eHive Object Details

Name/TitleTimothy Lane : Old Melbourne Cemetery, c. 1920

About this objectA colourised photograph of an elaborately carved, Gothic chest tomb, surrounded by a simple railing. This monument covers the remains of Timothy Lane, his wife, and four male relatives.

"A valuable old tomb, built like an old Abbey", this monument was in the far north-eastern corner of the cemetery in the Roman catholic section. The wall of the Victoria Markets can be seen in the background, as well as the fence along Queen Street. The ground the monument stands on is sunken below street level and the carving looks damaged. Selby tells us that the tomb was destroyed when the remains were exhumed, and never rebuilt.

The inscription reads: (319 in Selby's grave index p. 393, OPMHoM)
On the ridge of the roof of the tomb there is "Pray for the soul of Mary Lane, good Christians of your charity." The ages and dates were in Roman letters, thus: "In Memory of Timothy Lane, November 3rd, MDCCCLX [1860], aged L [50] years. R.I.P.; David Lane, died MDCCCLII [1852], aged XXXV [35] years; John Dunn[e] died XXII January, MDCCCL [1850], aged XXVIII [28] years; Allan Lane; William Lane, 30th November, MDCCCL [1850], aged 12 years.

The original monument above was replaced by a flat low monument in marble in Fawkner Cemetery. The inscription includes details of his wife, Mary Connell Lane, who died 10th March, 1852. Allan Lane and William Lane were sons of Timothy and Mary. David Lane was Timothy Lane's brother, and John Dunne, a friend.

This image is attributed to Everard Studley Miller who photographed many graves and tombstones in the Old Melbourne Cemetery (established in 1837) around 1920 as part of a project led by Isaac Selby to record and commemorate all aspects of Melbourne's second cemetery (the first being at Flagstaff Hill). The RHSV holds original glass negatives and albums of the photographs from this project.

One of the many glass slides purchased from retailers or specifically made for illustrated lectures given by Isaac Selby between c. 1930 and c. 1955 to raise money for the Old Pioneers Memorial Fund. Selby numbered this slide #51.

For more information about this image contact Royal Historical Society of Victoria.

MakerMiller, Everard Studley, 1886-1956.

Maker RolePhotographer

Measurements8.2 x 8.2 cm

Period1910-1920

Object TypePhotograph

Subject and Association KeywordsSelby, Isaac, 1859-1956

Subject and Association KeywordsMiller, Everard Studley, 1886-1956.

Subject and Association KeywordsOld Melbourne Cemetery (Melbourne)

Subject and Association KeywordsMonuments and memorials

Subject and Association KeywordsCatholic Church

Named CollectionImages collection

Object numberGS-TM-34

Copyright LicenceAll rights reserved