This stone supposedly has four names on it and four people buried beneath it; but we worked out earlier in this research project that Martha Jane Sutcliffe here actually “belongs” one row below, at S3.5 with her husband William Sutcliffe. So we won’t include her in the story for this grave. Scholfield Collins (occasionally spelled …
Read more “S4.5 – Scholfield and Mary Jane Selina Collins, and Winifred Mary Metcalfe”
Jane is one of the oldest residents of the burial ground underneath the school extension, having died aged 89. The first online record we found for her, after her burial record, was the 1939 Register where she appears living in Colne and with her occupation given as “unpaid domestic duties”. At 88 years old?! Jane …
William is the only person in this plot, as far as we know. His life was short but he packed a lot into it. William Sutcliffe was born in 1840. His father John was a weaver, and so was William, for the first three quarters of his life. In 1871 he married Martha Jane Holt …
Several generations in one grave – this story takes us from Preston to Liverpool to Todmorden and surrounding areas. It even includes an honourary member of the family. John Johnson is the eldest member of this family buried here. Born in 1814 in Chorley, he was a mule spinner, and his children would all follow …
Read more “S3.3 – Catherine, John and Mary Johnson, and Margaret Moore”
Elizabeth is buried a long way from her family, and alone, here in Todmorden – we know little about how she got here, but she is one of a long line of working people who dared to stand up for their rights and as such deserves our respect. The image above is a list of …
There are so many Crowthers buried at Christ Church that you sometimes wonder if they’re all related. Many lived at Well Street at one point, further complicating things. These are some of those Crowthers and their stories. Elisha Crowther was born in 1831 and baptised on January 1st 1832, the son of John and Mary …
Read more “S3.1 – Elisha, Betsey, William Henry and Betty Crowther”
Miranda (Scholfield) Duggan is at S2.10, under the school…well, she isn’t under the school, not really, because (in theory) that row and plot are above ground still. She lies next to the wall that drops down to the cricket club. It seems as though we know she’s there thanks to the sexton’s book rather than …
Some of Richard’s story is told in his daughter Nellie’s story, but we will start from the beginning here, and include a few of the other bit players in her tale – with Richard and Caroline (Barker) Stansfield. Richard’s story begins with his father’s story. Charles Stansfield was a labourer living at Sourhall when he …
Read more “50.58 – Jessie, Ada, Richard and Caroline Stansfield, and Kate Ogden”
Their son, John William, lies under the school; they lie here. Think of John next time you get a free book in the train station office or visit WH Smiths, and think of Helen next time you nip into Boots. John Richards was born in Manchester in 1852. His parents Evan and Elizabeth were both …
“In Loving Memory of Nellie, wife of John W. Richards of 118 Rochdale Rd. Died Jan. 5th 1922 aged 43 years. Also the above named John William Richards, died Jan. 15th 1950 aged 73 years.” This is another one of the few stones buried under the school whose inscription we know in full, thanks to …