St. Catharines in Niagara Region, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)

Rev. Anthony Burns

1834-1862

Photographed by Anton Schwarzmueller, July 27, 2014

1. Rev. Anthony Burns 1834-1862 Marker

Inscription. Born a slave in Virginia, Burns escaped from servitude in 1854 and fled to Boston, where he was arrested under the Fugitive Slave act of 1850. Abolitionists came to his defence and serious riots ensued. This was the last trial of a fugitive slave in Massachusetts. Four months after his return to his owner in Virginia, he was sold to a North Carolina planter. However, in 1855 Burns was ransomed with money raised by the Rev. L.A.Grimes of Boston, and began studies at Oberlin College, Ohio. Burns came to Canada about 1860 where he served as pastor of Zion Baptist Church in St. Catharines. He is buried in this cemetery.

Erected by Archaeological and Historic Sites Board of Ontario.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Abolition & Underground RR • African Americans • Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Religion & Religious Structures. In addition, it is included in the Canada, Ontario Heritage Trust series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1854.

Location. 43° 9.693′ N, 79° 12.171′ W. Marker is in St. Catharines, Ontario, in Niagara Region. It is on Queenston Street (Route 81) 0.4 kilometers west of Emmett Road, on the right when traveling east. The marker stands at the southeast

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gate of Victoria Lawn Cemetery. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 480 Queenston Street, St Catharines ON L2P L2P, Canada. 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: Victoria Lawn Cemetery (a few steps from this marker); Private Alexander Watson (within shouting distance of this marker); Grantham Township War Memorial (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); 10th (St. Catharines) Field Battery R. C. A. 1939-1945 / 10th Field Battery (about 150 meters away); Air Raid Siren (approx. 0.7 kilometers away); Welland Canal Fallen Workers Memorial (approx. 0.8 kilometers away); Cannon Barrel (approx. 0.9 kilometers away); Bollard (approx. 0.9 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in St. Catharines.

Also see . . . Anthony Burns - Wikipedia. (Submitted on August 14, 2014, by Anton Schwarzmueller of Wilson, New York.)

Photographed by Anton Schwarzmueller, July 27, 2014

2. Rev. Anthony Burns 1834-1862 Marker

Marker at Cemetery entrance, southeast side of Queenston Street. Queeston Street splits the cemetery diagonally.

Photographed by Anton Schwarzmueller, July 27, 2014

3. Rev. Anthony Burns 1834-1862 Marker

Southbound Queenston Street. Marker at center of picture.

Photographed by Anton Schwarzmueller, July 27, 2014

4. Rev. Anthony Burns 1834-1862 Marker

Wide view of marker and cemetery entrance.

Photographed by Anton Schwarzmueller, July 27, 2014

5. Rev. Anthony Burns 1834-1862 Marker

From behind cemetery fence.

Credits. This page was last revised on September 26, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 14, 2014, by Anton Schwarzmueller of Wilson, New York. This page has been viewed 1,158 times since then and 23 times this year. Last updated on September 4, 2025, by Kevin Westell of St. Catharines, Ontario. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on August 14, 2014, by Anton Schwarzmueller of Wilson, New York. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.