The Mattinson Hansford Cemetery Society
The Mattinson Hansford Cemetery Society was incorporated in 2016 under the Societies Act of Nova Scotia as a not-for-profit organization. The goals of the society are to restore and preserve the Mattinson Cemetery on Hansford Road in Cumberland County, and to develop and implement a long-term strategy to maintain the cemetery. Find the cemetery at 45.724429 N, -63.821264 W
Our Story
At a Mattinson Family Reunion in Oxford, NS, in 2002, a tour of local cemeteries sparked the desire among 5th generation cousins to preserve the overgrown Mattinson Cemetery on Hansford Road. In October 2015, a visit to the deteriorating cemetery led to the decision to restore it before further damage occurred. After attending a WB Wells Foundation Workshop in Amherst, valuable information and financial assistance for the restoration project were obtained. Following on-site meetings with experts and obtaining a Quit Claim Deed, the Not-for-Profit Mattinson Hansford Cemetery Society was formed, and funding was secured. Restoration work began in December 2016.
Uncovering the Cemetery
The restoration of the Mattinson Hansford Cemetery was a laborious process that required the skill and dedication of four different companies and tradespeople: The WB Wells Heritage Foundation, Athol Forestry Cooperative, Woodpecker Treecare Ltd., and Keith Elliot Stone. This process, especially the cleaning and uncovering of the gravestones, revealed significant information about the Mattinson Family genealogy and the residents of Hansford Road.
The Mattinsons and their Community
The Mattinson family came to Nova Scotia in 1819 from Caldbeck, England, to claim a 250-acre land grant from King George III, offered to those willing to remain loyal to the British Crown. In 1830, the eldest son, Francis, married Mary Irving, and together they built the Mattinson homestead on Hansford Road. Francis and Mary, along with some of their children and a few members of the surrounding community, were buried in the Mattinson Cemetery.
“Preserving our cemeteries is preserving our history. Every headstone tells a story of the past that deserves to be remembered and honored.”
— Jill Mattinson
The Restoration Process
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WB Wells Heritage Foundation
Our project would not have been possible without the support of the WB Wells Heritage Foundation. The Wells Foundation is committed to the restoration, maintenance, and general improvement of cemeteries and burial grounds located in Cumberland County Nova Scotia. They provided the financial support necessary for the restoration.
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Athol Forestry Cooperative
Athol Forestry Cooperative Limited is a cooperative of private woodlot owners in Nova Scotia. They provide a wide array of forestry services, including the clearing and removal of a large amount of shrubs and fallen trees that had accumulated in the Mattinson Cemetery over the years.
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Woodpecker Tree Care Ltd.
As certified arborists, Woodpecker Tree Care provides a broad range of tree services in Nova Scotia. They carefully and professionally removed the large trees that had already caused damage or were threatening many of the gravestones in the Mattinson cemetery.
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Keith Elliott Stone
Keith provides cleaning and restoration services in cemeteries in Nova Scotia.In the Mattinson Cemetery, he carefully assessed the condition of each stone before proceeding. Some stones were determined to be too delicate and no further action was taken. Keith then levelled, cleaned and repaired the remaining stones.
The Mattinson Hansford Cemetery Society
The Board of Directors currently has five members. All are 5th generation members of the Mattinson family in North America and are descendants of Francis and Mary Mattinson, who are buried in the Cemetery. The society’s responsibilities are to oversee the maintenance and longevity of the Mattinson Hansford Cemetery.