Category: Volunteers

Tree hugging

by Pete Lowdenin General, Volunteers, Walks, Wildlife

Tree hugging gets a bad name. It’s used as pejorative term to denote people who are not on speaking terms with reality. As my mother would have said, ‘away with the fairies’. This was usually when she was talking about me.

Moving on.

However, in some cases, it can be a useful tool to estimate the age of a tree. The item below is taken from a book, ‘Hidden Histories: A Spotter’s Guide to the British Landscape’ by Mary-Ann Ochota. It was published in 2016. It’s worth buying.

As Mary-Ann says in her introduction,

‘When you look at the British landscape, you don’t just see the new, the now: you also see the traces of what came before – in the shape of a field, the wall of a cottage, a standing stone or churchyard.’

In essence, history is all around us and its up to us to read it. In terms of the cemetery the easy bits to read are the headstones.

Tree hugging

Other things are a little more tricky. And here we come to the trees. Some of the trees in the cemetery are probably remnants of the original plantings when the cemetery was laid out in 1847. Now that’s close on 200 years old. That’s a decent age. Only long lived species will have survived that length of time. So Oaks, Limes, Ash, Horse Chestnut and maybe Whitebeams are the likely survivors of the original planting.

The ubiquitous Sycamore that swamps the cemetery now is almost certainly not an original planting. Indeed it’s doubtful it was planted at all but invaded from outside. The Silver Birches that were originally planted will have died by now as their life spans are almost comparable to humans. The Yew in the Quaker Burial Ground would not have been planted until 1855 at the earliest. So that one’s easy to date.

But here’s a fun way to gauge the age of some of the trees in the cemetery.

How old is that tree

As Mary-Ann says, this could be fun, especially with children. Once the foliage dies down and it gets easier to get to some of the trees, why not try it?  Half term might be a good time.

Here’s a handy chart to help you with an Oak. You won’t be far off with other trees using this guide. Good hunting.

How old is that tree 2

 

 

Cemetery Wildlife – August 2021

by Helen Bovillin General, News, Volunteers, Wildlife4 Comments on Cemetery Wildlife – August 2021

August was a quiet month, weather-wise, with no extremes of heat, cold or rain but with plenty of dull days.  Pretty much a typical summer month in these parts! Summer Wildlife

Birds

It seems to have been a good year for the cemetery’s birds, with plenty of young ones around.  All the cemetery’s Tit species have bred successfully – Long-tailed, Blue, Great and Coal (pictured above).  There are some young Blackbirds around, and I saw a young Song Thrush too – its tail feathers will appear later but it is still able to fly without them.

Juvenile Song Thrush

The best, albeit brief, sighting this month was a pair of Bullfinches but I didn’t manage to get a photograph of either of them.  The young Goldfinches of last month’s report are doing well and starting to feed independently.

There are plenty of Chaffinches around and these are easy to spot, especially the males with their pinkish-brown feathers.  The females are much duller shades of brown and can sometimes be mistaken for Sparrows.  But male and female Chaffinches have white feathers in their wings which make them easily identifiable in flight.

Male Chaffinch

Female Chaffinch

I find it fascinating that the males and females of some bird species have distinctly different plumage – for example, Chaffinches and Bullfinches.  This is known as sexual dimorphism. Their differences are quite obvious to see.  However, the differences between male and female Goldfinches are much more subtle to the point of them being almost identical.  I would not be able to say with confidence what sex the Goldfinches of last month’s report were!

Butterflies and other insects

It has been a very quiet month for butterflies.  One of my neighbours has a huge Buddleia in her garden which is normally teeming with butterflies in August.  I have only seen a couple on it so far and this lack of activity is reflected in the cemetery.  I caught brief glimpses of a few White butterflies (I was unable to tell which species) and I saw a Holly Blue flying high around some Ivy.

The most common butterfly species in the cemetery is the Speckled Wood and on sunny days there are usually a few around.  They flutter around each other in the air and then spend time basking in the sun.  This one was in the Quaker Burial Ground.

Speckled Wood

There are Ladybirds and Hoverflies around too but not in great numbers.

Marmalade Hoverfly on Wild Carrot

Flowers and other plants

The Cow Parsley and Wild Garlic has died back completely to the point where it’s hard to see where it once grew.  Any plants now in flower that look a bit like Cow Parsley will most likely either be Hogweed, which is quite a tall plant, or the lower-growing Wild Carrot.

I struggled to find anything in flower to show you this month.  The cemetery is still very green though!  I did manage to find a few Buttercups, Herb Robert, Nipplewort, Great Willowherb and Feverfew.  The berries are now starting to appear on the Snowberry bush but it is still in flower.

