Philip St. John

Philip St. John was born in Limerick, Ireland, his parents members of the Protestant Palatine community. (The Palatines were a people who moved from France to Germany and then to Ireland seeking freedom to practice their Protestant beliefs.) Philip St. John and his family immigrated to the United States in 1816, but their loyalist leanings saw them move to Brock township, a short time later. The St. Johns were among the townships earliest settlers and Philip was highly influential in encouraging some two hundred additional families, many of whom were kin, to the area. When he died in 1874, it is noted that Philip had 120 descendents within 10 miles of his home at lot 3 concession 5 in Brock.

The land for the St.John West Brock Cemetery was donated by the St. John Family.

Philip St. John was extremely loyal to the British Crown and helped to support the government during the Rebellion of 1837 by leading a band of militia to Toronto in an effort to quell the rebels.

St. John served on both the local township council as well as on the Ontario County Council.

Because of St. John’s distinguished nature and contributions to the community he was often referred to as the” King of Brock” and it is said that his image is reflected on the head of the brock (badger) portrayed in the Brock Township Coat of Arms.