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Frederick Burgess was the postmaster in Picton for 20 years until his early death at 48 years of age.
Initially the post office was run from a shop and dwelling rented by the PMG department from George Webster, the manager of the CBC bank. There were many complaints about the condition of this building and inspectors reported a leaking roof, the water tank leaked and needed cleaning, the cesspit was unemptied and was considered uninhabitable, old, damp and unhealthy. Burgess considered the unsanitary conditions led to the death of his little daughter Leila in 1887 and to sickness of other family members.
Frederick Burgess refused to live in this dwelling and rented another place at his own expense. In the meantime there was vocal support for his plight and demands for a new post office. This was opened in 1893 and the Burgess family moved upstairs to clean and comfortable living quarters.
This fine white marble column, symbolising reaching for God, is a memorial not only to Frederick Burgess, his wife and daughter Leila but to other members of the family.
