*Please note- This site search does not include the Vic. & Tas. BMD's, Lots o' Links & Worth a Look Books
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Why can't we just find the right spot,
Where Grandfather buried Aunt Dot?;
Her husband was Fred,
We know they're both dead,
Which cemet'ry has the right lot?
Where Grandfather buried Aunt Dot?;
Her husband was Fred,
We know they're both dead,
Which cemet'ry has the right lot?
OLD MELBOURNE BURIALS
FLAGSTAFF HILL, QUEEN VIC. MARKET
Flagstaff Gardens' Memorial to Burial Hill's first interments
Burial Hill
Many people assume the first Melbourne cemetery was the Old Melbourne Cemetery (over Queen Victoria Market), but Melbourne's very first burials were at 'Burial Hill' (now Flagstaff gardens)
A Few Early Colonists were provided with their last earthly resting place, as Burial Hill. This small area was enclosed with a broad paling fence. Two wattle trees in a state of decay stood within the boundary.
***The first burial at Flagstaff (Burial) Hill, on 13th May 1836, was Willie, the child of James Goodman, being the first who found a resting place in Melbourne
***The second & third, were that of Mr. Charles Franks, and his shepherd, a convict named Flinders (name unconfirmed)), murdered by the blacks on Frank's
station, near the river Werribee in July 1836
We regret much to learn by the last accounts from Port Phillip, that Mr. Charles Franks, who had established himself about 20miles from the station, was missing, and it is feared may have fallen a sacrifice to the Aborigines. Mr. Franks is one of our oldest and most deserving colonists; and if any fatal accident has overtaken him, his loss will belong and deeply deplored throughout the colony. We yet hope, however, for the best.
It is with much regret, we learn by this morning's post, that all doubt of this melancholy catastrophe is at an end, the bodies of both Mr. Franks and his shepherd having been found barbarously murdered.
The Hobart Town Courier 22nd July 1836
***The first burial at Flagstaff (Burial) Hill, on 13th May 1836, was Willie, the child of James Goodman, being the first who found a resting place in Melbourne
***The second & third, were that of Mr. Charles Franks, and his shepherd, a convict named Flinders (name unconfirmed)), murdered by the blacks on Frank's
station, near the river Werribee in July 1836
We regret much to learn by the last accounts from Port Phillip, that Mr. Charles Franks, who had established himself about 20miles from the station, was missing, and it is feared may have fallen a sacrifice to the Aborigines. Mr. Franks is one of our oldest and most deserving colonists; and if any fatal accident has overtaken him, his loss will belong and deeply deplored throughout the colony. We yet hope, however, for the best.
It is with much regret, we learn by this morning's post, that all doubt of this melancholy catastrophe is at an end, the bodies of both Mr. Franks and his shepherd having been found barbarously murdered.
The Hobart Town Courier 22nd July 1836
We learn with much regret that, the report of the murder of Mr. Charles Franks by the Aborigines at Port Phillip, was but too true. Mr. Armytage, jun. and Mr. Malcolm, discovered the bodies of Mr. Franks and his shepherd, lying barbarously murdered near the hut. The dreadful deed had been perpetrated by three natives of a remote tribe, which had a day or two before visited Mr. Darke's hut, but where they were prevented from committing any outrage by the presence of a domesticated native who resides with Mr. Darke.
The Hobart Town Courier Friday 29th July 1836
***The Forth burial was a seaman attached to the cruiser, Rattlesnake (name not known)
***The Fifth was the wife of John Ross (a carpenter)
***The last was an infant child of Mr. Wells.
The Hobart Town Courier Friday 29th July 1836
***The Forth burial was a seaman attached to the cruiser, Rattlesnake (name not known)
***The Fifth was the wife of John Ross (a carpenter)
***The last was an infant child of Mr. Wells.
According to this Article, there may be more?
*** 1835, a young settler named Gardner & his shepherd living at Mount Cotteril *** Another shepherd, suffering the same fate as the one above *** Mr. Francis & his servant (could be Charles Franks?) *** Henry Batman chief constable & brother of John Batman (Henry died in 1839, so he would not be buried there) *** A carpenter named Ross 1838 (or his wife?), the first suicide in Victoria We may never know? In the beginning of 1838 the unsuitability of the place as a burial ground became apparent on account of the increasing requirements of a larger population, and further burials were, therefore stopped. In the same year, an area of about eight acres was set apart for a burial ground, at the north end of Queen street, a further extension to about ten acres taking place afterwards. For a time Flagstaff Hill was an open common, there being no money available for fencing purposes, and it remained that way until the end of 1840, when the area was fenced in by Laing and Merry, contractors.
