Learn a little of Toronto's history as told through its plaques.

William Thomas 1799-1860

Photos by contributor David Reed - June, 2009

Here in St. James' Cemetery on Parliament Street is a monument and plaque to William Thomas. The plaque is located in section F, north of the chapel and east of Saint James Road. Here's what the plaque says:

This monument was designed by William Thomas, one of the most important architects in Victorian Canada, and made by Cochrane Brothers, Toronto's leading stone carvers in the mid-19th century. Thomas emigrated from England in 1843 and was responsible for such notable landmarks as St. Lawrence Hall, St. Michael's Cathedral and the Don Jail in this city. His many other Canadian works include Brock's Monument at Queenston, as well as churches and public buildings in Guelph, Halifax, Hamilton, London, Niagara-on-the-Lake and Quebec City. Thomas was founding president of the Association of Architects, Civil Engineers and Provincial Land Surveyors, the earliest professional body in Canada. When the inscription on the stone was legible, it recorded the burials of three of William Thomas's children: Ada Thomas died July 8 1846 aged 2 months and 7 days, Albert Thomas born at Birmingham, England died October 30 1849 aged 17 years, Martha Thomas born at Royal Leamington Spa England died August 14 1850 aged 14 years. Thomas, his wife Martha and another child were buried here too, though the inscription did not mention them: William Thomas born Nacton, Suffolk, England, June 6 1799 died Toronto, December 26 1860, Martha Tutin died Chicago, March 6, 1874 aged 72 years and Helena Thomas born Royal Leamington Spa, England, 1840 died Guelph, November 21, 1916.

Plaque Location Co-ordinates: 43.670005 -79.369311

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