St. James United Church Cemetery Stone #2 John Baxter Dimensions: 51” x 29”x 4”, squared shoulders with ogee top. Orientation: East Carver: Not identified. Sixteen point rosette. Unusual symbol found on bottom left side of front. Inscription: ERECTED/ To the Memory of/ John Baxter who/ Departed this life/ on the 13^th day/ of May 1851/ aged 55 years/ Material: Sandstone Condition: Carving and inscription eroded, but discernible. Extensive lichen and moss coverage, tilted backwards slightly. John Baxter was born in 1826 in Addington Forks, Antigonish Co., to Joseph and Elizabeth (Chisholm) Baxter. He married Mary Williams (b. 1826), daughter of John and Sarah (Pushie) Williams. Together they had 2 sons and 2 daughters, as attested in the 1838 Census of Nova Scotia. Baxter was a tanner and farmer, and according to the 1827 Dorchester Statistical Return, had produced 15 bushels of wheat, 20 bushels of other grains, and 12 tons of hay. He listed among his assets 9 cows, 15 sheep, 4 pigs, and his household included a male servant. His return was above the average of other farmers’ inventory for that year. It seems, at that time, despite his fairly plain headstone, that he lived a prosperous life. (edited by Christopher Greencorn) [ Back ]