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Star (Ballarat, Vic.), Monday 15 November 1858
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At a later period, the press called attention to the fact that it would be a matter of satisfaction to the old colonists to know that the graves of those early settlers who were buried on the Flagstaff Hill, were not to be allowed to remain unmarked by anything in the shape of a memorial to distinguish the spot from the surrounding garden. It had been stated that the Government intended to have a slab erected to the memory of the persons who were buried there and afterwards a monolith was set up with the following inscription on it, "Erected to the memory of some of the earliest of the pioneers of this colony whose remains are interred near this spot."
The Flagstaff Gardens
Argus (Melbourne, Vic.), Saturday 28 January 1933
http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/4521938?searchTerm=burial%20James%20Goodman%20child
Argus (Melbourne, Vic.), Saturday 28 January 1933
http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/4521938?searchTerm=burial%20James%20Goodman%20child
The Flagstaff
Argus (Melbourne, Vic.), Saturday 24 March 1923
by Edward C.O. Howard With regard to the Flagstaff, we learn that it was difficult at first to decide on the best position for a signal station. Batman's Hill was thought of, but it was too low, and the timber growth between it and the beach was then such as to impede the view to Williamstown, where a responding signal station was to be established. The site of the old Government offices, where now the Law Courts stand in William street, was also mentioned, but the elevation was thought to be insufficient, and so finally the north-western hill was selected. The signal station here was in use from 1840 to 1857. There were thousands who had been in the habit of watching for the signals there, and who missed them as an old departed friend who had many a day brought them glad tidings.
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A number of citizens and residents in the city and suburbs volunteered to pay the expenses of working the flagstaff if the Government would grant them the power and a movement was set on foot to effect this object, but it was found that the work of spoliation had commenced & that the flagstaff had already been partially carried off. |
The Flagstaff Hill was one of the beauty spots of Melbourne in the early days and from the summit the view of the surrounding country was very charming. Being covered with a beautiful grassy surface, it had the appearance of a large lawn. It was a favourite rendezvous for the public, not only for the pleasure of a walk, but also for obtaining the latest shipping news from abroad attached to the mast a few feet from the ground. But all this was changed, for at a later period nearly the whole surface of the hill was removed for gravelling the streets, the result being that, after heavy rains, the stormwaters, rushing down the slopes, made deep furrows in all directions.
A large gravel quarry, opened up not far from the rear of the signal house was another eyesore, but in course of time it was filled up. This change in the scene, combined with the extension of King street, through the western side of the knoll, completely destroyed the landscape that before was so pleasing to the eye. |
However, when the Flagstaff Hill was afterwards turned into a garden for the public it had the effect of restoring, to some extent, its former beauty and attractiveness. It may be interesting to narrate a few events that took place relating to the hill.
In connection with the separation of Victoria from New South Wales, it was decided that immediately on receipt of the news from England of the passing of the Separation Act, the Union Jack was to be hoisted at the signal station and a Royal salute fired from the same place. The rejoicings were to last four days, and bonfires were to be kindled on the hilltops, the largest one being on the Flagstaff Hill, and the city was to be illuminated. |
The illuminations came off on the evening of November 13, 1850, and at about 8 o'clock the principal streets were ablaze. I have a vivid recollection of the scene on that occasion. The beacon on the Flagstaff Hill was to have been fired first, in the presence of the Mayor, as a signal for the other beacons to light up; but unfortunately, the programme was upset by a practical joker, who came along and set fire to the pile the night before the appointed time.
The British Act of Parliament separating Port Phillip District from New South Wales, and naming the new colony "Victoria" (after Queen Victoria) and providing it with a Constitution, was signed by Queen Victoria on 5 August 1850. Enabling legislation was passed by the N.S.W. Legislative Council on 1 July 1851.
Another incident took place during the Crimean War, which is worth relating. It was known at the time that a few of the Russian men-of-war were on the high seas and this gave uneasiness to the people of Melbourne, as they were always expecting a visit from one of them. At about 9 o'clock on a clear starlight night, guns were fired in the bay, rockets were sent up and small firearms were let off. |
This occurrence greatly disturbed the in-habitants who rushed about in all directions inquiring what it meant. Men came from Sandridge on horseback to Melbourne to say the Russians had arrived. Hundreds of people left for the beach, armed with every conceivable weapon, while the soldiers in garrison were under arms, ready for any emergency. The whole affair turned out to be a false alarm. The Great Britain steamer which had just been released from quarantine, had fired some joy guns coming into the bay, and as soon as she anchored several of the other ships joined in the filing. On the Flagstaff Hill, where a good view of the bay could be obtained, a very large crowd assembled, as it was thought that H.M.S. Electra, which happened to be at anchor at the time was discharging her guns at a Russian ship. I was on the hill on that eventful evening.
