This is the oldest cemetery in Stanford. The first grave is that of Hester Parlby, who passed away in 1835 at age 27, presumably during childbirth. She was the wife of Samual Parlby, who owned the original farm from 1831 to 1838. He was devastated by her death and buried her on a slope within sight of the house, which developed into the first graveyard of the village.
Many graves belong to the people and families employed by Robert Stanford and later lived in the village. Moore and Walsh are examples of such families. There is also a rich history of the Dutch descendants who farmed in the area and later lived in the village – Fourie, De Villiers, Vermeulen etc.
Philippus de Bruyn, the founder of the village, is also buried in the west cemetery.
In 2022, a project was started to restore the overgrown and neglected cemeteries. Many graves were buried under layers of soil, weeds and shrubs; tombstones were hidden or broken. The project team, called the ‘Forgotten Ones’ is one of many Stanford Conservation success stories and has drawn up a list of each identified grave.
