History of Union Cemetery

In 1833, Robert N. Thornton (1806 - 1875), a Secessionist Minister (United Presbyterian) arrived as a missionary from Scotland. Within four years of Thornton's arrival in the township, land was purchased and the first church erected. Most pioneer churches were built on one acre, "God's Acre," providing enough space for a church and a burying ground. This church however had 19 acres, which now comprises what is now the south-west corner of Union Cemetery at Thornton Road North and King Street West in Oshawa.

From these pioneer beginnings, Oshawa Union Cemetery has grown to be an active facility of 30 acres in size (12 hectares), with over 25,000 burial locations.

Many of the area's pioneers and their children are buried in "Thornton's Burying Ground." Union Cemetery is the resting place of prominent individuals including Col. R.S. McLaughlin, the Pedlar family and artist Florence Helena McGillivray.

Additional information is available from the Oshawa Community Museum.