07. Charlotte Balfour – First Burial

Launceston residents will be familiar with Balfour Street, named after Lieutenant-Colonel William Balfour, who was appointed civil and military commandant of the Port Dalrymple settlement in 1825, and came to Launceston with his wife Charlotte and children in April that year. Tragically, she fell ill and died on 22^nd August, aged just 33, leaving behind nine young children. By this time, construction of St. John’s was moving towards its completion, and Charlotte was buried in a brick vault inside the building, adjoining the eastern wall. Hers is the only burial on the St. John’s site, although ashes are interred, a small number in the sanctuary wall, and many more in the memorial garden (1975) and columbarium (2020).  All Saints History Collection : Individual : Charlotte Balfour (nee Clarke) [P119]