Burial ground.

Details of Site Location: South of Davenport Road on the first lot east of Dufferin Street.

Boundary History: The burial ground occupied less than a quarter acre and was surrounded by farmland and buildings on three sides and by Davenport Road on the north side but with a setback.

Current Use of Property: A mixture of housing and commercial/industrial buildings, crossed by Bristol Avenue.

Historical Description: The Bull family belongs to much of the Toronto region’s history, but begins on Davenport Road. The first Bartholomew Bull came from Ireland, arriving in Quebec City in 1818. Bull’s father, John, had known John Wesley, and the family members were all staunch Wesleyan Methodists, a major factor throughout their history. Bull leased lands in York Township, Farm Lots 29 and 30 in the Second Concession from the Bay, purchasing the lands a few years later. Bull dammed Garrison Creek, which ran behind his house of logs, and began farming. In 1830, when he was able, he built the first brick house in York Township and named it Springmount. It was located on the north side of Davenport. Across Davenport were a stable and some other farm buildings, and near them the cemetery would be placed. When the brick house was built, Bull turned the log building over to his farm workers. With the birth of John Perkins Bull in 1822, the large family began. By 1830, Bull had established a church congregation in his home and, fully authorized as a preacher, began plans for building a church. The task was quickly carried out. In 1842, the first burial was made in the family plot when John died. Other family members followed. Gradually, the remaining family moved elsewhere, and the Davenport property was sold off. Some of the Bull grave markers were moved to Prospect Cemetery, and others are at the Davenport Road Methodist Churchyard. It is not clear how many actual graves were moved and how many people were ever buried there. It must be assumed that burials remain at the original site, which has been developed and disturbed subsequently.

Relative Importance: As founders of the Earlscourt district and prominent residents of the Junction area, the Bull family is most important to the city. As well, they founded a church that is still in use. Generations of Bulls had a similar impact on York Township and in Peel County.

Planning Implications: It would be important to mark both the place where the family dynasty began and the family burial ground. In order to determine whether burials remain, and how many there were, archaeological investigation is required. After investigation plaques could then be mounted and will add to local pride over this illustrious family.

Reference Sources: William Perkins Bull, Spadunk or Paganism to Davenport United (1935); John Ross Robertson, Landmarks of Toronto; Community History Project files.

Acknowledgements:  Community History Project; Ontario Genealogical Society, Toronto Branch, Cemeteries Project.