To find Pioneer Cemetery Road, look for the
Wood Islands Women's Institute Hall, a white painted 1842 schoolhouse, on the north side of the highway about 3 kilometres west of the Wood Islands ferry terminal. Pioneer Cemetery Road runs south off the highway at the school/hall.
Wood Islands Pioneer Cemetery was possibly begun as early as 1807, the year after the arrival of Scottish immigrants from Colonsay in Argyle. The earliest known burial in the cemetery was that of Murdoch McMillan, in 1810. The earliest remaining headstone, however, is that of Hector McMillan, who was interred here in 1819. It's likely that no one knows how many interments have taken place in the cemetery and today approximately 33 headstones are to be found, many of which have become illegible.
The cemetery was not used after 1910 and was abandoned until it was restored in 1792 as part of a provincially sponsored program to rehabilitate pioneer cemeteries. Today a black painted steel arch with the lettering:
WOOD ISLANDS
PIONEER CEMETERY
marks the entrance. Locked gates are hung in the arch, but only to prevent the entry of vehicles. Entrance on foot is possible and simple.
Wood Islands Pioneer Cemetery
DESCRIPTION OF HISTORIC PLACE
This cemetery is located in Wood Islands West off the Pioneer Cemetery Road in a forested area between the Trans Canada Highway and the Northumberland Strait. The site is a grassed clearing about half an acre in size with a round arch metal sign marking the entrance to the cemetery.
HERITAGE VALUE
The cemetery is valued for its historical association with early Selkirk settlers to the Wood Islands area, including members of the McMillan family.
The McMillan settlers were part of the migration of Scottish Highlanders sponsored by Lord Selkirk. They came originally from Colonsay in Argyle in 1806 aboard the vessel, Spencer. The ship landed at Pinette and the McMillans planned to make their home in Little Sands. However, they decided to set fishing nets in Wood Islands just off shore from where the cemetery is now located and were rewarded with a bountiful catch. They then decided to make their home in Wood Islands.
It is believed the cemetery dates from 1807. A Murdoch McMillan was interred in 1810, but the oldest remaining headstone is that of Hector McMillan, who passed away in 1819. An 1834 land conveyance refers to the site as "the old burial ground". Today, a celtic cross inscribed with the badge of Clan McMillan is located near the entrance.
Approximately 33 headstones survive, however, several of these are illegible. Other families interred here include members of the Bell, McNeill, McRae, Munn, Smith, Currie, McDonald, and McKay families.
The site ceased to be used as a cemetery in 1910 and was restored in 1972 as part of a provincial effort to rehabilitate pioneer cemeteries. A rededication ceremony was held in October 1973. Today, the site is well maintained and includes a new metal round arch entrance gate which proclaims the name of the cemetery.
CHARACTER-DEFINING ELEMENTS
- the location of the cemetery in a grassed clearing in a wooded area near the Northumberland Strait
- the metal round arch entrance gate showing the name of the cemetery
- the variety, size, and style of remaining gravestones and their inscriptions
- the celtic cross engraved with the clan badge near the entrance to the site
- the potential for unmarked graves on the site
From Historic Places Canada