Clifford in Minto in Wellington County, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)

Rev. John Smithurst 1807-1867

Photographed by Tim Boyd, September 25, 2026

1. Rev. John Smithurst 1807-1867 Marker

Inscription. Reverend John Smithurst was ordained by the Church of England in 1839 and served as a missionary to the aboriginal peoples at the Red River Settlements in Manitoba for twelve years. He settled in the Township of Minto in 1852 when he was appointed Rector of St. John's Anglican Church in Elora, Ontario. In 1856 he built a home on this property, called Lea Hurst after his birthplace of Lea in Derbyshire, England. He was the first treasurer of record, a magistrate and a circuit clergyman. As a path master he was instrumental in the development of area roads and services and assisted settlers In the establishment of legal claims to land they had cleared. Rev Smithurst died in 1866 and was buried in Elora. Rev. Smithurst's contributions to the Township were significant. The Smithurst Post Office, named in his honour, operated on this site from 1869-1887.

Erected 2007 by Clifford & District Historical Society.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Religion & Religious Structures • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Canada, Ontario Heritage Trust series

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list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1852.

Location. 43° 58.552′ N, 80° 55.156′ W. Marker is in Minto, Ontario, in Wellington County. It is in Clifford. It is on Wellington County Road 2 0.3 kilometers east of Highway 6, on the left when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 5736 Wellington 2, Minto ON N0G 1M0, 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,

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 5 kilometers of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Clifford Schoolhouse Bell (approx. 4.8 kilometers away); The Founding of Clifford (approx. 4.8 kilometers away); Mansion House (approx. 4.8 kilometers away); 2 Elora Street (approx. 4.8 kilometers away); Clifford Heritage Building 26 Elora Street

Photographed by Tim Boyd, September 25, 2026

2. Rev. John Smithurst 1807-1867 Marker

(approx. 4.9 kilometers away); Clifford Heritage Building 15 Elora Street (approx. 4.9 kilometers away); Clifford Heritage Building 19 Elora Street (approx. 4.9 kilometers away); Clifford Heritage Building 30 Elora Street (approx. 4.9 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Minto.

Rev. John Smithurst image. Click for full size.

3. Rev. John Smithurst

Source: Wellington County Archives (public domain)

Credits. This page was last revised on October 12, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 12, 2026, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. This page has been viewed 6 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 12, 2026, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.