Nipplewort

 

Great Willowherb

 

Feverfew

 

Snowberry

My main aim is to write about the wild flowers and plants in the cemetery.  This section of the newsletter is called Cemetery Wildlife after all!  But many of the trees and shrubs growing in the cemetery are there because of what was planted in the past.  They have now become naturalised so I will not draw any distinctions between these and the wild flowers.  Regardless of whether or not they are native, they still have value to the cemetery wildlife.

The volunteers will only be planting native species in the cemetery, such as a recently planted English Oak.  Any wild flowers to be set will be native species that will blend in with their surroundings and complement what is already growing there.

The situation in the Quaker Burial Ground is slightly different because this area is owned by the Quakers under a long lease.  They have requested that the Friends of Hull General Cemetery manage this area on their behalf.  It is still in a conservation area where the same considerations apply with regard to the felling of trees and so on.  But we have been able to set some new shrubs and plants that are not necessarily native species.  However, we will also be planting some native species whenever we can.

Mushrooms

I have not seen any fresh large specimens this month, but there are still plenty of tiny mushrooms to be seen growing on the ground.  Given that the footpaths are covered in wood chippings this is not unexpected!

Mammals

I have no new Fox or Hedgehog sightings to report, but there are always some Grey Squirrels around and these can be seen almost every day.  There will always be someone who doesn’t like them of course.  But I never tire of watching them chasing each other up and around the trees, or simply posing on the ground.  And what child doesn’t love seeing them during family walks through our favourite cemetery?

The Grey Squirrel can vary in colour quite a lot – this one has a brilliant white chest and mainly grey/brown colouring.  But some Squirrels can have more gingery hairs and very pale ginger chests.

Eastern Grey squirrel

Conclusion

A rather uneventful month for the cemetery wildlife, with the dull and cooler days perhaps accounting for the low numbers of butterflies on the wing.  The grass verge on Spring Bank West still doesn’t contain many flowers and this will have affected butterfly numbers too.  But the birds are around in good numbers.  Berries are now starting to appear on the bushes so they will have plenty of food to keep them going as we head into September. Dare I say that it is starting to feel slightly Autumnal already?

FOHGC

by Pete Lowdenin Events, News, Volunteers1 Comment on FOHGC

For those of you lucky enough to live in the Avenues Ward this is old news.

However I thought I’d like to share it with a wider audience. Here’s a copy of a leaflet with the confirmation that any residual issue about the FOHGC working in the Hull General Cemetery has now been resolved.Hull City Council request to the FOHGC

The Council and FOHGC look forward to working in partnership with each other for the foreseeable future. Together we hope to reclaim the site for the community, the wildlife and the history nerd.

We would like to thank the Councillors and the Council Officers for having listened to the arguments, both for and against, on this issue. Having done so they found in favour of the FOHGC. We are happy that they feel they can trust the FOHC and wanted the FOHGC to be their partner in this endeavour.

We would also like to thank the many people who contacted the Councillors and Officers expressing their support for us. To coin a phrase from a somewhat tarnished politician, ‘We are all in it together.’

Let’s all now move forward together.

Here’s the leaflet

Council leaflet

Anniversary September 1868

by Pete Lowdenin General, History, Volunteers1 Comment on Anniversary September 1868

The anniversary this month is unusual. It shows a more human side to the Hull General Cemetery Company board. I hope you like it.

I’ve often painted the Hull General Cemetery Company as hard-hearted. Grasping capitalists striving to secure whatever gain they can get. And I’m usually right. Which is where an instance where they are seen in a more charitable way should be highlighted. This is one of those times.

Plus ca change

Scattered through the Minute Books of the Company, one finds instances of damage done to the Cemetery grounds. Often these are thefts from graves. No, not bodies, but flowers. Sometimes whole bushes. Or property damage to the fences or cemetery buildings. In 1902 some young boys from the newly opened school in Thoresby Street smashed all of the windows in the Chapel. Well, all of the windows that weren’t already smashed, for the Chapel was already quite run-down.

In September 1868 the Board was informed by Mr Nequest, the superintendent, of further damage. And by a repeat offender.

 

3.9.1868 Withington HGC minute book

The Withingtons

Before we look at what the Board decided to do let’s take a quick look at John Withington.

He was born in Howden in 1850 and baptised at the Anglican church there. His father, Samuel, had been born in the USA but was a British citizen. He had moved back from the USA at some time. However he is a little difficult to track down.

 

Withington baptism record

Family research? Who needs it?

