[1] The Darug (various spellings) occupied the area from Botany Bay to Port Jackson north-west to the Hawkesbury and into the Blue Mountains.

[2] Situated on the northern bank of the Hawkesbury River with more difficult access, it did not attract the attention of large landholders.

[4] On 2 February 1811, Macquarie instructed Reverend Samuel Marsden to consecrate the burial grounds at towns on the Hawkesbury including Wilberforce.

[1] The earliest burials in Wilberforce Cemetery were of three drowned men, James Hamilton (Hambleton), Joseph Ware and John Tunstal on 13 December 1811, but their gravesites are unknown.

[1] In July 1822, Macquarie reported that at Wilberforce he had erected, "A Burial Ground of 4 Acres Contiguous to the Temporary chapel, enclosed with a Strong Fence."

Of all Macquarie's cemeteries, Wilberforce has the most interments with the highest proportional representation of ex-convict settlers from the First to the Third Fleets.

[12][1] Though the cemetery was placed in the control of the Church of England, there are burials of people from other denominations as well, such as Roman Catholics and Methodists.

[14] From the earliest days, a road to the north and Kurrajong passed close to the eastern side of the cemetery.

[16] On 4 July 1896, an area of 1 acre was dedicated as a General Cemetery on the opposite side of the unnamed road.

[1] The earliest burials are scattered around the cemetery although there is a definite preference to using the higher ground on the northwestern and northeastern sides.

Even by the mid twentieth century, burials appear to be concentrated on the higher land on the northeastern and northwestern sides.

[1] An aluminium spear picket fence marks the boundary of the former St John's Church of England Cemetery.

[1] The cemetery is notable for the survival of a number of fine altar style slabs, although the condition of these vary.

The side of one wall has a plaque commemorating members of the First Fleet who lived in the area and were buried in the cemetery.

Of all Macquarie's cemeteries, Wilberforce has the most interments with the highest proportional representation of ex-convict settlers from the First to the Third Fleets.

Wilberforce is the only town of those founded by Macquarie which still retains the original buildings and burial ground at its centre.

[1] In conjunction with the schoolhouse-cum-chapel the cemetery has a strong ability to demonstrate Governor Lachlan Macquarie's vision for these towns.

[1] Wilberforce Cemetery was listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 20 August 2010 having satisfied the following criteria.

Of all Macquarie's cemeteries, Wilberforce has the most interments with the highest proportional representation of ex-convict settlers from the First to the Third Fleets.

A total of over 70 people who arrived before 1800 are buried there and a number of original gravestones or markers remain from the early period.

It meets this criterion of State significance because it was one of the five cemeteries founded by Governor Lachlan Macquarie as one of the core functions of the five Hawkesbury towns he established in 1810 and has a strong association with him.

[1] The place is important in demonstrating aesthetic characteristics and/or a high degree of creative or technical achievement in New South Wales.

It meets this criterion of State significance because Wilberforce Cemetery was an integral part of Governor Macquarie's scheme of creating towns with distinctive core functions aimed at improving the morality and social practices of the convict and ex-convict population.

Wilberforce is the only town of those established by Macquarie which still retains the original buildings and burial ground at its centre.

[1] Wilberforce Cemetery contains a remarkable collection of monuments from the early nineteenth century to the present day.

[1] The place has potential to yield information that will contribute to an understanding of the cultural or natural history of New South Wales.

The monuments in Wilberforce Cemetery provide data for the study of the local community and for family history.

[1] The place possesses uncommon, rare or endangered aspects of the cultural or natural history of New South Wales.

Wilberforce Cemetery has a strong ability to demonstrate Governor Lachlan Macquarie's vision for these towns.

[1] This Wikipedia article was originally based on Wilberforce Cemetery, entry number 01837 in the New South Wales State Heritage Register published by the State of New South Wales (Department of Planning and Environment) 2018 under CC-BY 4.0 licence, accessed on 2 June 2018.