St John's Cemetery - Parramatta

St John's cemetery, Parramatta, is the oldest burial ground in Australia. It contains the remains of notable persons associated with the foundation of the colony and many graves of those who arrived with the First Fleet. The first interment is James Magee, a convict’s child, buried on 31 January 1790. The first burial marked with a stone memorial was of Henry Edward Dodd on 28 January 1791. Henry Dodd, Superintendent of Convicts at the Government Farm, is noted for growing the first successful wheat crop in the colony.

St John's cemetery site is a place of cultural heritage. Many early landholders, whose names reflect local suburbs, are buried here. D’Arcy Wentworth of Wentworthville, John Harris of Harris Park, several members of the Blaxland family, Mary Kelly of Kellyville, Mary Pymble of Pymble and John Thorn of Thornleigh are buried there. Other notable burials include Reverend Samuel Marsden, Chief Cleric of the colony, Minister at St Johns Cathedral for almost 50 years, Robert Campbell of Campbell’s Wharf and Duntroon, noted as the father of Australian commerce, two Governor’s wives, Mrs Elizabeth Bourke and Lady Mary Fitzroy, two Assistant Commissaries John Palmer and Thomas Freeman, many pioneer missionaries and seventeen marked graves of those who arrived on the first fleet.

Australia’s Oldest Farm - Experiment Farm Cottage

 

Experiment Farm Cottage is located at 9 Ruse Street, Harris Park. This is the site of the first land grant in Australia, made in 1789 by Governor Phillip to the former convict James Ruse. The cottage is one of Australia’s oldest surviving buildings. Experiment Farm Cottage was built in the 1830s. Experiment Farm Cottage is colonial Indian style bungalow which was built by Surgeon John Harris.

This house is living museum and provides insight into the life and achievements of ex-convict and farmer, James Ruse.

In 1782, James Ruse was sentenced to prison for theft. He was transported to NSW in the First Fleet. When his prison term expired in July 1789 and he was allowed to settle as a farmer. On 21 November 1789 James Ruse made history by occupying one and a half acre land on the hillside – which is now called Harris Park. By 1791 Ruse had successfully farmed the 30 acres and could feed his family.

In October 1793 Surgeon John Harris purchased the land from James Ruse for £40. John Harris already owned the adjacent property. John Harris divided his time between being a surgeon and a farmer.  John Harris lived in the cottage till his death in 1838. The property stayed in the Harris family until 1921.

In 1961, The National Trust of Australia (NSW) purchased the Experiment Farm. This was the first NSW National Trust–owned property.