The monuments which make up the data set are nine monuments from the south-east section of Pioneer Square, Victoria B.C.. These monuments are located closest to the church, Christ Church Cathedral, and separated from the rest of the square by a path. A link to the map of the study site is posted below. While examining the graves, it was
hypothesized that the approximate materials from which the grave monuments were
constructed, as well as the design thereof, were indicative of the status of
the person or family represented. Using the assumption that stone indicated
greater status than composite materials (brick or concrete), and large apparent
size indicated greater status than small, the following, ranking was predicted.
From highest status to lowest: C.W. Wallace, J.S. Helmcken, Charles Dodd = John
Work, David Cameron, and James Murray Yale. The Military monuments were not
included due to their impersonal and public nature, as well as their being so
far removed, chronologically, from the others. The Lucy Sanders monument was
not interpreted as a grave monument, as the inscription made it clear that it
was made for the purpose of being a bench. The Cridge grave was not included,
as it was not for those whose names were most prominent upon it, but for their
children and a sister.
C.W. Wallace
The monument is an obelisk, exact height
unknown but much taller than a standing person, and made of stone. It is
inscribed on three sides and dedicated to C.W. Wallace and his wife, father,
sister, and children. To judge by the dates inscribed, the monument was likely
erected in the middle of the nineteenth century.
Unfortunately, no historical information
was found concerning this Wallace family. As a result, the status of those upon
the monument, particularly that of C.W. Wallace, is unknown.
J.S.
Helmcken
The J.S. Helmcken monument is, externally,
made of multiple large pieces of stone. Visually, it is a solid block,
approximately waist high and more than two paces long. The inscriptions are on
the upper surface and it is the tied for being of the largest above ground
volume with that of David Cameron. The date of death inscribed is 1920.
J.S. Helmcken likely had high status in the
community. He was son in law of the Governor of the Colony of Vancouver Island
and significantly involved in politics (Marshall, 2000). He was one of three
chosen to discuss terms of confederation in Ottawa. He was, most notably,
founding president of the British Columbia Medical Association, president of
the board of directors at Royal Hospital (now Royal Jubilee Hospital), and a Chief
Trader with the Hudson’s Bay Company (Marshall, 2000). It is likely that he had
a higher status in life than that the others included in this set of graves.
Charles Dodd
The Charles Dodd monument is a stone table
monument. The top stone slab, over two paces long, is supported at the two
ends, about waist high, with the space underneath being left open. The date of
death given is 1860.
While alive Charles Dodd was a reasonable
successful Employee of the Hudson’s Bay Company, achieving promotion to the
position of Chief Factor the day before he died (Smith, 2000). Though Dodd
Rock, Dodd Passage, and Dodd Narrows are named after him (Smith, 2000), he was
likely of somewhat lower status than John Work.
John Work
The John Work monument is of the same
description as that of Charles Dodd. The date of death is 1861.
In life, John
Work was a Chief Factor in the Hudson’s Bay Company (Sampson, 2000), though the
inscription on the monument only describes him as being of the lower position
of Chief Trader. He was a member of the Legislative Council of Vancouver Island
and at one point the largest landowner on the island (Sampson, 2000). His
status was likely higher than that of Dodd and lower than that of Helmcken.
David
Cameron
The David Cameron monument is of the same
proportions and shape as that of J.S. Helmcken. The main difference being in
that the majority of the monument is comprised of brick, only the inscribed top
being stone. The date of death is 1872.
In life, David Cameron was the first Chief
Justice of the Supreme Court of the Colony of Vancouver Island (Sampson, 2000).
He was very much involved in local politics and he had the support of several
prominent figures, including J.S. Helmcken and the Governor Douglas.
Financially, he was far less successful, declaring bankruptcy the year before he
died, losing part of his pension, much of his property, and all of his life
insurance policy (Sampson, 2000).
His monument appears to reflect his
position well. Being of the largest monuments, similar to that of one of his
political associates, it reflects his public standing, while the cheap
materials reflect his rather miserable financial situation. He likely had
higher status than that of John Work, lower than that of Helmcken, but lower
financial status than everyone else in the set.
James Murray
Yale
The James
Murray Yale monument is now only a portion of a stone slab protruding from the
ground. It is very much the smallest
monument in the set. The date of death is 1871.
In life, Yale
was a prominent employee of the Hudson’s Bay Company (Lamb, 2000). Though only
attaining the position of chief trader, he was an important actor in trade in
what is now the lower mainland and had Fort Yale named after him (Lamb, 2000).
He had little political presence and, as such, had likely little status in
Victoria, where he came for retirement.
Conclusion
Taking
historical information into account, the revised list of statuses, from highest
to lowest, is as follows: J.S. Helmcken, David Cameron, John Work, Charles
Dodd, and James Murray Yale. The Wallace monument, though visually pronounced,
was left out of considerations for the revised list of social statuses due to
the lack of available historical evidence to factor in. The historical evidence
indicates that the design of the monument, particularly the size, is more
indicative of the social status of the primary name upon the monument than the
materials from which it is made. The materials appear to be more indicative of
the financial status of the primary name than of social status. Further
research into the financial situations of those to whom the monuments are
dedicated would be necessary for any conclusions to be made in that regard.
During the
historical research, several accounts of church affiliations were mentioned. In
further studies, it would be interesting to research why those who had left
Christ Church had proximal monuments with regard to the Church.
References
Lamb, W.K., 2000. Yale, James Murray. [online] Available at: <http://www.biographi.ca/009004-119.01-e.php?&id_nbr=5330>[Accessed 15 Feb 2012].
Marshall, D.P.,
2000. Helmcken, John Sebastian. [online] Available at: <http://www.biographi.ca/009004-119.01-e.php?&id_nbr=7436
>[Accessed
15 Feb 2012].
Sampson, W.R., 2000.
Cameron, David. [online] Available at: <http://www.biographi.ca/EN/EN/009004-119.01-e.php?id_nbr=4873>[Accessed
15 Feb 2012].
Sampson, W.R., 2000.
Work, John. [online] Available at: <http://www.biographi.ca/009004-119.01-e.php?&id_nbr=4783>[Accessed
15 Feb 2012].
Smith, S.A., 2000. Dodd, Charles. [online] Available at: <http://www.biographi.ca/009004-119.01-e.php?&id_nbr=3874>[Accessed 15 Feb 2012].
Follow This
Link to view a map of the monuments.
Relevant Links:
Cameron
Cridge
Dodd
Helmcken
Work
Yale
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