The newly-formed R.M. of Daly petitioned the Government of Manitoba for rail service and was promised by Premier Roblin that a line would be constructed "even if he had to fund it."

Surveying a line from Forrest west to Lenore began and it was to include a siding approximately every seven miles in order to serve area settlers. The first sidings were Pendennis, Carnegie and Cossar; the latter also known as "The Tank" as this was a point beside the Little Saskatchewan River from which water was used for the steam-driven locomotives. This point was also referred to as "South Rivers" for transfers between Rivers (former in 1908) and other stops along the Lenore sub-division.

The next two sidings were Wheatland and Ancrum. Ancrum was in the eastern edge of a grade that sloped downward for a distance of one mile. This land was high-priced and since the Common family had offered the right-of-way on 7-12-22(-W1) free in exchange for the right to sub-divide and sell lots for a townsite, the siding was located on the eastern side of that property.

Before the turn of the century, Anglican services were held in homes and Ancrum School, which was about a mile south of the (Methodist) cemetery site. The Reverend D.A.B. Stoddart at that time served the communities which included Wheatland, Brierwood, Uplands, Rowan, Ralphton, Oak River and Penrith. He traveled by horse and buggy or cutter, baptizing and conducting funerals and weddings for many of the pioneer families. In 1895 he received the deed for the Parish of St. Matthew's Ancrum. He married a local girl, Anne Louise Baily. Their oldest daughters were born in the rectory, which was built before the church. Their second daughter, Emily, later Mrs. Frank Bridgeman, was organist for the church for many years.

The building of St. Matthew's was begun in 1900. The Rev. Charles Wright conducted the opening service in July 1901. The organist was Mrs. George Wolrige. Mr. Wolrige was also in charge of building the church and furnishings.

In 1902 a petition on behalf of the congregation was presented to the bishop asking that the building be set aside for Divine use. Those presenting the petition were Rev. Charles Wright, Mr. Arthur E. Sharman (Rector's Warden), Mr. John W. Seater (People's Warden), Mr. Harry Neal, Mr. E A. Steede, Mr. Edward Hunter and Mr. A. Hayes. The consecration of the church took place in 1902. The Parish of St. Matthew's at this time comprised Bradwardine, Kenton, and Wheatland and formed part of the Diocese of Rupertsland.

In 1924 when the Diocese of Brandon was formed, St. Matthew's became part of the Parish of St. James Rivers. Clergy from Rivers conducted the services. The church at Wheatland was closed about this time.

The Ancrum cemetery has been improved and maintained throughout. A cairn with a plaque, was dedicated in 1986 at the site.

(Source: Bradwardine and District - A Century and More, p 28 and p 81 [2003 Adapted])

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Established in 1908.

(Source: Manitoba Genealogical Society [Adapted])

This cemetery was established in 1908 by the congregation which, from 1901 to 1986, occupied a church situated about one half mile south of here. The church building was moved to the nearby English Museum.

(Source: Manitoba Historical Society [Adapted])

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Dominion Land Survey coordinates: LSD01-20-12-22-W1

In the Municipality of Riverdale

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As noted above, a part of the community's story, and those of its inhabitants, from the early days of European settlement through roughly 2003 is told in the volume "Bradwardine and District - A Century and More", especially on the cited pages. A free digital version of this and many other Manitoba local history books can be found online in the University of Manitoba Digital Collections. There is also a list of such books organized by district and town name on the Manitoba Historical Society's website on their page entitled "Finding Aid: Manitoba Local History Books".

A list of burials in this cemetery is available from the Manitoba Genealogical Society (reference #0002), transcribed by a member or members in 199 and updated in 2012. Also available to MGS members is a searchable online database named the "MGS Manitoba Name Index" (or MANI). Some additional information is contained in the 1996 MGS publication "Carved in Stone: Manitoba Cemeteries and Burial Sites" (revised edition, Special Projects Publication, 106 pages).

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Additionally, many records for Anglican congregations in Manitoba and over part of the territory designated historically as "Rupert's Land" (esp, as bounded on the south by the U.S. border, extending north into the Manitoba Interlake Region past Fairford, with the western boundary reaching into the Pembina Hills and includes Portage la Prairie, eastward the diocese stretches to Sioux Lookout/Atikokan) are now with the Diocese of Rupert's Land and are kept in their offices in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.