Hidden away near Kay Street in Carlingford lies Saint Paul’s Anglican Cemetery. It’s a place where history whispers among the weathered headstones. This isn’t just any cemetery. Saint Paul’s holds the stories of Parramatta’s pioneers. The Mobbs Bellamy Sonter Catt Bowerman and Eyles families all rest here. Their lives shaped this district.
William Mobbs Senior donated the land. It was intended for a church and a burial ground. However the shale foundation proved unsuitable. So William generously gave more land further down Marsden Road. This explains why Saint Paul’s Cemetery sits a distance from the original church. It’s a testament to his foresight.
William Mobbs Senior himself was the first to be laid to rest. That was on July 14 1851. His legacy lives on in this peaceful resting place. The headstones are a varied collection. They range from sandstone to marble and even granite. Many are damaged. Time and vandalism have taken their toll. Some inscriptions are almost impossible to read.
Despite its challenges Saint Paul’s continues to be cared for. Volunteers descendants and even correctional facility work programs contribute. They help fight the weeds and decay. They preserve a vital piece of history. Michael Brookhouse meticulously photographed the headstones. He listed the inscriptions for the Australian Cemeteries Index. This painstaking work ensures these stories aren’t forgotten. He used birth death and marriage records. He even consulted the Australian War Memorial.
So as you stand before Saint Paul’s Anglican Cemetery remember the pioneers. Remember the families who built this community. Their legacy lives on not just in their descendants but in the very ground beneath your feet. The cemetery is a quiet testament to their lives. A place where history breathes. A place where we remember.