By Patrick Cross
We’re getting close to Halloween, so Local-news.ca is pleased to bring you a second ghost story from Patrick Cross, director and host of Burlington Ghost Walks (burlingtonghostwalks.ca), with Halloween ghost tours meeting in downtown Burlington. Patrick will also be hosting Spirits with Spirits at Ireland House Museum on Fri., Oct. 28. Click here to purchase your tickets!
Another famous Burlington spooky story is the appearance of the ghost of Joseph Brant, the father of Burlington and leader of the Mohawk people. Joseph Brant, or Thayendanegea, is remembered in Burlington by his namesakes, Brant Street, the Joseph Brant Hospital, and, of course, the Joseph Brant Museum. The museum is a replica of Brant’s original homestead, on the lands granted to him by King George III for his services in the American Revolution and Seven Years War.
Joseph Brant died on Nov. 24, 1807, after he lived a full life, including his last decade in his Burlington Bay home. There was some speculation that he was buried in St. Luke’s cemetery, the oldest cemetery in Ontario, but this was built 30 years after his death (Reynolds, 1984). His daughter, Elizabeth, was buried at St. Luke’s. In 1850, Brant’s body was exhumed alongside the remains of his son, John, and both were moved to Mohawk Chapel in Brantford.
Though he is buried in Brantford, on the anniversary of his death, Joseph Brant he appears as a fully-formed ghostly apparition at St. Luke’s cemetery in Burlington, every year visiting his daughter’s grave. Along with many others, I have personally seen Joseph Brant appear in full form, 6 feet tall and in Indigenous dress with a rifle in one hand and a sword in the other. He also wears his gold ring, which was given to him by King George III after his service fighting with the British against the Americans.
Joseph Brant appears on the road opposite the cemetery and hovers into the cemetery, gives a loud battle cry and disappears into the graves. Many participants in my Burlington ghost walks have seen Brant’s ghostly apparition appear in the cemetery on November 24, right at the witching hour of 11 p.m. to midnight. Enough to give anyone chills!
