Goderich in Huron County, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)
The Tomb on Dunlop’s Hill
Photographed by Tim Boyd, August 22, 2025
1. The Tomb on Dunlop’s Hill Marker
”We visited yesterday the grave of my late uncle, Captain Dunlop - poor fellow! He rests in a sweet spot, with trees near it, a sloping wooded bank on one side and flowers growing all round. The grave is covered with a handsome granite slab, and enclosed with oaken rails.”
- From the journal of Alexander Graham Dunlop, son of John of Gairbraid in Dumbartonshire
Occupants
The inscription on the large granite slab within the walls is for two men, Robert and William Dunlop.
For many years it was forgotten that there are several other people buried here. There are no stones or memorials now visible for them. The Lizars sisters said in their book In the Days of the Canada Company: "that cairn contains, besides the two men for whom it was built, six sisters and a brother and three grandchildren." (The word "grandchildren" seems to be a mistake; from what is known, these were children of some of the sisters and brother - sisters and brother of Louisa, that is.)
Louisa was very hospitable to her family. Several of them came to live here, and some found a resting place. Not all the number mentioned by in the Lizars' book
this page online
The occupants of the burial ground:
• Unknown Man [name now lost] friend of the Dunlops - 1834
• Robert Graham Dunlop - died Feb.28, 1841, age 50
• Annabella McColl Clouting (sister of Louisa McColl Dunlop, and wife of James Clouting) died circa 1843
• William Dunlop - died June 29, 1848, age 55
• John McColl - drowned at south pier, Sept.1, 1848, age 12
• Hugh McColl (his father - Louisa's brother) - Sept. 12, 1848, age 48
• Alexander McColl - infant son of Hugh, died Dec. 10, 1848
• Ann McColl Carmichael (sister of Louisa, and mother of Mary Carmichael who married Joseph Morris) - died circa 1857
• Louisa McColl Dunlop - died March 15, 1871
• Catherine McColl Winter (eldest sister of Louisa) - died Nov. 30, 1887, age 99
And perhaps: John McCaul?
In the 1851 census of Colborne Township, Louisa's age is given as 54. In her household there is a John McCaul age 87, widower. He appears too old to be a brother, being born circa 1764. An uncle? Her father? We do
Photographed by Tim Boyd, August 22, 2025
2. The Tomb on Dunlop’s Hill Marker
On the left
The Dunlop Tombstone
The inscription on the original stone, verbatim from In the Days of the Canada Company, published 1896 by Robina and Kathleen Lizars
Here lies the body of
ROBERT GRAHAM DUNLOP, Esquire,
Commander Royal Navy ... M.P.P.,
honouring and serving his King and Country in
every quarter of the globe.
Died at Gairbraid on 28th February, 1841,
In the 51st year of his age.
* * * * * * * Also to the Memory of
DOCTOR WILLIAM DUNLOP,
a man of surpassing talent
... knowledge and benevolence.
Born in Scotland, 1792.
He served in the Army in Canada and India,
and thereafter distinguished himself as
an author and man of letters.
He settled in Canada permanently in 1826,
and for more than twenty years engaged in
public and philanthropic affairs,
succeeding his brother, Captain Dunlop,
as Member of the Provincial Parliament,
and taking successful interest in the affairs of Canada,
and died regretted by many friends, 1848.
Topics. This historical marker is
Photographed by Tim Boyd, August 22, 2025
3. The Tomb on Dunlop’s Hill in 2025
Location. 43° 45.549′ N, 81° 42.078′ W. Marker is in Goderich, Ontario, in Huron County. It can be reached from River Ridge Crescent. The marker is accessible by foot from the Goderich to Auburn Rail Trail, approx. 350 metres east of the parking area at he end of River Ridge Crescent. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 33981A River Ridge Crescent, Goderich ON N7A 3Y2, Canada. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Huron-Perth-Waterloo-Wellington Area and in Southwestern Ontario. It is also in Central Canada. Globally, it is in North America, on the Great Lakes, in the Western Hemisphere, in the Western World, and in 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: A Resting Place (here, next to this marker); Gairbraid: the Dream & the Memory (a few steps from this marker); “Tiger” Dunlop 1792-1848 (a few steps from this marker); Days of the Canada Company (within shouting distance of this marker); Life and Times (within shouting distance of this marker); Sky Harbour (approx. 0.9 kilometers away); The British Commonwealth Air Training Plan (approx. 0.9 kilometers away); Huron County Gaol (approx. 1.2 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Goderich.
Credits. This page was last revised on August 25, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 24, 2025, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. This page has been viewed 75 times since then and 16 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 24, 2025, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
