The Forgotten 300 Huron Indigenous Remains Discovered in Glen Williams

Sheridan Nurseries employees routinely planting new maple stock made an anomalous discovery in November of 1967. Several human bones appeared in the Glen Williams soil beneath the roots of young trees, prompting a lengthy investigation. By early 1968 the area was sectioned off, and divided into 1 meter squares across an approximately 14 meter site. Further digging revealed a central mass of bones, comprising of “a minimum of 290 individuals.” As well as bones, “hundreds of vertical, cylindrical (poles) were found in the surrounding soil.” Scattered across the lot were single and double burials, raising the total to “a minimum of 309 individuals.” Excavations took place until 1969, when the last of the bones were unearthed and relocated to the University of Toronto, which dated the bones to the 14th century. The Town of Halton Hills claims the remains were repatriated, however no public information of such a transaction exists. The only other artifacts found at the site were 2 small circular beads, likely Wampum (small beads made from shells, used in belts for diplomacy, ceremony, and commerce), which would not have been understood at the time. It was, however, understood that burial practices like the one found were commonplace by Huron Indigenous peoples, who inhabited the land prior to European contact.

It was called “The Feast of the Dead,” and was held every 10-15 years. Huron Indigenous people were nomadic, meaning their villages were not permanent sites. When a village moved, those who died peacefully would be moved along with it, in a 10 day ceremony called the Feast of the Dead. Bodies were exhumed, and cleaned to the bone by relatives, typically women. They would then be wrapped in beaver fur, and relocated outside the homes of relatives. A feast would then be held celebrating their lives, with gifts placed in beaver fur packages alongside the bones. Visitors were welcomed and treated well. At the conclusion of the feast, the village would move, which often took several days. This was a time for mourning, acting as a kind of pre-contact funeral procession. When the chief decided a new site was suitable, an approximately 10 foot deep and 30 feet wide pit was dug. It was then surrounded by a wooden construction, and the bundles of bones were attached to cross poles. Surrounding the pit were poles with the fur wrapped bundles of gifts attached. At sundown, the bodies were lowered into the pit, alongside ceremonial items to help the spirits reach the afterlife. After one gift bundle fell off of a pole, it as well as the rest of the bundles were placed into the pit and buried, concluding the Huron Feast of the Dead.

As the title showcases, “Moeurs des sauvages amériquains II” (Manners of the American Savages 2, 1924) was drawn by French Missionary Joseph-François Lafitau, and is likely heavily biased, and exaggerates many aspects of the ceremony, such as the skeletons dangling like Halloween decorations.

Following the conclusion of the excavation process, the land was left abandoned and unacknowledged, as it still sits today. The land was owned by Sheridan Nurseries until the discovery in 1967, when the portion of land was returned to the town of Halton Hills. The location of the pit is described as “Lot 22, Concession 10, Glen Williams,” however this location is no longer on Sheridan Nurseries property, likely re-divided in development since. Contextual clues however can be used to locate the site of the former burial grounds. A 1973 newsletter from the Ontario Archeological Society describes the site as “situated on a point of land which directly overlooks the Credit River Valley, approximately 100 feet below.” This description, matched with the former Sheridan Nurseries property address narrows the site down to a small forested area, just behind Sheridan Nurseries property and Glen Williams Cemetery. Walking to the back of the cemetery towards the back of Sheridan Nurseries, reveals a small clearing in the trees breached by a narrow dirt path. Following the trail for a while, leads to the first clue. A hardly visible fallen old fence lay only held up by trees, it once ran parallel to the current Sheridan Nurseries property line. This old fence may have once indicated former Sheridan Nurseries property, as described in the report. Clamoring over the fence, towards the sound of the Credit river leads to the probable site of the former burial pit. A large dug out area sits just before a sharp drop off in the landscape, tumbling into the Credit River Valley below. This site closely resembles the description as provided in the documentation, proving the most probable site.

The most likely site of the burial pit (currently filled with fallen trees), the Credit River valley running just beyond the treeline. Taken by the Author, 2022.

As described above, there is nothing indicating the site of the Burials. When contacted regarding the site, the Town of Halton Hills was aware of the location's history, however the file seemed a little dusty. If used as a cultural heritage site, it could no doubt educate and shed light on the history of Halton Hills before European contact. Restoring the site and landscape, and making it accessible would provide valuable ways to celebrate the life, legacy, and culture of the First Nations groups which inhabited the lands of Halton Hills. As the obscurity of the site shows, this history often has gone unwritten and become lost to time. Restoring the site could prevent this, and shed light on a valuable part of Halton’s History.

EDIT: New information has come to light regarding ownership of the property, and location of remains. Read here: https://9inebuzz.wixsite.com/9inebuzz/post/sheridan-nurseries-continues-operating-over-buried-indigenous-remains-speaking-with-1968-witnesses