Click on the link to go to the "Loyalists & Early Settlers on the Niagara River Parkway" website or visit: www.nrparkwayloyalists.weebly.com
LYONS CREEK CEMETERY

Crowland's first Church, first white cemetery, first school and first bridge over Lyons Creek were all on Buchner property. Henry Buchner helped start the first Methodist meetings in the Niagara area at Lyons Creek. The first Church in Crowland Township, constructed of logs, was built in 1806 on Peter Buchner's property. Known as Lyon's Creek Methodist Meeting House it was replaced in 1861 by a brick building, the bricks made nearby by Reuben Buchner. The Church is still standing today, practically unchanged since 1861. It is known today as Lyons Creek United Church. The plaque over the door reads: Wesleyan M. Church 1861. Property adjoining the Church was donated by Captain Henry Buchner as a cemetery and it is here that Captain Henry was buried on May 31, 1842 at the age of 82 years. His wife, Joanna, had predeceased him on April 3, 1820 in the 55th year of her life. They are buried directly south of the huge oak tree which still stands. Based on a formula supplied by a former Lands & Forest Officer the tree is 242 to 245 years old. A member of the White Oak Family it is 15 feet 10 inches in diameter.
PLATO CEMETERY

The Plato cemetery is located on Bertie Road, in the Town of Fort Erie. Christian Plato 1st, 1735 to circa 1809 was a member of Butler's Rangers during the American Revolution (1771 to 1781).
He was a volunteer from Johnson's Greens to service with Butler's Rangers assigned to serve with Joseph Brant's Mohawks. Christian 1st was considered a spy and a bounty of $ 100.00 ( a considerable amount at that time ) was placed on his head by the Revolutionary Committee. Christian served throughout the war. Sadly, his wife Dorotea (May) Plato did not survive the arduous trek to Fort Niagara. For his Loyalty, Christian received 300 acres from the Crown: 200 hundred acres in the Township of Bertie and 100 acres in Pelham on Tice Road. He is buried in the Plato Cemetery. Peter James Plato, (1756-1855) son of Christian 1st, also a Butler's Ranger fought in the Ohio Valley. He received 300 acres from the Crown in the Township of Bertie, 13th Concession. His wife, Catharine, the daughter of Ranger Cornelius Bowen, received 200 acres. Peter served as a Sergeant in the War of 1812-14 with the 3rd Lincoln Militia and was present at the Siege of Fort Erie, August, 1814. Christian Plato 2nd, son of Peter James, served as a private in the 3rd Lincoln Militia. Peter James died in his 99th year. He also is buried in the Plato Cemetery.
He was a volunteer from Johnson's Greens to service with Butler's Rangers assigned to serve with Joseph Brant's Mohawks. Christian 1st was considered a spy and a bounty of $ 100.00 ( a considerable amount at that time ) was placed on his head by the Revolutionary Committee. Christian served throughout the war. Sadly, his wife Dorotea (May) Plato did not survive the arduous trek to Fort Niagara. For his Loyalty, Christian received 300 acres from the Crown: 200 hundred acres in the Township of Bertie and 100 acres in Pelham on Tice Road. He is buried in the Plato Cemetery. Peter James Plato, (1756-1855) son of Christian 1st, also a Butler's Ranger fought in the Ohio Valley. He received 300 acres from the Crown in the Township of Bertie, 13th Concession. His wife, Catharine, the daughter of Ranger Cornelius Bowen, received 200 acres. Peter served as a Sergeant in the War of 1812-14 with the 3rd Lincoln Militia and was present at the Siege of Fort Erie, August, 1814. Christian Plato 2nd, son of Peter James, served as a private in the 3rd Lincoln Militia. Peter James died in his 99th year. He also is buried in the Plato Cemetery.
Dedication of the Plaque at the Plato Cemetery, with Plato Descendants