Colquhoun

The town of Colquhoun was named after J.J. Colquhoun who was a prominent figure in local government, serving as the deputy reeve of Williamsburg and participating in the Counties' Council meetings in the late 19th century. He was also a mail driver until October 1911, just a few months before his death at age 88. The post office in Colquhoun was established in 1882. J. J. Colquhoun served as the first postmaster. The office was eventually closed following the inauguration of rural mail delivery.

The community supported a dairy industry, with George Fusee recorded as the local cheese maker in 1905.

Rev. John Charles Quinn organized the Colquhoun Presbyterian congregation in 1856. Initially, a brick church was constructed, which was replaced by a frame structure in 1867. In 1887, the current frame church was built at a cost of $3,200 on Lot 7, Concession 4, Williamsburg, the site of the original brick building. The trustees of the church in 1857 were Alex. Farquhar Colquhoun, Samuel Kyle, and Jacob Myers. Elders ordained later included Thomas Archer and Jacob Myers. For a time, the congregation was part of the Dunbar and Colquhoun charge, and it was also associated with the congregation at Chesterville under the Brockville Presbytery.

Colquhoun Cemetery is situated on the south side of County Road 18, at Concession 4, Lot 7, in Williamsburg Township. At the east side of the graveyard stands a cairn commemorating the church that was previously located there but has since been torn down.

Notable Residents buried here include:

John Colquhoun (1782–1865) and his wife Agness McKellar (1799–1879).
James J. Colquhoun (1824–1912) and his wife Margaret Jane Wallace.
Peter D. Colquhoun (1830–1899) and his wife Mary Brown.
Robert Craig Colquhoun (1878–1976), who was the son of Thomas Colquhoun and Mary Beckstead.

Sources:

Chesterville Record

Canadian Official Postal Guide

SDG Counties History

Upper Canada District School Board

Dundas County Directory

Colquhoun Cemetery Records