St.Marys cemetery, Island, Madras

St.Marys cemetery,  Island.

     This is situated on the North West corner of Island near old jail. Originally the Cemetery for the English men  was situated in "Guava Garden " in the present High Court complex.  After the siege of Madras by  French in 1759 the  British razed to the ground old Black town north of the Fort and also this Cemetery since the tombstones provided cover for the guns of  French infantry. The cemetery of St.Marys Church was then established in North West portion of Island in the present place around  1763. Many of the East India Company Civilians and Soldiers are interned here.  There  are around  395 tombstones and those interned here are the  " who's who" of 18th  and 19th  century  Madras.  Important  among them are  Nicholas  Morse  Governor of  Madras in 1740s, Stephen  Popham  Solicitor of Madras in late  18th century  who developed many  civic infrastructure, William  Sydenham,  Major  General who is remembered by a road in Vepery and James  Brodie of EIC Civil  Service who is remembered  by Brodie Castle  and a road.

Photo: ancestry.com

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