A tragic accident forever altered this spot. Here stands the Lady Mary Fitzroy and Charles Chester Masters memorial. This obelisk remembers a dark day in Parramatta’s history.
On December 7 1847 a carriage carrying Lady Mary Fitzroy her husband Governor Sir Charles Fitzroy and Lieutenant Charles Chester Masters sped down a tree-lined driveway. The horses bolted. The carriage overturned near this very spot. Lady Mary and Lieutenant Masters died instantly. Governor Fitzroy survived unharmed.
Lady Mary Fitzroy was the wife of the Governor of New South Wales. She was known for her kindness and grace. She quickly endeared herself to the colonists. Her death was a profound loss. Lieutenant Masters was the Governor’s aide-de-camp. He also perished in the accident.
The accident was a shock to the entire colony. The funeral was immense. Hundreds mourned Lady Mary’s passing. Lieutenant Masters was also buried with her at St John’s Cemetery Parramatta.
The Lady Mary Fitzroy and Charles Chester Masters memorial wasn’t erected until 1888. This was forty-one years after the tragedy. The memorial is an obelisk a tall slender monument. It stands as a lasting tribute to those lost. The inscription details the accident. It honors their memory.
The Lady Mary Fitzroy and Charles Chester Masters memorial stands as a somber reminder. It speaks of a terrible accident. It showcases the deep grief felt throughout the colony. The memorial serves as a poignant testament. It commemorates a tragic event. It’s a powerful symbol of loss. It also shows the enduring memory of Lady Mary Fitzroy and Lieutenant Masters.