Earlier this week, I had the opportunity to wander through Australia's oldest cemetery: St John's, O'Connell Street, Parramatta. For the avoidance of confusion, this cemetery is some distance away from St John's Anglican Cathedral in Parramatta. The entrance is opposite Aird Street, near Westfiled Shopping Centre. The cemetery dates back to 1790, and is surrounded by a brick wall which dates back to c1810. The grounds are well maintained, but some headstones have suffered over time. A curious feature is that many graves have footstones as well as headstones. The footstones usually only bear the initials of the deceased, sometimes with the year of death also inscribed. Although I have no relationship with any of the occupants of St Johns, of the many interesting headstones, this one caught my eye: for the detail it gives concisely; for the questions begging to be answered; and for the pathos which it evokes: In memory of Sarah wife of Mr Moses MOSES formerly of Hobart Town and now of Yass Died of broken heart from peculiar family trials April 1st 1841 aged 47 years Peace to her shade May the Divine Creator receive her soul into everlasting rest and pardon her former unnatural oppressors Peter THOMAS Darwin, Australia <[email protected]>