Sealers’ Grave Marker

This grave marker was placed to commemorate the death of three sealers. The marker is dated 1838 and is the oldest known on South Georgia. The sealers left little behind in South Georgia and there are few accounts from the era. Grave markers like this one are one of the few places we find sealers named. The inscription on the marker reads: 

JOHN

ANDERSON

Mate of Schr Mary

Jane of N York.

Capt Joseph E Parsons

Died Nov 23rd AD 1838

in this port on board

of the Brig Medina

of N York. Capt

Elijah Hallett

aged 36 Years

An Honest Man

When this marker was removed from Prince Olav Harbour a replica was put in its place. Grytviken cemetery was established where it is today because this is where sealers first buried their dead. We have sealers’ gravemarkers from Grytviken in the museum collection. When they were removed from the cemetery replicas were put in their place.