The settlement of Knoxville was founded in the mid-1800s by early settler William Chambers. At its height, there were a dozen homes, a church, a cemetery, and a mill that operated from 1881-1895. Today the cemetery and three century homes remain, including Chambers' 1863 brick farmhouse northeast of the four corners.

The property for a Presbyterian church was granted to trustees Thomas Chambers, William McKeown, and John Conkey by Asa and Elizabeth Burham in 1859. The church (now Methodist) was closed in 1916, after 54 years of service, and taken down in 1919 by Harry Brown, who used the material in a building to process honey.

The prominent reminder of the past is the cemetery, with its first recorded burial of infant Joseph McArdle in 1860. This is well-kept, with the earlier stones reflecting the names of the settlers and their descendants. A locally-appointed Board maintained the grounds until care was transferred to the Municipality of Port Hope in 2021. It is still active.

Lot map: Dowsing in the area marked 'Filled & closed' indicated twenty-one unidentified burials

List of known burials: up-to-date as of 02 October 2026

Photograph of a c1910 Sunday School class

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Peter and Barbara Bolton - Port Hope, Ontario
alivingpast.ca