During the gold fever days an amusing event look place. A rumour got about that gold had been found on the Flagstaff Hill. A crowd of people assembled there on a Sunday, and many of them scraped about in the gravel in search of the precious metal. It soon, however, became apparent that a hoax had been per-petrated by some senseless person who had spread a quantity of brass filings over the surface of the ground
The arrival of the 40th Regiment, under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Valiant by the Vulcan troop ship on October 19, 1852, may be associated with the Flagstaff Hill as the men's camp, where I witnessed the tents being pitched, was only a short distance from the western slope of it, the officers' quarters being in a large dwelling owned by Mr. Edmund Westby, which stood in Latrobe street, close by.
It was demolished many years ago. The soldiers came up the river from the bay in the steamers Diamond and Maitland, upon the former of which I often travelled in the early days, and when nearing the wharf the band played the air from "Maritana," "In Happy Mo-moments." After landing on November 5, the delay being caused by a supposed case of smallpox on board, the soldiers, headed by their band, led by Drum major Foster, a splendidly built man, over six feet in height, with a commanding figure, marched to their canvas habitation at the west end of Latrobe street, pending the completion of the corrugated iron barracks in Spencer street. I was standing in the street that day when the soldiers passed. During the afternoon the Lieutenant Governor and Captain Conran visited the camp.
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Old Melbourne Cemetery
Old Melbourne Cemetery Looking north toward Victoria Market
Between the years of 1837 and 1854, much of the land on which the Queen Victoria Market now stands was the site of Melbourne’s first official cemetery, which housed the remains of an estimated 10,000 early settlers, including those of John Batman. Bounded by Queen Street to the east, Peel Street to the west, Franklin Street to the south, and Fulton Street (which no longer exists) to the north, the Old Melbourne Cemetery was established in 1837 in West Melbourne. The first person to be buried on this site was a child- Frederick William Craig, the infant son of Skene Craig. As Melbourne grew, this site was recognised as being too small and the Melbourne General Cemetery (or new Cemetery), that we know today in Carlton, was established by an act of the New South Wales parliament in 1850 and was opened on 1st June 1853.
Underneath the Queen Victoria Market holds the remains of the European founders of Melbourne as well as Aboriginal graves. The human remains of an estimated 9000 people are on the site. Most lie as little as 1.5 metres below the Queen Victoria Market car park and adjacent market stalls. Thousands of vehicles park on top of their bodies every month.
In 1917, when that Market was extended (over much of the cemetery site), 914 bodies were exhumed and re-interred at other cemeteries around Melbourne, including Melbourne General Cemetery in Carlton, and Fawkner Cemetery, which is now the resting place of the “Old Pioneers”. Numerous bodies remain buried beneath the existing car park. Unfortunately, there are no records of those buried there under the Queen Victoria Market. It is not possible to visit the Old Melbourne Cemetery either, because it is located UNDER the present day Queen Victoria Market.
http://melbournewalks.com.au/the-old-melbourne-cemetery-queen-victoria-market-tour/
Underneath the Queen Victoria Market holds the remains of the European founders of Melbourne as well as Aboriginal graves. The human remains of an estimated 9000 people are on the site. Most lie as little as 1.5 metres below the Queen Victoria Market car park and adjacent market stalls. Thousands of vehicles park on top of their bodies every month.
In 1917, when that Market was extended (over much of the cemetery site), 914 bodies were exhumed and re-interred at other cemeteries around Melbourne, including Melbourne General Cemetery in Carlton, and Fawkner Cemetery, which is now the resting place of the “Old Pioneers”. Numerous bodies remain buried beneath the existing car park. Unfortunately, there are no records of those buried there under the Queen Victoria Market. It is not possible to visit the Old Melbourne Cemetery either, because it is located UNDER the present day Queen Victoria Market.
