T H E C O V E N A N T E R
and Family Members Association. I am also one day I noticed the word Cameronians on
a member of the Royal Marines Historical one of the gravestones. I was at once drawn
Society. I collect military artifacts to both to read the stone in detail.
the R.M. and the Cameronians, and when The large, high quality granite stone is
possible, I do research in Canada on the
deeply carved with “In Memoriam Thomas
Royal Marines which was my own Corps.
Deacon. Born 1756 Died 1836 QW.M.S.
I have given several lectures in the USA
26th Regiment of Foot (Cameronians)
and Canada, and had a series of articles
Postmaster of Kingston 1808-1814”.
published on the Royal Marines, I also take
This former Cameronian is buried in
an active part in the activities of the Royal
a cemetery which contains many of the
Marines Association, of which I am also a
notables both military and civil of his day.
member.
I hope at some time in the future to be
Sir Robert Hall K.C.B. R.N. (Died 1818),
able to attend a parade of the Cameronians
Colonel Sir William Bonnycastle R.E. (he
in Scotland. In the meantime, I will be on
built Fort Henry at Kingston), Colonel F.S.
the look out for any other connection to
Tidy C.B. (Commanding Officer of the
the regiment here in Canada.
24th Foot), Colonel Colley F.F. Foster (Died
1843).
Sincerely yours
The cemetery also includes some who are
Alexander Craig buried as nameless ones, the parish register
(Ex RMR 205794) entries show “A Sailor”, “A Black boy” and
other entries show Negro slaves were buried
there.
A Proud Cameronians
I know little about Thomas Deacon’s
Gravestone
military service. However it seems entirely
possible he served with the regiment
In the university city of Kingston Ontario,
during the American Revolutionary War
near to the downtown core, stands 157
and after. If so, he would have been in
year old St Paul’s Anglican Church. The
Canada at some point during the War. His
land on which the church stands is reputed
to be the oldest Protestant burial ground in
Ontario.
In 1783 this land was set aside as the
“Lower Burial Ground” later named “St
Georges Cemetery” in Kingston, the
new town being built by United Empire
Loyalists. In the main these loyalists
were former soldiers of the Kings Royal
Regiment of New York, a provincial unit
raised to fight for the British cause during
the American Revolutionary War.
Since the War had been lost, these
American Loyalists had to leave their homes
and move to other parts of the British
empire. Upper Canada (now Ontario) was a
prime destination of choice. Kingston was
located at the mouth of the Cataraqui River,
and at one time fortified by the French who
first arrived there in 1673.
This new town was to become the capital
of Upper Canada, and eventually the
capital of the Dominion of Canada. It also
provided a prime location for the British
Thomas Deacon - Postmaster of Kingston
military and naval establishments.
When looking at St Paul’s Church it is
rank of Q.M.S. would indicate a lengthy
apparent that many of the grave stones
term of service with the colours. Whatever
have been used in the construction of the
outer walls of the church.
his service, his pride of regiment is obvious
I had been working as an assistant
in his last statement to the world.
curator in the museum of the Princess of
As the first Postmaster of Kingston he
Wales’ Own Regiment, in the armoury
would have been affluent, if not rich. He
building located opposite St Paul’s, when
and his wife Isabella (1766-1822) would
have mingled with the cream of Kingston
65
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