His mother too, Mary Jane Cramp is also elusive. In the marriage register she states that she is ‘of this parish’, meaning Holy Trinity, Hull. In the census of 1851 she states that she was born there. However there is no record of this.

Their daughter Emma, is stated to have been born in Hull. This may be true. However she was baptised in Keighley. So we can see that things aren’t quite straightforward. Welcome to family history research.

Withington marriage 1835

 

Samuel and Mary Jane’s marriage took place in 1835 as may be seen above. By the time of the 1851 census, 10 months after John Charles is born they live in Howden.

1851 Howden

 

Withington 1851 census

 

Samuel is the clerk, come station master, of Howden station. By the 1861 census Samuel has moved his family to Hull. They now live in Pearson Street, a nice neighbourhood. Samuel is a coal merchant dealer and appears to be making a good living at it.

1861 Hull

 

Withington 1861 census a

Withington 1861 census b

 

By the 1861 census above Emma is no longer in the household and there is an Emma Withington living as a servant to a share broker in Chorlton, Manchester. This, incidentally, is a possible site for Samuel in the 1841 census but our focus is drifting a little here. More interestingly is the arrival of grandson which may explain Emma’s disappearance. One must keep up appearances, especially in a good street.

As we know in September 1868 John Charles, who would have been aged 17, was apprehended stealing from the Cemetery. By the time of the 1871 census, which invited further information from the public, we can perhaps catch a glimpse of why.

1871 and the reason why

 

Withington 1871 census

 

John Charles’s name is above. The final column notes ‘Invalid from epilepsy’. Was it this that lead to his behaviour? Thefts that appeared to have no reason behind them. What on earth would he want the Cemetery notice board for?

Madness in all its forms

Epilepsy. ‘Touched by God’. A gentle way of speaking about this disease. Yet epileptics were also viewed as imbeciles, idiots, lunatics and, more obviously, problems. Lord Shaftesbury, the great philanthropist, saviour of the poor climbing boy of chimney sweep lore, had an epileptic son.  He voiced, with sorrow and disdain,  the general opinion of the public shown towards epileptics.

‘Epileptic fits are treated like madness, and madness constitutes a right, as it were, to treat people as vermin.‘

This usually meant confinement in an asylum where, because of the nature of the disease in that it was not curable, was for the long term.

As a young man I worked in an institution with people with learning difficulties. Their behaviour was portrayed as ‘challenging.’ That word covers quite a few things, none of them pleasant.

How would someone cope in that environment who only had epileptic fits occasionally?  What would be the end result of that incarceration? How long could that person’s sanity remain?

That the Withington family kept their son at home shows great love and courage. That the Cemetery Company showed some insight into the family’s issues is even more incredible.

The Cemetery Company shows its heart

The Board decided that they would not press any charges against the boy. Instead the Board communicated with the boy’s father. They said that if the father,

 

3.9.1868 Withington 2

 

The family must have maintained this promise for he does not feature again in the Cemetery’s books. However, this may be due to the fact that John died in 1874. A shortened life was often the fate of epileptics.

John’s death

John Withington's death cert

A weight was probably lifted from the minds of his parents with his death. The worry of what would happen to their son after their deaths would have weighed heavy. I wonder if their grief was assuaged in any way by that thought? I doubt it.

John was buried in Hull General Cemetery in  a family grave. He was the first occupant. By the time it was filled it contained his father, mother and a younger brother. The stone was removed in the 1970s.

A rather sad anniversary item. Sorry

Anniversary August 1907

 

The Quaker burial ground

by Bill Longbonein Events, History, News, Volunteers, Walks1 Comment on The Quaker burial ground

Activities in Hull General Cemetery during August.

Most of the work in the cemetery during August was taken up with upgrading of the Quaker Burial Ground. This work was undertaken on behalf of the Quaker’s Committee.

The Matthew Good Foundation kindly donated £1,000.This was used for the purchase of trees, plants and materials to carry out the work.

The broken perimeter hedge/fence was repaired and new defensive planting installed. This was done to form just 2 entrances/exits. The privet was given a light trim.

Quaker stones in QBG

A kerb and limestone chippings were placed around the 7 stones that originated in the Hodgson St and Owstwick Burial Grounds. This provides a great focal point for these historically important stones. The Quaker’s are looking to provide an information board to explain the origin of the stones. There already is a board explaining the presence of the Quaker burial ground.

The dilapidated headstone of  Joseph Heward, the first Quaker burial in the cemetery, was re-laid and straightened. Several other fallen kerb stones were straightened. Moss was carefully removed from the lettering on the headstones to enable them to be more easily read.

bench in QBG

A ‘Rest and Contemplation’ bench was erected in the SW corner. This was formed from a large sycamore branch that fell near the cholera monument a year or so ago.

