The Old Cemetery on Fort Canning, Singapore. 
With a plan and four plates. 
By H. A. STALL WOOD. 
This register of tombs in the Old Cemetery on Fort Canning 
was compiled by order of Government on the suggestion of Mr. 
C. B. Buckley who, in his “Anecdotal History of Singapore” mentions 
the loss of the register and suggests that anew one should be com- 
piled. 
No trace of the old register—for it must be assumed some such 
record existed—can be found, and it has therefore been considered 
desirable to make as complete a record as possible of the names of 
those old residents and visitors whose remains have found a resting 
place in this sacred spot. 
The Cemetery stands on the slope of Fort Canning Hill, and is 
approached from the South by Fort Canning Road, through a 
sateway designed partly in the Gothic style of Architecture. It 
was opened in 1822 to take the place of the first Christian Cemetery 
which was situated close to where the flag-staff at Fort Canning 
now stands. It was closed when the Cemetery in Bukit Timah Road 
was opened in 1865. 
The Southern half of the ground was allocated to Members 
of the Anglican community, and the Northern half to those of other 
Christian denominations, the dividing line being marked by a wall. 
The grounds are kept in order by the Public Works Depart- 
ment, and, apart from any interest in the place as a graveyard, the 
beautiful shaded walk offers an attraction to those who appreciate 
* quiet, contemplative surroundings. 
To those who feel an interest in Singapore and its history, few 
places in the Settlement offer so much of interest. Many old resi- 
dents lie buried here, and many tombstones testify to the number 
of lives sacrificed by members of the Civil Service, who were called 
to rest at a very early age, whilst taking their share in the adminis- 
tration of this Settlement, of which we are all so proud. The Uni- 
ted Services also yield their quota of names, unfortunately, some 
well-known, if not illustrious, in the annals of their country. 
The oldest tomb discovered is that dated 1821, erected to the 
memory of John C. Goilingwood of the ship “Susan” A 30. It is 
surmised that this stone was taken from the old original Ceme- 
tery and re-erected here, as this Cemetery was not opened until 
1822. The latest discovered is dated 1868, erected to the memory of 
Marie Dominica Scott, (B 229) a child of only two years of age, and 
the interment presumably took place after the Cemetery was closed 
in 1865, as the parents were possibly interred here. 
Jour. Straits Branch R. A. Soc., No. 61, 1912 
