Yankee Hill Pioneer Cemetery
"To the memory of John Cousins who departed this life the 26th January 1840, aged 81 years. Also Mary Townsend, relict of the above who departed this life the 17th August 1850, aged 82 years."
John Cousins came to the Island in 1785 as a Loyalist, following the American Revolution. Originally French Huguenots from Normandy, early spelling of the name is given as Couzens. John settled in Park Corner, took up farming and married Mary Townsend, daughter of James and Elizabeth Townsend in 1786. Mary and her family had come to the Island on the ill-fated Elizabeth when Mary was seven.
John prospered and became one of the largest local landowners with seven hundred acres. A body of water adjoining his property is known as Cousins Pond. John and Mary had seven children: James, Sarah, Elizabeth, John, Alexander, William and David.
[actually, John Cousins was not a United Empire Loyalist.]