George Tillson - Tillsonburg, ON - Grave of a Famous Person on Waymarking.com

George Tillson was born in the former town of Enfield, Massachusetts in 1782. He was a descendent of a settler from Plymouth. Prior to 1822 he helped Hiram Capron (founder of Paris, Ontario) and Joseph Van Norman found the iron manufactures at Manchester (now Niagara Falls, New York). In 1822 together they became the founders of the Normandale iron works in Norfolk County. He was credited with part the design of the famous Normandale stove.

In 1824 he moved to Dereham, Ontario (which would later become Tillsonburg) and bought 600 acres of land. There he quickly built up a community with a dam and lock system on the Big Otter Creek, a blast furnace and forge. His son in law built a axe factory and saw mill on the land. In 1837 he surveyed the land for settling.

In 1837 he played a part in the London rebellion of 1837 (which was stopped in Brantford en route to Toronto). He was arrested and put on trial although details are unknown.

For the rest of his life George Tillson continued building onto Tillsonburg, forming the Plank and Gravel Road Company in 1849 with his sons to build roads. He died of pneumonia while surveying areas for roads in 1864.

There are two portions to the grave here, a horizontal grave placed in pebble stone and an upright spire style stone. The grave is located in Tillsonburg Pioneer Cemetery.

(visit link)

Description: George Tillson was an immigrant from Mass. who was an industrialist founding the town of Tillsonburg, Ontario and creating the Normandale Stove. He was also a part of the 1837 Canadian Rebellions. Date of birth: 11/25/1782 Date of death: 03/15/1864 Area of notoriety: Exploration Marker Type: Headstone Setting: Outdoor Fee required?: No Web site: [Web Link] Visiting Hours/Restrictions: Not listed

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