Text Box: Corpus Christi College

Text Box: Adopt a Grave

Text Box: Reverend John Burdett Wittenoom (1789—1855)  

Text Box: John Burdett Wittenoom was born in London England in 1789, however spent the final 29 years of his life in Western Australia. John Burdett was one of eight who arrived in the Swan River Colony bearing the surname of Wittenoom, including his mother; sister Eliza and his five sons; Frederick Dirck, Edward, John Burdett, Henry and Charles. The Wittenoom’s arrived at Fremantle on the 30th of January 1830 upon the ‘Wanstead’, leaving from London to Australia on the 15th August 1829. During his life in England, John attended Oxford University and received a Bachelor of  Arts degree in 1810. John Burdett Wittenoom was depicted as a well-fitted man by training and possessed a high intellectual capacity, both of which enabled him to play an important role within the colony. During his position as Colonial Chaplain, he anticipated the needs of the new colony and the settlers, making him a worthy adversary for this predominant in society. He was responsible for founding and forming a Children’s Friend Society that cared for those who were orphans or children of destitute and poverty. Reverend John Burdett Wittenoom passed away on the 23 January 1855 at the relatively young age of 66, by modern day standards.