Niagara-on-the-Lake in Niagara Region, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)

The Claus Family Crypt
⎯⎯⎯
La crypté de la famille Claus

The Claus Family Crypt Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Kevin Westell, June 2, 2025

1. The Claus Family Crypt Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

It is not known for certain which members of the Claus family were laid to rest in this crypt over the years. Time and vandalism may have removed potential evidence. What is known is the information taken from the plaque at the family plot at St. Mark's and the coffin plates that were noted as being in the crypt in 1919. From those, the following members of the Claus family are presumed buried here:

(On ne sait pas avec certitude quels membres de la famille Claus ont reposés dans cette crypte au fil des ans. Le temps et le vandalisme peuvent avoir fait disparaître des preuves potentielles. Ce que l'on sait, ce sont les renseignements tirés de la plaque apposée sur le caveau familial à St. Mark's et les plaques de cercueil qui ont été notées dans la crypte en 1919. Parmi ceux-ci, les membres suivants de la famille Claus sont présumés être enterrés ici:)

Ann (Nancy) Johnson (1772-1801) daughter of Col. Guy Johnson

Ann Johnson Claus (1737-1801) widow of Col. Daniel Claus

Hon. Col. William Claus (1765-1826) son of Ann and Daniel Claus

Catherine Jordan Claus (1768-1840) widow of Hon. William Claus

Julia Caroline Claus (1802-1827) daughter of Hon. William and Catherine Claus

Anna Bella Claus (1807-1812) daughter of Hon. William and Catherine Claus

Augusta Claus (1798-?) daughter of Hon. William and Catherine Claus

John Johnson Claus (1800-1873) son of Hon. William and Catherine Claus

Mary Stewart Claus (1804-1853) wife of John J. Claus

William Claus (1800-1873) son of John and Mary Claus

Why is this buried? In the early 1900s, the crypt was in such a state of ruin that it underwent reconstruction. Due to continuous vandalism and deterioration throughout the century that followed, the entrance was buried in the early 2000s to protect it from further damage.

(Pourquoi est-elle enterrée? Au début des années 1900, la crypte était dans un tel état de ruine qu'elle a été reconstruite. En raison du vandalisme et de la détérioration continus au cours du siècle qui a suivi, l'entrée a été enterrée au début des années 2000 afin de la protéger contre d'autres dommages.)

Erected by Parks

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Canada.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Colonial Era • Settlements & Settlers.

Location. 43° 15.068′ N, 79° 5.429′ W. Marker is in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, in Niagara Region. It can be reached from Butler St. To get to Butler's Burial Ground, follow Butler Street west until it ends. Continue following the walking path (that used to be Butler Street) to its end, at the entrance to the fenced-in Butler's Burial Ground. The marker is 20 metres up the hill and a bit to the left, near the crest of the ridge. Touch for map. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on Ontario’s Golden Horseshoe

and in Niagara Canada.

It is also in Central Canada.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony,

the Viceroyalty of New France,

the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

and Rupert’s Land.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Action at Butler's Farm

The Claus Family Crypt - Marker in context image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Kevin Westell, June 2, 2025

2. The Claus Family Crypt - Marker in context

This marker is visible on the distant left ("behind" the blue plaque in the left foreground).

(a few steps from this marker); Butler's Burial Ground (within shouting distance of this marker); Lieutenant-Colonel John Butler 1725-1796 (within shouting distance of this marker); Memorial Cairn For John Butler (about 150 meters away, measured in a direct line); William and Susannah Steward House (approx. 0.4 kilometers away); The Niagara Library (approx. half a kilometer away); The Upper Canadian Act Against Slavery (1793) (approx. half a kilometer away); Niagara Baptist Church Burial Ground (approx. half a kilometer away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Niagara-on-the-Lake.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Negro Burial Ground (was approx. half a kilometer away but has been confirmed missing).

The Claus Family Crypt image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Kevin Westell, June 2, 2025

3. The Claus Family Crypt

The front edge of the crypt's roof is still visible.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 3, 2025. It was originally submitted on June 3, 2025, by Kevin Westell of St. Catharines, Ontario. This page has been viewed 116 times since then and 12 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 3, 2025, by Kevin Westell of St. Catharines, Ontario. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.

The Claus Family Crypt⎯⎯⎯La crypté de la famille Claus

The Claus Family Crypt
⎯⎯⎯
La crypté de la famille Claus