George Cheyne

     George Cheyne was born, 15 July 1802, in Auchterless Parish, Aberdeen, Scotland.^1,2,3

George Cheyne was baptized in accordance with the procedures of the Church of Scotland, 25 July 1802, at Logie Old Town, in Auchterless Parish, Aberdeen, Scotland. From the Register of Baptisms, Parish of Auchterless 1758-1819, Page 34/85 "25th July (1802) William Cheyne in Logie Old Town ex uxore Elisabeth Harper had a Son baptised before the Congregation, named George”.⁴

From Fasti Ecclesiiae Scoticanae, under Ontario and Quebec, is this listing: "Cheyne, George, born 1802, son of William C., farmer, Auchterless; educated at Marischal College, Aberdeen; M.A. 1822; ord. by Presb. of Strathbogie in 1831 "to the office of the ministry in the British Provinces of North America wherever Providence may order his lot"; adm. to Amherstburg 1831; min. of Saltfleet and Binbrooke 1843. Joined the Free Church in 1844; afterwards min. at Hamilton; died 1st April 1878".²

When Rev. George Cheyne arrived in Canada, September of 1831, there was no Presbyterian minister for 200 miles from Amherstburg to Ancaster; his own parish 100 miles. Sometimes tours were as long as 6 weeks, on horseback ($100/per annum). Anxious to improve quality of life for parishioners, he took on role of teacher, which later proved too arduous. He was forced to give it up for health reasons, requested a change...reassigned to Saltfleet/Binbrook. (Canada Presbyterian, Vol.1. No. 26 (New Series), April 26th, 1878. p. 404-405).
Mr. Cheyne was the first Public School Inspector of Wentworth County.⁵



George Cheyne married Sarah Maria Hughes, in Canada.⁵

George Cheyne and his wife Sarah Cheyne were listed on the 1871 Canada Census, in Saltfleet, Wentworth County, Ontario, Canada. He was head of household and a minister of the gospel. Both were Presbyterian. She was of German descent.|She was 78 years of age and born in the United States.. He was 68 years of age and born in Scotland.³

George Cheyne died 1 April 1878 of natural decay in Wentworth County, Ontario, Canada. He was listed as a minister of the gospel, Presbyterian, 76 years of age and born in Scotland. His death was recorded by R. H. Ploteney, in Saltfleet.^2,7

George Cheyne was buried, at Knox Presbyterian Church, in Wentworth, Ontario, Canada. His monumental inscription reads: "REV. GEORGE CHEYNE M. A.
1ST PRESBYTERIAN MINISTER OF
BINBROOK & SALTFLEET
A NATIVE OF ABERDEEN-SHIRE,
SCOTLAND.
DIED APR. 1ST, 1878,
AGED 76 Y'RS.
I WILL ARISE"..⁸

Obituary (Canada Presbyterian, Vol.1, No. 26 (New Series), April 26th, 1878. p. 404-405). "He married Sarah Maria Hughes while serving Amherstburgh; she was an "amiable and accomplished lady, who died a few years ago" ...In 1844 at Kingston he cast his lot with the Free Church party, and served from then until his retirement April, 1874. He took a sabbatical to his homeland in July, 1872. Besides serving his own parish, Rev. George Cheyne organized and supplied Eastern Seneca, Abingdon, Caistor, until his resignation ...He was appointed Moderator of the Synod held at London in 1856. He was also appointed the first Moderator of the Synod of Hamilton by the first General Assembly of the Canada Presbyterian Church which was held in Knox, Church, Toronto, in 1870, and he preached and presided at the first Synod at Hamilton in Knox Church in 1871...As a man, Mr. Cheyne was reserved and quiet, but firm; in all his dealings, upright. In his home he was kind, pleasant, and sociable; in his feelings, sensitive. Though not of a poetical, but a practical turn of mind, he was a minute observer and strong lover of the beautiful in art and nature. He enjoyed the flowers and fields. He was a man who put conscience into everything, and this it was which gave him character and impressed that character upon others. He was abiding in his friendships, a man to be trusted. ... As a minister Mr. Cheyne was devoted, faithful laborious. His scholarship was extensive and correct. His doctrinal views were Calvinistic and therefore sound. He was an evangelical preacher".

Obituary (Presbyterian Record Vol. I.III May, 1878 p. 123). "Rev. Geo. Cheyne. The death is announced of this venerable father who has been in service of the Church from the year 1831, until quite recently, when infirmities of age compelled him to retire from active ministerial duties. Mr. Cheyne was a native of Aberdeenshire, born on the 15, July, 1802. He was educated at Marischal College, and was ordained by the Presbytery of Strathbogie in 1831, "To the office of the Ministry in the British Provinces of North America, wherever Providence may order his lot". He settled first at Amherstburgh, where he remained a number of years. He became minister of Saltfleet and Binbrooke in September, 1843. In the following year he identified himself with the Free Church. He was a man of fine parts and amiable dispositions, and it was to him a matter of great consolation that he lived to see the two Churches re-united after the lapse of a whole generation. He was very much respected and beloved".

Obituary also appeared in the Presbyterian Church in Canada. General Assembly. A. & P. 1878. p.8.

The Albion/Saltfleet twp. Presbyterian Church was rededicated Cheyne Presbyterian Church in Rev. George Cheyne’s honor in 1876; the church was erected in 1847 on the North side of Mud Street, one mile west of what is now Highway #20. A stone building still stands near the site which was a schoolhouse at that time.

Rev. George Cheyne’s interment is at Knox Presbyterian Church Cemetery-Binbrook Twp, Wentworth County, 2553 Binbrook Rd E, P O Box 24, Binbrook, ON. The cemetery is on the south side of Binbrook Road near the junction of Hendershott Road, east of the village of Binbrook, Glanbrook community - contributed by Gloria Pare, Jul 13, 2001. The complete record of the monuments in the cemetery (include the following for Geo Cheyne.) When/Where=I read the stones on May 5, 2001. - Gloria Pare. "Cheyne, Rev. George M.A., d. 1 Apr 1878, aged 76ys, Native of Aberdeenshire, Scotland, 1st Presbyterian Minister of Binbrook & Saltfleet".⁵