Other fallen branches were chipped and laid as a path leading from the 2 entrances to the new bench.

New planting

The laurel bushes were pruned back to give a more formal appearance. Several shrubs and plants were planted to complement the existing plants. These including Fatsia Japonica, Choisya, Euonymus, Agapanthus and ornamental grasses.

A thousand spring bulbs have been ordered for planting in Autumn.  These include wild garlic, English bluebells, snowdrops, crocus and daffodils. Hopefully these will provide a riot of colour in the spring.

A specimen laburnum was also planted to provide early summer colour after the bulbs have finished their display.

A shallow watering dish was placed in a shady area of the burial ground. This will provide a water source for birds and small mammals.

A short, on-site, talk about the Quakers in Hull and the work of the Friends of Hull General Cemetery, was given by the Quakers on the afternoon of Saturday 21st August.

The volunteers gave a guided tour around the cemetery to the U3A, AWAKE history group during August, generating £36.00 in donations.

John Symons in the Cemetery

by Pete Lowdenin Facebook Archive, General, History, Volunteers, Walks

Sometime in the spring of 1889, Alderman John Symons started on a walk from his home at 15, Coltman Street  He wended his way through the newly laid out West Park. He then strolled down Spring Bank West commenting that the last time he had been that way it was a ‘grassed lane and now was a flagged footpath.’ His aim was to walk around  Hull General Cemetery for a possible article for the Eastern Morning News.

At the entrance to the Cemetery he met William Hodsman, manager of the monumental works for the Cemetery. Together they strolled and John Symons reminisced. Stonemason of the Cemetery; part two.

His reminiscences are a valuable resource now. Through his eyes we can look back to a time over 130 years ago and catch a faint glimpse of Hull General Cemetery in its pomp.

Karen and George

Probably with this idea in mind, some time in the spring of 2021, volunteers Karen and George decided to retrace John Symons’ journey that day.  Here’s what they found.

The walk

Symons’ comments are in bold. Karen and George’s are in italics.

In 1889 Alderman John Symons wrote the book Kingstoniana – Historical Gleanings and Personal Recollections. One chapter, A visit to the Spring Bank Cemetery, is fascinating. I thoroughly recommend buying a copy. “meditations amongst the tombs” – the quotes are from that chapter.

Kingstoniana first and second editions

Today George and I retraced his route, as closely as possible, pausing at the 24 headstones that still remain today. I hope you enjoy.

We retraced our steps many times carefully following John Symon’s route. Over 6,000 steps.

Map of the circuitous route taken

The remaining stones; Clowes to Wilde

“The last time I visited the cemetery…there was scarcely a grave near the tomb of the Rev William Clowes”

William Clowes

“Here is the stone tomb, erected to the memory of Captain Cape…He was a diminutive, delicate-looking man in life”

William Cape

“A little further on, is a neat tomb, denoting the spot where rest the remains of the late Rev. T. Stratten”

Thomas Stratten the elder

“Opposite to Mr. Stratten’s tomb may be seen that of Mr. William Irving, J.P, Mr Stratten’s friend”

William Irving jnr

“The next monument that attracts the eye is that of Thomas Wilde, better known by the familiar friends of his day as “Tom”

Thomas Wilde

Hodge to Fountain

“A granite obelisk adjacent perpetuates the memory of William Hodge who from a humble position rose to considerable social influence”

William Hodge

“While I was standing admiring the foliage of a splendid cypress tree, I discovered the resting-place of the prince of manufacturers, Mr. Alderman Blundell”

Henry Blundell

“The epitaph notifies that it was erected by subscription to the memory of Captain John Gravill, who during a period of forty years, was engaged in the northern whale and seal fishery.”

Captain Gravill

“The Hull Guardians of the Poor negotiated with the company for the purchase of a plot of land for the burial of the Workhouse Inmates. Alderman John Fountain was the Governor at that time”

John Fountain

Dr Beck to Flint

“Near these lowly graves is a slate-coloured slab, bearing a coronet, as if in mocking contrast to those around it. It is raised to the memory of Count de Wendinsky, of Worden Castle, in Galicia, a Polish patriot exiled from his home, who resided in Hull, under the assumed name of Dr. Beck”

Dr Beck

“Opposite Mr. Middleton’s grave (no longer exists) is a pyramid, “To the memory of John Lumsden, J.P.” John Lumsden

John Lumsden

“…may be seen the funeral columns to several public men, amongst which may be found the names of “W.B. Carrick J.P., formerly Mayor of this town”

W.B.Carrick

“and “W.W. Darling,” all once men of Mark”

William Darling

“Our attention is attracted to a plain grave with a white marble kerb. Lying in the centre, is a magnificent and chaste sculptured cross. It is placed in memory of one of Hull’s most kind and tender-hearted citizens, who was truly one of nature’s nobility….”T. W. Flint J.P.”

