Escaped slavery in Maryland, built a forge on Mill Street and forged the chapel's iron gates.
Moses Calder was born enslaved in Talbot County, Maryland, and reached Canada West in the autumn of 1856 after walking most of the way. He settled in Elderbrook, apprenticed to the village smith and had his own forge on Mill Street by 1863.
Calder forged the iron gates of Thorne Chapel, the railings around several Chapel Hill plots, and the hinges that still hang the Receiving Vault doors. In 1884 he became the first Black trustee of the cemetery company, and served for 22 years.
His family plot on Chapel Hill holds Moses, his wife Harriet and four of their children. Descendants still visit every August for a family reunion.
"I came here with nothing but my hands. Elderbrook gave me a place to use them."