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In 1948 a brief account of the first burial in the Birr United Cemetery was written in the newspaper. The old oak slab erected to mark the grave of George McConnell 1765 - 1835 was pictured. It was noted that the inscription ‘on the slab remained very legible. First Burial in Birr United Cemetery 1835 carvlng, Still Legible After H3 Years on Birr Plot W Yesterday the grave which the sturdy piece of oak marks was decorated with a Colorful bouquet of gladioli as part of an open air service in the ceme- tery conducted by Rev. Gray- don Cox, Ilderton. pastor of the church. Scores attended the annual servij, as (amilies of the commurffty honored their dead with floral tributes. Simple in design, and with its inscription doubtlessly hand- carved on the head, it has wea- thered time and the elements remarkably well. The wording is still legible, "George Mc- Connell, 1765-1835." Although little is known of the man, older residents of the district are of the opinion he was an Englishman by birth and a former resident of near- by Elginfield. BIRR, Sept. 13 - In a quiet section of Birr United Church Cemetery stands a sim- ple marker identifying the laist resting place of one of the dis- trict’s pioneers who died 113 years ago. Its claim to distinc- tion lies in the'fact while the majority of other grave mark- ers in the cemetery are of granite or marble this is a rug- ged slab of oak. Grave _Marker Past Century Mark Oak Grove Market 113 Years Old