St George's Caye Archaeology Reserve
In 2010 the St George's Caye Historic Cemetery was officially declared an Archaeology Reserve by the Institute of Archaeology. Many of Belize founding fathers and families were laid to rest here. The earliest burials are from the 1700s.
Epitaphs
In 1907 John Purcell Usher published the epitaphs from the tombstones at St George's Caye, British Honduras in Memorial Inscriptions & Epitaphs, Belize, British Honduras. We are thankful for this publication since Hurricane Hattie devastated the cemetery and created a channel through the island along the southern boundary of the cemetery, causing many stones to be misplaced. The sarcophagus of Thomas Potts was last observed submerged in this channel.
Sacred to the Memory
of JOHN EMMONS HILL, ESQRE, Who departed this life 11th May, 1808 Aged 37 Years "Long have I been tossed to and fro, Till God's decree is cast, from all storms free, Until my swelling sails shall waft me, Lord, to Thee" |
Sacred
to the Memory of Mrs. Mary Estill Daughter of Mrs. Catherine Ferrall of this Settlement Born July 1, 1784 and departed this life the 23rd of February, 1818 in the 34th year of her age |
HERE
LIES THE BODY OF EDWARD JONES, ESQRE. WHO DEPARTED THIS LIFE ON MONDAY THE 9TH DAY OF APRIL, 1804 AGED 49 YEARS E.J. 1804 (born 1755) |
SACRED
TO THE MEMORY OF ROBERT PERRY WHO DEPARTED THIS LIFE THE 14TH OF OCTOBER, 1787 AGED 45 YEARS R.P 1787 Note - This stone is very much worn and hard to decipher. |