The First Headstone

Although two-year old Ellen Tacchi was the first person to be buried in the newly opened cemetery, she didn’t have a permanent headstone. The first stone memorial was erected to the memory of Elizabeth Jane Clayton; she also died young, at five years and nine months. In fact, of the 27 people buried in the first month, 16 were just five years or under.

The headstone reads:

Sacred
to the memory of
Elizabeth Jane
Daughter of
Isaac and Elizabeth Clayton
Who died July 8th 1855
Aged 5 years 9 months

Also Elizabeth wife of
Isaac Clayton
Died September 25th 1876

Also Isaac Clayton
Born February 5th 1810
Died February 4th 1892

Unfortunately, because of natural deterioration over the years, the words have become hard to make out and its position makes it vulnerable to further damage. Given the historic importance of this headstone we have commissioned Wrighton and Barker to remove and conserve the stone. It will then be displayed on a plinth in the Chapel. A replacement headstone will mark the site of the grave.

Grave ref G3 35