Discover Toronto's history as told through its plaques
2004 - Now in our 14th Year - 2018
To see what's new on this site, you can visit the Home Page
Looking at this page on a smartphone?
For best viewing, hold your phone in Landscape mode (Horizontal)
Jacob Cummer 1797-1841
Photos and transcription by contributor Wayne Adam - Posted April, 2009
On this concrete wall, at McKee Public School on the northwest corner of McKee and Kenneth Avenues in North York, is this plaque erected in 1977 by the 50th Anniversary Committee of McKee Public School. Here's what it says:
Coordinates: 43.773968 -79.410038 |
 |
Jacob Cummer (Kummer) and his wife Elizabeth, emigrants from Pennsylvania and among the earliest settlers in Willowdale, established themselves on this site along Yonge Street in 1797. A farmer, craftsman and entrepreneur, Jacob acquired other lands in the vicinity and by 1819 owned a saw-mill on the Don River near present-day Cummer Avenue. Originally Lutherans, the Cummers became devout Methodists in Upper Canada: their home serving as a Methodist Episcopal Sunday School from 1816. In 1834, Jacob donated a nearby site upon which a Methodist meeting house was soon built. This area, closely identified with Jacob and his large family of 14 children, was originally know as Kummer's Settlement.
Related webpages
saw-mill
Don River
Lutherans
Methodists
Upper Canada
Related Toronto plaques
The Cummer Family
Church Avenue
Willowdale
More
Pioneers
Here are the visitors' comments for this page.
> Posted January 29, 2018
I too am a descendant of Jacob Kummer, via Daniel. I have found out so much through varies web sites. I am very proud to be a descendant of such a great human. I am also very proud to be a Cummer and know that my 5 times great grandfather wanted a better life for his family and for the rest of us. Thank you for creating this site.
Tonette Canfield [email protected]
> Posted September 21, 2015
Just sitting tonight with my Husband Ian Amos Theodore Cummer and his parents Evert Amos Cummer and Jennie Eileen Atterbury. We have a original Cummer Memoranda #123 published in Cleveland 1911. Evert was given this Memoranda from his cousin Sylvia Cummer from Montoursville, PA. We are part of Family #211 in the memoranda. Amos Toole is Evert Father; Amos's Father was George Washington Cummer son of Samuel Jacob Cummer who is the son of Jacob Cummer and Elizabeth Fisher.
[email protected]
> Posted March 31, 2015
Hello. My Grandfather was Walter Morris who married Sarah Cummer. Both deceased mid 1930's.
Tim Morris [email protected]
> Posted October 14, 2012
I too am a descendent of Jacob Cummer. I live not far from where the original Cummer (or maybe Kummer) settled near Ephreta, PA. I live in Harrisburg and plan on spending some time in the state archives soon to learn more about our family. My mom has already posted to this site. We gave my son the middle name of Elihu, following a long line of Cummers.
I can be reached at [email protected]
> Posted September 1, 2012
I'm also a direct descendent of Jacob Cummer. My g-grandfather was Elihu Cummer, son of Daniel...etc. We have the Cummer Memoranda which I see someone has downloaded on the internet....which is great! However, anyone know how to obtain a copy of Jacob's Flock? -Jan Cummer Re.....[email protected]
> Posted April 19, 2012
To whom it may concern,I recently purchased Cummer memoranda and found out that Daniel is my 5th great grandfather. If for any reason there are others out there, I can be reached via email, [email protected]
> Posted April 7, 2012
Could anyone please tell me how to get hold of the book "Jacobs Flock". I've tried all resources here in the U.S. Thanks. My email is [email protected]
> Posted April 2, 2012
Oh my gosh, my name is Tonette Jacqueline Cummer. Oscar E. Cummer was my great grandfather.I believe I am a descendant of Jacob. Any info greatly appreciated. My email is [email protected]. Lots of questions. Please respond back. Thanks.
> Posted June 22, 2011
I also am a relative of Jacob Cummer. I also have the book Jacob's Flock. I live in Calgary, AB, Canada. I would like to learn more about the Cummers that lived in Pennsylvania, USA. Where they lived and if any are still there. I can be reached at [email protected]
> Posted April 17, 2011
My grandmother on my father's side was a Cummer before she married my grandfather. I have a book called Cummer's Memoranda. My grandmother was Francis Marion Cummer. She married Robert Taylor Thomson. Does any one know anything about Robert Taylor Thomson.
email address [email protected]
> Posted October 21, 2010
I've been trying to find out about my ancestors and was told by my great grandfather Stanley Magee that I am a descendant of John Cummer. My name is Danielle Cooper. If this is true I would love to know more of the history of my family. If you have any info, contact me at [email protected]
> Posted September 16, 2010
My name is Ray Huston. My grandmother was a descendent from the Cummer family. She married into the Huston family. I was given a book called Jacobs Flock by my Aunt Arvella who is the eldest living of the Huston/Cummer family. The book starts from 1750 to 197-?
> Posted June 10, 2010
Hi. My name is Jenna Cummer and I am doing research on my lineage and was wondering if you could help in any way. At York Cemetery there is also a John Cummer who donated a house (Sheppard house now called) for Michael Sheppard who took shelter on that land in and around the Rebellion of 1843. Is this Jacob Cummer related to the John Cummer?
[email protected]
> Posted May 27, 2010
Yes, John Cummer, Jacob's son, lived at 44 Beardmore Crescent which overlooked Jacob's Cummer Mill on the Don River. The house was originally a farm house built circa 1850 but was substantially renovated into its present structure circa 1933.
> Posted April 15, 2010
Did Jacob Cummer or other Cummer relatives reside in a house I'm told is on the north side of Cummer east of Bayview overlooking the Don River.
Here's where you can send me a comment for this page.
Note: Your email address will be posted at the end of your comment so others can respond to you unless you request otherwise.
Note: Comments are moderated. Yours will appear on this page within 24 hours (usually much sooner).
Note: As soon as I have posted your comment, a reply to your email will be sent informing you.
To send me your comment, click [email protected].
Thanks
Webmaster
Note: If you wish to send me a personal email, click here.