The uniquely named Dransfield was a surprise for us – what a name, but what was its origin? If you want an answer don’t read on, because we don’t have one. Now that that’s out of the way, onto our story! Joseph Ratcliffe was born around 1815 to James and Sally (Fielden) Ratcliffe of Roundfield …
Read more “42.26 – James, Sarah Ann, Maria, Dransfield and Joseph Ratcliffe”
There are two names on this stone, a father, and his son, but only the father is actually in the grave. His son, Peter who is named died at sea, so has no known grave, which is why he is remembered here. The sole occupant of the grave, James Stuttard, was born in Oldham in …
This grave hold five siblings, four of which died very young. The fifth made it to adulthood but his life was needlessly chaotic, and one wonders what his poor parents made of it all. Those parents were James and Susan (Feber) Farrar of Todmorden, who were married at Heptonstall in March 1825. Just in time, …
Read more “42.34 – William, Sarah, John, James John and Howorth Farrar”
As always, the stories we tell aren’t always just of those buried here. There’s also those who might be buried here but aren’t named, and those who were left behind. This story starts with Edmund Mitchell, who was born in February 1810 at Lower Laithe to John and an unknown Mrs. Mitchell. Shore Baptist’s baptism …
They could have had a hefty monument, but children of three of the town’s wealthiest non-Fielden manufacturers and managers are buried here – you wouldn’t suspect would you? Of course one did have a Fielden connection, but it was purely business. Read on to find out more. Ellena Pilling, the uniquely-spelled first person buried here, …
Read more “42.56 – Ellena, Margaret, William Albert and Christiana Sutcliffe”
There are a great many Dawsons here in the graveyard, many descended from Samuel and Hannah here. One of their sons is also here, along with his wife, and their granddaughter – but not the daughter of the son who’s here. Samuel Dawson, the oldest person buried here, was born in 1816 and christened at …
Read more “42.57 – Hannah, Samuel, Edith Ellen, Elizabeth and Edwin Dawson”
This was a confusing tale to research, complicated by the large number of Greenwoods in Todmorden and the regular recycling of names; we even wondered if one of these couples was first cousins! In the end the relationships were simpler than we feared. This grave holds a couple, their granddaughter, and her (no relation!) husband. …
Read more “42.59 – Sally, William, Charles and Mary Greenwood”
Offcumden who made their home here, or at least near here. Roger Bramley was born in 1784 in Downham, midway between Gisburn and Clitheroe and just north of Pendle Hill. A gothic beginning to a not-that-exciting story. His father Edmund was a farmer and Roger spent most of his life in agricultural labour and farming. …
Read more “43.iv – Roger, Rebecca, James and Agatha Bramley”
This simple flat ledger belies its owners – these Holts were perhaps the most well-off Holts in the graveyard, at least in the public area. Not everyone here was the manager of Waterside Mill and lived at Dawson Weir, after all. Those of you who aren’t keen on the Fieldens, browse to another story, sharpish! …
For the past 2.5 years we have used an old, rickety shed which is perched at the back of the upper slope, below the church itself, as a toolshed. Once it served as the storage shed for the school’s gardening club, but the club folded, the graveyard became overgrown, and the new owners of the …