Protestant Cemetery

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Protestant Cemetery (25 February 2009)
© Timothy Tye using this photo

Protestant Cemetery Location Map

Protestant Cemetery (25 February 2009)
© Timothy Tye using this photo

The Protestant Cemetery at Northam Road (Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah) is the oldest Christian cemetery in Penang. It holds some of the oldest graves on the island (though not necessarily the oldest, as there may be unnamed Muslim graves, especially along Sungai Pinang which are older than the British settlement itself).

The Protestant Cemetery was created to bury the early British colonial administrators, traders as well as missionaries that have arrived in Penang since its establishment by Captain Francis Light in 1786. Francis Light's grave, also within the cemetery, is one of the oldest there. Francis Light's business partner James Scott, was also buried at the cemetery, as well as members of his family. Some of the early governors of Penang, were also buried in the cemetery. I have been able to identify a number of these graves - many of which have lost their inscriptions to time - and provide below a list of the individuals buried there.

The Protestant Cemetery was used until the late 19th century, when the Western Road Cemetery was created on a bigger piece of land, and new burials were done there. Since then, the Protestant Cemetery ceased to accept new burials.

Tombs at the Protestant Cemetery

Most of the graves at the Protestant Cemetery are built as squarish tombs. The following are the tombs of some of the individuals buried there that I have been able to identify. Click on the thumbnail to learn more about each person.

	Adolf Katz
	Alexander Stuart Brown
	Captain John Glass
	Charles Grant
	Francis Light
	Frida Huttenbach
	George Leith
	G.F. Gottlieb
	James Richardson Logan
	James Scott
	Johann Georg Bausam
	John Robert Cuppage
	Michael Arratoon
	Philip Dundas
	Sir John Gordon Bar
	Sir William Russell
	Stuart Herriot
	Walter Scott
	William Petrie

Other Historical Personalities Buried at the Protestant Cemetery

John Alexander Bannerman (1758-1819)
Colonel John Alexander Bannerman was the Governor of Penang from 1817-1819. The St George's Church was completed during his term.
Reverend Hutchings (1782-1827)
Reverend Sparke Hutchings was the leader of the St George's Church who founded the Penang Free School.
Thomas Leonowens (1828-1859)
Husband to Anna Leonowens, the lady who was hired by King Mongkut (Rama IV) to tutor his children, resulting in her romanticised account which was made famous as "The King and I".
William Edward Philips (1782-1827)
W.E. Philips purchased the property of Captain Francis Light, on which Suffolk House stands. (It is still a debate whether Suffolk House was built by Light or by Philips). Philips also acted as the Governor of the Penang for a few terms, within his own capacity as well as acting on behalf of another. His wife Janet, the daughter of John Alexander Bannerman, was buried with him.

Getting there

Take the Rapid Penang Free Shuttle Bus to Station No. 7 (Lebuh Muntri Station), located along Penang Road at the junction of Muntri Street. From there, walk north along Penang Road until junction of Northam Road. Turn left at Northam Road, walk a short distance and you will find the Protestant Cemetery on your left.

Nearby Sights

Thirty Two at the Mansion

Goh Chan Lau

St Francis Xavier Church

Segara Ninda

Farquhar Street Mission House

Eastern & Oriental Hotel

Click for list of Monuments and Memorials in Penang

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Penang Travel Tips is researched and written by Timothy Tye, universally known as Tim. The text is the copyright of Timothy Tye, and may not be copied for commercial use or re-published in another website without the author's permission. Information provided is in goodwill and is believed to be correct and up-to-date at time of writing. Photographs on this website are the copyright of the author and may not be reused without prior permission. For commercial licensing of photographs, read the licensing terms.