Cabbagetown-South St.James Town in Toronto, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)

Elizabeth Posthuma Simcoe 1766-1850

Photographed by Tim Boyd, June 1, 2025

1. Elizabeth Posthuma Simcoe 1766-1850 Marker

Inscription. The wife of the first Lieutenant-Governor of Upper Canada, Elizabeth Posthuma Gwillim was born at Whitchurch, Herefordshire, England. Orphaned at birth, she lived with her uncle, Admiral Samuel Graves, and subsequently married his god-son, John Graves Simcoe. She accompanied her husband to Upper Canada where she travelled extensively. Her diaries and sketches, compiled during these years, provide a vivid description and invaluable record of the colony's early life. In 1794, near this site, Mrs. Simcoe and her husband erected a summer house which they named "Castle Frank" in honour of their son. Returning to England in 1796, Mrs. Simcoe devoted her later years to charitable work. She is buried beside her husband at Wolford Chapel, Devon.

Erected by Archaeological and Historic Sites Board of Ontario.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Settlements & Settlers • Women. In addition, it is included in the Canada, Ontario Heritage Trust series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1766.

Location. 43° 40.421′ N, 79° 22.038′ W. Marker is in Toronto, Ontario. It is in Cabbagetown-South St.James Town. It is on Bloor Street East 0.4 kilometers east of Parliament Street, on the

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right when traveling east. The marker is on the grounds of the Rosedale Heights School of the Arts on Castle Frank Road, just inside the gates from Bloor Street East. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 725 Bloor St E, Toronto ON M4W 1J3, Canada. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Toronto

and on the Golden Horseshoe.

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: Castle Frank (within shouting distance of this marker); The Rekai Family (approx. 0.4 kilometers away); Chapel of St. James-the-Less / La Chapelle de St. James-the-Less (approx. half a kilometer away); Church of St. Simon-the-Apostle (approx. 0.6 kilometers away); Sherbourne Blockhouse (approx. 0.8 kilometers away); James Cooper House (1881) (approx. 0.8 kilometers away); Underground Railroad Restaurant (approx. 0.8 kilometers away); Raymond Massey (approx. 1.2 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Toronto.

Regarding Elizabeth Posthuma Simcoe 1766-1850. Another Ontario plaque (but located in UK) summarizes Mrs. Simcoe's life. It is located indoors, within Holy Trinity Church (along the inside south wall, facing the organ) at Dunkeswell Abbey, Madford, Honiton EX14 4RP, UK. (50.88969, -3.22014). More info is at https://www.savoirthere.com/22872/wolford-chapel-john-graves-simcoe-canadian-history-in-devon/

Also see . . . The Diary of Mrs. Simcoe (Internet Archive). A detailed description

Photographed by Tim Boyd, June 1, 2025

2. Elizabeth Posthuma Simcoe 1766-1850 Marker

of the Simcoe’s time in Upper Canada

Mon. 29th [July, 1793]— We were prepared to sail for Toronto this morning, but the wind changed suddenly. We dined with the Chief Justice, and were recalled from a walk at nine o'clock this evening, as the wind had become fair. We embarked on board the " Mississaga," the band playing in the ship. It was dark, so I went to bed and slept until eight o'clock the next morning, when I found myself in the harbour of Toronto. We had gone under an easy sail all night, for as no person on board had ever been at Toronto, Mr. Bouchette was afraid to enter the harbour till daylight, when St. John Rosseau, an Indian trader who lives near, came in a boat to pilot us.

(Submitted on June 3, 2025, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario.)

Elizabeth Posthuma Simcoe, 1799 image. Click for full size.

3. Elizabeth Posthuma Simcoe, 1799

Source: Library and Archives Canada (public domain)

Castle Frank, July 1796, by Elizabeth Simcoe image. Click for full size.

4. Castle Frank, July 1796, by Elizabeth Simcoe

Source: Archives of Ontario (public domain)

Photographed by Tim Boyd, June 1, 2025

5. Elizabeth Posthuma Simcoe 1766-1850 Marker

The gates to the Rosedale Heights School of the Arts, the marker is visible at the centre of the photo.

Credits. This page was last revised on December 5, 2025. It was originally submitted on June 3, 2025, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. This page has been viewed 167 times since then and 8 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on June 3, 2025, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.