On January 17 1859 a meeting of the citizens of St Andrews was held for the purpose of having an ‘all denominations’ common burying ground. A company was formed known as the Saint Andrews Rural Cemetery, the first board of directors was formed on May 2 1859.
The plan came to a standstill when some of the land owners of the purposed site of 20 acres did not want to sell. The Catholic members of the board become impatient and secured their own land for their own cemetery. Now known as the Roman Catholic Cemetery on RTE 127 St Andrews.
In 1866 the board decided to attempt to buy the property of William Maxwell even though they sought help from the Court was unsuccessful. They then approached Moses Stewart for his property and again were unsuccessful.
The Barrington Farm, where the Rural Cemetery is now, was owned by the Estate of R.M. Andrews it was sold at public auction for $255.00. The mortgage was held by Dr. Robert Thompson of St George, who agreed to take a joint note signed by Stevenson & Hathaway. Mrs. Andrews claimed her dower rights and demanded $100. Satisfied by 12 months at 6 %.
More money was required to proceed so a loan was secured for $200 from John Wilson. Walter M Buck of Fredericton a Civil Engineer was paid $20 to survey and lay out the grounds. The company known as Saint Andrews Rural Cemetery started to sell lots at public auctions some as low as $1 per lot.
Some of the town’s people still used their old churches burying grounds and the company decided something must be done to force the use of the new cemetery. On June 17 1867 an act was passed by the Legislature at Fredericton forbidding burials within town limits, it was opposed by some residents but all had to abide by the law.
For many years people took little interest. Board Meetings where held once a year from 1868 to 1875. In 1879, 8 meetings where held in one year this was due to the plans for the new gates. The iron gates where presented at a ceremony at 3pm July 28, 1880. The gates to this day have a dedication plaque which reads as follows. “These gates, were erected by the women in this town, under the leadership of the following committee, Mrs. John S Magee, Mrs. George F Stickney, Miss Lucy Sprague, Miss Rebecca Morrison.”
From 1880 Board meetings where held once or twice a year until 1917 when interest died out and there were no board meetings until 1924. All business during this time was conducted by Thomas Armstrong the president and E S Polleys the secretary/treasurer, but their ages and the tasks demanded of them was too much for them.
Individual lot owners tried to keep up their own plots, the results ended up with some areas being overgrown and unsightly. George Chase was engaged by some of the plot owners to look after their plots, however the cemetery looked neglected.
In June 1924 a public meeting was held at the town hall to discuss these matters and a new board was formed. The new board met on July 21, 1924 however, there was no money in the bank and monies were owing. Lot owners were informed that there was a charge of $5 a year or perpetual care for $100 cash to take care of their lots. Individuals soon placed their lots under perpetual care so a caretaker could be engaged. A second man was engaged to take care of the old moss covered headstones and the overgrown hedges.
In 1926, David J. Clark made a bequest of $10,000.00 in his will to the Cemetery Corporation. In 1930 the finances where in excellent condition and over 100 plots where in perpetual care.
The St Andrews Rural Cemetery is a registered charity.