Cemetery.
Details of Site Location: The south side of Richmond Street East mid way between Sherbourne and Ontario Streets, on the east bank of Taddle Creek.
Boundary History: The burial ground, as shown on old maps, is estimated to have occupied approximately a quarter of an acre.
Current Use of Property: Commercial and industrial buildings fill most of the block, but have been consistently small in the area of the burial ground.
Historical Description: The Ridout family is one of the most important in the early history of the city, and Ridouts held many important official positions, including those of surveyor and registrar. They obtained several lots within the block bounded by Richmond, Sherbourne, Adelaide, and Ontario Streets, and built a fine house and barn with outbuildings on the south side of the block on the line between Lots 1 and 2, both of which were owned by Thomas Ridout from 1798. Along the north side of the block Lot 2, in the centre of the block, was granted to Mary Ridout; it was in this Lot that the burial ground had developed by 1842. The burials had actually been made from 1829, but show up only on later maps. In 1858 the burial ground is still being mapped. In 1889, there was a very small building on the site, with another two encroaching on the area. By 1954 the site was open but surrounded with buildings covering most of the block. Some graves were probably moved to St. James Cathedral Cemetery, but no records have been found to confirm either the move or how many reinterments might have been made. Taddle Creek had vanished before the burial ground and before an Indian burial ground on the west bank of the Taddle, near the southern boundary of the block.
Relative Importance: The importance of the Ridout family is without question, and they need to be remembered at some location in the lower city. This location may not be the best one, unless some archaeological investigation identifies traces of the burial ground or even burials remaining there. Given the uses made of the block, there is some justification for archaeology. The Indian burial ground is probably completely destroyed, as a very large building stands on the site today. Nothing at all is known about the Indian burial ground on Ridout land, but since it was mapped, the Ridouts must have been aware of its existence. If archaeological investigation proves that the Ridout burials have vanished, there are other locations in the city where this outstanding family could be remembered.
Planning Implications: It is recommended that test trenches be dug at the location of the Ridout burials; depending upon the results unearthed, a full scale dig should be either undertaken or abandoned. For the Indian burial ground, it is important that any alteration or redevelopment of the large building in the southeast corner of the block be closely monitored.
Reference Sources: James Orr, private collection; Toronto Reference Library; Ridout Family collections.
Acknowledgements: James Orr, Ridout Family; Ontario Genealogical Society, Toronto Branch.