http://melbournewalks.com.au/the-old-melbourne-cemetery-queen-victoria-market-tour/
PROV Digging up the past: The Old Melbourne Cemetery As early as 1877 sections of the original cemetery which was allocated to Aboriginal and Quaker burials, as well as unused sections of the Jewish area were taken over for the purpose of the growing market place. In 1917 the final burial in the Old Melbourne Cemetery took place, with exhumations beginning in mid-1920 with only a ‘narrow strip of land affected’, and only marked graves exhumed. Eventually closing permanently by 1922, reportedly having been the final resting place for up to 10,000 early Victorian settlers. However, with exhumations about to begin contention ensued, as there were many notable pioneers buried within the Old Melbourne Cemetery, who’s resting place would have to be disturbed in order to convert the space into market holdings. Such significant Victorians included John Batman, James Jackson, J. H. N. Cassell http://prov.vic.gov.au/blog-news/digging-up-the |
Melbourne General Cemetery or New Melbourne Cemetery or Old Melbourne Cemetery? (GSV)
http://genealogyworld.blogspot.com.au/2013/10/gsv-pick-of-month.html
http://genealogyworld.blogspot.com.au/2013/10/gsv-pick-of-month.html
Even something as basic as laying a pipe can turn into an archaeological issue. During sewer works in 2012, archaeological tests in what was the Catholic, independent and Wesleyan sections revealed a small number of skeletal remains of young children, which were left insitu.
http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/past-versus-present-20140507 Should the dead roll over to make room for real estate?
http://theconversation.com/should-the-dead-roll-over-to-make |
From 1920-22, 914 graves with identifying monuments were re-interred at Fawkner, Kew, St. Kilda, Cheltenham and the Melbourne General Cemetery. Many of the headstones crumbled when shifted. At this stage, the cemetery was in a terrible state of neglect, with very long grass. Identification of the burial plots was made difficult because the register of burials prior to 1866 was lost or destroyed. Many graves were unmarked. Others had ‘headstones’ of red gum, which had weathered away.
As there were about 10,000 burials on the site, there still remain approximately 9,000 people buried under the sheds and car park of the Queen Victoria Market. When any work is carried out at the market, bones are often disturbed. It was closed permanently in 1922. A Market Bill was rushed though parliament to overcome protests by groups formed to protect the heritage of the site.
http://melbournewalks.com.au/the-old-melbourne |
more...............
The Old Cemetery 29 Dec 1917 The Leader Melbourne http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/90857496? More Early Melbourne Memories- Flagstaff Hill
by Edward C.O. Howard http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/1688138 More about John Batman....
Windsor & Richmond Gazette (NSW), 13 May 1927 http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/85951072? |
Ballarat Courier 22 January 1918
Geraldton Guardian (WA ), Thursday 28 April 1927
Flagstaff Hill- A Playground with a History
http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/3977091?sear |
more............
Argus (Melbourne, Vic.), Saturday 13 July 1878 http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/5939838 Melbourne General Cemetery Conference
http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/8535949 Another Melbourne Genral Cemetery Conference http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/65881851 Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village (Warrnambool)
http://www.flagstaffhill.com/education-resources/ ISAAC SELBY AND THE OLD MELBOURNE CEMETERY
http://www.portphillippioneersgroup.org.au/pppg5 |
Argus (Melbourne, Vic.), Thursday 11 October 1917
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John Batman got lucky, 9,000 others didn't
3 Oct 1922 the Argus
Alphabetical Record of Burials - Old Melbourne Cemetery
Select index by alphabetical link, then download PDF (This appears to be incomplete?)
http://www.access.prov.vic.gov.au/public/component/daPublicBaseContainer
Select index by alphabetical link, then download PDF (This appears to be incomplete?)
http://www.access.prov.vic.gov.au/public/component/daPublicBaseContainer
1,000's of bodies buried under Queen Vic Market will stay there under the redevelopment of the site.
Lord Mayor Robert Doyle ruled out turning the main Queen St carpark into a building site because it would disturb up to 9000 bodies in an early Melbourne cemetery. "In the past we have disinterred small numbers of bodies and then put them in consecrated ground, but I can't see any project that could build over that whole carpark," Cr Doyle said. But council may consider an apartment block in the Franklin St carpark and shed area as a way to help fund the $100 million-plus market redevelopment. http://www.news.com.au/national-news/ Queen Victoria Market History http://www.qvm.com.au/about/history/ |
Historians Slam Queen Vic. Carpark Plans
A debate over the Queen Victoria Market graves of thousands of pioneers should be laid to rest and development plans abandoned in favour of a public park, says an expert on the site. Author and historian Chrystopher Spicer, who consulted on plans for the site 20 years ago, said a master plan by Melbourne City Council on the future of the market would be a waste of time if it failed to address the existence of a burial ground under the site's car park. http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/burial-ground |
Queen Victoria Market
http://urbanmelbourne.info/forum/queen-victoria-market |
History brought to life again, thanks to TROVE newspaper articles (NLA) &
The State Library of Victoria (SLV).
The State Library of Victoria (SLV).