yonder is My Home’ inscribed at the
top of the monument)
Mary Jane McLean - See Graves, James Oliver
In Loving Memory of
Nancy McLean
Daughter of
Laughlin & Flora McLean
Died Oct. 1, 1940
Aged 80 Years
Children of William & Edith McLean
John Price
Born Oct. 22, 1917
Died Dec. 31, 1918
Edith Gertrude
Born Aug. 23, 1915
Died Jan 2, 1919
William W. McLean 1870-1936
His wife
Edith Price 1877-1953
MCPERHSON
Robert McPherson
1823-1907
His Wife
Ellen McLean
1829-1913
PRICE
Edith Price - See McLean, William W.
REID
John Robert Reid
1857-1919
Albert J. 1886 - 1918
Jennie 1894 - 1895
(Front side of monument)
Wife
Catherine MacLean
Born 1856
Died Apr 20, 1949
(Right side of monument)
(Flat markers ‘Mother’ and ‘Father’ at the foot of the grave)
SHERWOOD
In memory of
Annie S.
Died Jan. 20, 1891
Aged 18 Years & 6 Mos.
Margaret A.
Died June 28, 1895
Aged 18 Yrs & 4 Mos.
Daughters of Ebenezer & Emma Sherwood
Stone Carver: S B Andres
(Open book inscribed “Holy Bible” above Annie’s name and two clasped
hands with the word “Farewell” inscribe above Margaret’s name)
David Sherwood
Died 1876
Aged 79 Yrs
David R. Sherwood 1829-1911
His wife
Euphemia MacEachern 1839 - 1913
Richard Sherwood 1793 - 1863
His wife
Catherine Bull 1798-1883
Daniel Sherwood 1830 - 1860
Eleanor Sherwood 1929-1930
(There appears to be only three burial mounds for this monument.
Family history indicates that Richard Sherwood 1793-1883, his wife Catherine
Bull 1798-1883 and Daniel Sherwood 1830-1860 were buried at their homestead,
which is nearby in Coates Mills. One large monument is still standing within
a cluster of fir trees, at the Sherwood homestead. The monument is
unreadable. There is evidence of what appear to be three burial mounds
in a row. The stone and burial mounds are facing east. In honour
of their memory, a descendant added their names to the family monument
at Coates Mills Cemetery).
John J. Sherwood 1823-1903
His wife
Matilda Smith 1824-1900
(Flat marker, with two very small upright markers on either side of
the flat marker appear to be the original markers)
R. Barry Sherwood 1888-1945
GRV, May 2000
(Flat marker)
SMITH
Matilda Smith - See Sherwood, John J.
SOWERBY
Children of William and Agnes
John William
Apl. 30, 1873
AE. 14 yr’s, 5 mos
(Front side monument)
Robert Doherty
Apl. 7, 1878
AE. 2 yr’s & 2 mos
(Left side of monument)
Agnes McLean (right side of monument)
Died May 10, 1878
AE.’ 5 mo, & 13 d.
(Right side of monument)
Epitaph: Suffer Little Children
Come unto me
Mark Ch. 10 V.14
SPRAGUE
Hazen Sprague 1862-1891
His wife
Mary Jane 1866-1937
Their son
George 1887-1904
Placed by John and Julia’s children
In Memory of
James W. Sprague
Who Died
29th June 1866
Aged 26 Years
Epitaph: “Here lies the dust of the one we love,
His spirit gone to God above,
So now my friend do not dispair
Although on earth we meet no more
O may we meet at God’s right hand
In robes of purity to stand,
To meet him there may we prepare.”
(Marble footstone lying on the base of the monument inscribed ‘J.W.S.’)
John Sprague
Died Apl. 11, 1878
AE. 58 yrs
(Front side of monument)
Maria Fowler
1829-1902
(Left side of monument)
Raymond Sprague 1928
Son of John & Julia
STABLEFORD
Jane Stableford - See Abraham, John
STILES
‘Baby’
(Small flat diamond shaped marble stone in south east corner of the
cemetery near Graves’s monument - this is the infant child of Ben and Marjorie
(Hannington) Stiles)
In memory of
Spurgeon J. Stiles
Who died Feb, 15, 1923
Aged 57 Yrs, 10 m’s.
Epitaph: Sleep on dear Father thy labours o’er
Thy willing hands can do no more
The midnight star shines o’er thy grave
Of one we loved but could not save.
TAIT
Janet Harris Tait, w/o Edward Coates - See Coates
UNKNOWN
‘Baby’
(Small flat marble stone in the northeast corner of the cemetery near
Hazen monument)
‘E.C.’
(Small upright marker directly behind the monument of John Edwin Coates)
‘E.T.C.’
(Small upright marble marker in the northeast corner of the cemetery)
‘Father’ & ‘Mother’
(Near the foot of the Hazen monument in the northeast corner of the
cemetery, although they do not appear to belong the Hazen burial)
‘J.T.C’
(Small marker at the foot of the monument of Edward Thomas, second
son of John and Sarah A. Coates)
M.M.
G.A.C.
H.S.
MCLEAN
(Small stone three rows of initials directly behind the monument of
William T. Coates)
UNMARKED BURIALS
Mrs. Henry Coates - June 4, 1922
Age: 78 years
Residence: Coatesville (Born at PEI)
Mrs. Collins - February 4, 1894
Age: unknown,
Residence: Coatesville
Sarah J. Ferrill - January 16, 1916
Age: 70 years
Residence: Coatesville
Gladys Greta Stiles - November 6, 1921
Age: 8 years
Residence: Coatesville
Leonard L. Stiles - November 7, 1920
Age: 6 years
Residence: Coatesville
Viola Stiles - January 8, 1916
Age: 4 years
Residence: Coatesville
George Mansfield Styles - February 13, 1907
Aged: 2 mo’s
Residence: Coatesville
Harold V. Styles - June 30, 1919
Age: 9 years
Residence: Coatesville
(Information for unmarked burials was obtained from the Maritime Conference Archives, Sackville, NB. The church burial records cover only the period 1891 - 1937. The identities of all other unmarked burials outside of the period 1891-1937 are unknown.)
UNREADABLE
(Next to the monument of Donald G. or C. McLean is a monument with the surface broken away. Part of the inscription appears to be ‘ 1879 son of ____________ & Catherine McLean’)
WATHEN
Susan K. Wathen - see Coates, Albert F.