#OnThisDay 8 September 1792 the first possible burial, that of convict Michael Dunn, may have occured in the Sydney Burial Ground. Built on traditional Gadigal land, the Sydney Burial Ground, also known as the Old Sydney Burial Ground, the George St Burial Ground, the Cathedral Close Cemetery or the Town Hall Cemetery, was set out by Governor Phillip and Rev. Johnson in September 1792 and was bounded by George, Druitt, Bathurst and Kent Streets.
It is estimated that approximately 2,300 people were buried at this site which was used until around 1820 when a new burial ground was opened on the outskirts of Sydney, at the Brickfields (later Central Railway Station). The remains of the Old Burial Ground were removed in 1869 to Haslem's Creek (Rookwood Cemetery) as the site was cleared for the building of Sydney Town Hall.
Sources: City of Sydney. (2019). History: Old Sydney burial ground; Australian History Research. Old Sydney burial ground
