“Being swallowed by a tree” is how we mark this stone as special on our transcript, and we’re lucky to be able to know as much as we do about the names on this stone. Thank you to the previous transcription efforts for helping us out here! Isaac Button was a bricklayer whose journey from …
This story was told on our Remembrance Sunday 2023 tour. This is another tale that is about a family, not just a soldier. As often happens, it is filled with tragedy, and not a little graphic detail. Reader discretion is advised. John Albert Barker was born in 1882 to John and Susannah (Marshall) Barker. Susanna …
Initially thought to read “J. McC.”, this plot marker is actually J. McG. – and that opened the door to John’s story, that of a young man who died early after a very mixed set of life experiences. From a troubled household to sporting fame, this is his story. John McGrail was born in Leeds …
This grave story will straddle two graves, but the background for John is already told partly at S6.6 and 13.12, and the Ackroyd family extends well beyond just those two graves as well…for now, though, it’s easier to combine these two stones into one story. John Ackroyd’s background is well known so first let’s start …
Read more “54.45 and 13.11 – John, Sarah, Thomas and Barker Ackroyd”
Howorth is someone whose name took a little bit of figuring out – in the 1980s, his first name was recorded as “Howard/th?” – because if you can’t decide one or the other, why not both? The TAS later determined it was likely Howarth, but really, it was Howorth. And what a Howorth! He would …
This massive monument, almost a quadruple plot, was one of if not the very first grave whose overgrowth was checked and peeled back. It turned out to be a very important one, as Hannah here was the reason Christ Church had such a beautiful and well-regarded peal of bells. The bells were bought by her …
Read more “36.9 – James, Hannah, Roland, George and Sarah Howorth, and Mary King”
This grave tells a very interesting story – one of definite grief and confusion, and one of possible suicide or a corporate cover-up. The reader will have to decide. You can find it next to the cedar growing out of the middle of the lower half of the graveyard next to the informal path. Jane …
A married couple named Joseph and Mary – no jokes please! This beautiful cross in the vaults was all but swallowed up by the most incredible, but destructive, crown of ivy. As we cut it back further and further, we realised that the cross itself was this close to toppling forwards – not ideal when …
This headstone lies flat on the ground, seemingly fallen and unfortunately cracked and damaged. Mentioned on this stone are Henry Greenwood and his wife Emily (maidenly Green). Also, their son Harold Greenwood and his wife Edith (maidenly Davis). Harold was born in Todmorden in 1893, the only child of Henry and Emily Greenwood. On 17th …
Roger (or Rodger) Craven was born in Todmorden in 1865, his parents were William Alfred Craven and Betty Pickles. He married Ada Ann Greenwood in 1891, the family lived on Eagle Street and by 1894 Roger and Ada Ann had two children : Ellen (born 1892), and William (born 1893). Roger was a loom tackler …