eHive Object Details

Name/TitleMrs Jane Montgomery Mackinnon : Old Melbourne Cemetery, c. 1920

About this objectA front-on photograph of a decorated chest tomb, mounted on a plinth, which sits over the remains of Jane Montgomery Mackinnon, wife of Lauchlan Mackinnon who was the Member for Port Phillip of the Legislative Council of Sydney.

The monument, described by Selby as "one of the finest works of art in the Cemetery", has finely carved architectural features and elaborate decorations including, acanthus and scrollwork feet, the pattern of which is repeated in the carving mounted on the top of the chest. The two inscription panels are placed on either side of a carved wreath, and an inverted flaming torch appears on both edges.

The inscriptions read:
Left:
Erected By
LAUCHLAN MACKINNON (written in very elaborate script)
in most affectionate remembrance
of his good and faithful wife
JANE MONTGOMERY
who died on the 18th June, 1849.
in the 40th year of her age.

Right: (216 in Selby's grave index, p. 385, OPMHoM)
"She was characterised by good sense, sterling
unbending principle, largeness and warmness of
heart, tender sensibility, and deep toned piety"

Jane was the sister of James Montgomery, solicitor, and died at Cumberland-place, Sydney. Selby tells us that Jane's "body was brought back from Sydney in the 'Shamrock' and placed here." A newspaper article states that "the severity of his domestic affliction" caused Lauchlan to resign his seat on the Council. He later remarried.

Another of Selby's glass slides (GS-TM-59) is a colourised photograph of the tomb taken from the front-right. It is shown that the chest tomb is mounted on a high stone plinth, and that is is enclosed by an iron railing. A palm leaf and three stars are carved on the short side of the chest. Also, it appears that some decorations have been removed from the top of the monument in the time between when the two images were taken.

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.

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 KeywordsWomen

Named CollectionImages collection

Object numberGS-TM-37

Copyright LicenceAll rights reserved