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Fairfield Memorial Dedication from an account in the London Free Press, August 16, 19482
Dedication of monument15 August 1948
Fairfield Site
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The voice of the aging, bronze-skinned Indian rose and fell in the plaintive hymn sung by his forefathers to their new-found "white man's God" more than a century ago. The singer was 67-year-old James Whiteye, of Moravian Indian Reservation; the hymn, "Loonzwaywaukun" or, in English, "Oh for a Thousand Tongues to Sing"; the occasion, the unveiling and dedication yesterday of the national memorial marking the site of the old Moravian village of Fairfield on No.2 Highway east of Thamesville.4
Original plaque that was unveiled at Fairfield15 August 1948
Fairfield Museum
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Two plaques- one commemorating the founding of the Indian mission by Rev, David Zeisberger, a Moravian missionary from Bethlehem, Pa., in 1792, the other the actual village inhabited by the Delaware Indian exiles brought to Canada by their spiritual leader- were dedicated.6
Newspaper article about monument dedication15 August 1948
Fairfield Site
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Prof. Fred Landon, vice-president of the University of Western Ontario, and Ontario's representative on the National Monuments and Historic Sites Commission, unveiled them before a throng of 1000 persons, including many descendents of the original Indian settlers. One of these, Jasper Hill, of Toronto, declared that, after being "cheated, robbed and subjugated, but not completely destroyed," the Red Indian was once again fearlessly himself, "pleading for primeval rights as the First Canadian."8
Programme for dedication of monument31 October 2004
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The dedicatory address was given by Arthur R. Ford, chancellor of the University of Western Ontario and Editor-in Chief of the London Free Press.10
Dedication ceremony15 August 1948
Fairfield Site
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"Unfortunately, we in Canada and here in Western Ontario, are neglectful of our historic spots," observed Mr. Ford. "For that reason I am delighted that the lost village of Fairfield has been found and marked for future generations." He paid tribute to John MacNicol, the Toronto-Davenport M.P. who, during a trip through Western Ontario 15 years ago, first achieved the idea of unearthing the ancient site.12
John R. MacNicol, L.L.D. Promoter of excavation and national historic designation of Fairfield1935
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Mr. MacNicol in turn acknowledged the contribution of Wilfrid Jury, U.W.O. archaeologist who made excavations of the village now marked by two neat rows of stones bearing the Christian names of its long-ago residents-names like Job, Ruth, Joachim and Salome, indicating the Scriptural origin.14
William A. McGeachy, purchaser and enthusiastic developer of Old Fairfield Village1954
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