About LEMA | Find | Projects | Documents | Research | Gallery

Tomb Inscription:
Macquarie Family

WITHIN THIS VAULT REST THE MORTAL REMAINS of MAJOR GENERAL MACQUARIE, OF JARVISFIELD who died IN LONDON, on the 1st of July 1824, HIS WIFE ELISABETH HENRIETTA CAMPBELL, who died AT JARVISFIELD, on the 17th of March 1835, THEIR DAUGHTER JANE JARVIS, who died IN PERTH, on the 5th of December 1808, aged 3 Months AND THEIR SON LACHLAN, who died AT CRAIGNISH CASTLE on the 7th of May 1845, aged 32. "I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that He Shall stand at the latter day upon the earth." JOB XIX XXV

There are three inaccuracies in the inscription:

Firstly, the spelling of Mrs Macquarie's name is 'Elizabeth' not 'Elisabeth'.

Secondly, although this inscription states that Elizabeth Macquarie died at Jarvisfield on 17 March 1835, this is in fact incorrect. She died on Wednesday 11 March 1835 at exactly 2 pm in the presence of her maid 'Miss Jarvis' (wife or daughter of George Jarvis, Macquarie's Indian-born manservant) and the family solicitor, Donald McLean.
[see details in a letter from D.M. McLean to John Gregorson 11 March 1835. Original in National Library of Australia: MS2262.
Copy available in Mitchell Library, Sydney ML DOC 2425(a)].

Thirdly, Lachlan Macquarie Jnr. was born on 28 March 1814 - so that in fact he was only 31 years of age at the time of his death on 7 May 1845, not 32 (as claimed on the tomb).

Return to: Macquarie Tombs | Related Themes & Topics