Ryerse, Petheram, Reed and Neymeiyer
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Ryerse Gravestones

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The Plaque reads -
LIEUT.-COL. SAMUEL RYERSE
1752-1812
"A United Empire Loyalist, Ryerse was commissioned in the 4th New Jersey Volunteers during the American Revolution, following which he took refuge in New Brunswick. In 1794 he came to Upper Canada, and the following year received 3000 acres of land in Woodhouse and Charlottsville townships. Settling at the mouth of Young's Creek, he erected a grist-mill around which grew the community of Port Ryerse. As Lieutenant of the County of Norfolk and chairman of the Court of Quarter Sessions, he took an important part in the early military and civil administration of this area."

Erected by the Ontario Archaeological and Historic Sites Board.

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Col. Ryerse's Family Stones

Col. Samuel Ryerse's headstone is 3rd over from the right, in the back. It appears to have sunken down a little.

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Col. Samuel Ryerse's Stone

When I visited The Little Memorial Church in Port Ryerse, on the shores of Lake Erie, it was like stepping back into time. The small church with the old gravestones off to the side and at the back of the churchyard are reminders that our family stood at these sites to bury their loved ones. I was there in July of 2001 and seven generations back, in 1812 my Grandfather Col. Samuel was laid to rest.

My direct line is from Col. Samuel, Samuel, Jr., to Peter Nichol RYERSE. Peter's daughter Melissa married Samuel PETHERAM. Their daughter Erie Alice PETHERAM married David Samuel REED, son of Samuel Caleb REED and Ann B. CULVER INGRAM. My grandmother Lurah Melissa REED married John (Jan) NEYMEIYER (NIJMEIJER). Lurah and John's daughter, Alice May NEYMEIYER married Howard M. THOMAS. I am the second child born to Howard and Alice.