T.W.Flint

Roberts to Rollit

“The next obelisk that attracted my attention was that of the late gifted and eloquent Alderman George Christopher Roberts….who, by the unaided force of a clear intellect, indefatigable energy, and rare talent, rose to the high offices in this, his adoptive town, of Alderman, Town Clerk, and Mayor”

George Roberts

“A few steps onwards brought me to the monument that self-made merchant who, from humble beginnings, became Alderman, Justice of the Peace, and twice Mayor of Hull. I refer to the late Thomas Thompson.” Thomas Thompson

Thomas Thompson

“Nearly every religious denomination in this town have secured allotments for their dead, and here is one dedicated to the Society of Friends. How noteworthy is the simplicity of their memorials, which have the appearance of stone couches. In reading the names of the sleepers, I noticed one to the memory of Mr. Samuel Priestman”

Samuel Priestman

“I have now arrived at that portion of ground consecrated according to the rites of the Church of England. The first vault that attracted my attention was that of the family of our distinguished townsman, Sir Albert Kaye Rollit, M.P.”

A.K.Rollit

Rylands to King

“…a colossal stone obelisk inlaid with marble crests and coats of arms. It is erected to the memory of the late Joseph Rylands, at one time the largest sailing ship owner, and one of the most enterprising merchants Hull has had”

Joseph Rylands

“There is a very pretty sculptured obelisk standing by itself on the extreme right in this vicinity; it is erected to the memory of W. H. Pearson, aged forty-two years, late of the firm of Brownlow and Pearson”

William Pearson

“Opposite is a massive Carrara marble sarcophagus, which states that “Here lieth the remains of Thomas Earle (sculptor, of London), born at Hull June the 5th, 1810; died at London April 28th, 1876.” The statues of her Majesty the Queen, and Prince Albert, in the Pearson Park, were the handiwork of this eminent sculptor”

Thomas Earle

“I next paid a pilgrimage to the high pinnacle in memory of the lamented Dr. Gordon, who devoted his life to the political elevation of the working men of Hull” Dr. William Gordon

William Gordon

“a man who did useful work for the town. There could have been very few of the inhabitants of this borough to whom the late Alderman Abbey was not well known, for during his lifetime extending over fourscore years, he had never ceased from activity in public affairs”

Thomas Abbey

“…the resting place of the late Alderman King, during his life-time one of the most respected medical men in the town. The headstone, which marks his grave, is of Scotch granite, and a cross of the same material stands upon a pedestal of rough rockery stone.”

Kelburne King

A very round about route

This was the extent of Karen and George’s expedition. For anyone who knows the Cemetery it is obvious that many of the stones mentioned are quite distant from the next one described by Symons. Indeed, if he did this route, it was quite circuitous . As Karen said, over 6000 steps, and just in the cemetery.

Let’s not forget that he had walked from Coltman Street and presumably would have gone back home. I think he may have hailed a cab from the stand outside the Cemetery. I know I would have done.

John Symons’s grave

That Symons did this walk is interesting. John Symons was a Jew. His burial place would not have been this cemetery. Why was he doing this walk? Surely not simply to fulfil a promise to an editor. No, I believe it was probably for the reason he cites in his final paragraph,

‘A visit to this Cemetery now and then is good for the soul, for from the sepulchral slabs may be learned sacred lessons.’ 

I can’t argue with that. It works for me.

He was finally laid to rest in Delhi Street Jewish Cemetery on Hedon Road. Karen and George contacted the custodian of that site, Mr Phillip Daniels. He escorted them to John Symons’s last resting place.

John Symons and his wife's headstones

Not only us, latter day followers of a true ‘influencer’, should be grateful for Symons’ work.

The day after his funeral his will was read. Included in that will was a bequest. A bequest to the ‘incurable sick’ of Hull. That sum, using the measuring worth website, ranges from almost £2 million pounds up to £18 million today. https://www.measuringworth.com/

Symons bequest

What a thoroughly nice man.

John Lumsden

by Bill Longbonein Facebook Archive, General, History, Volunteers

Another Mayor of Hull buried in Hull General Cemetery is John Lumsden.

Scottish roots

Originally from Edinburgh, he married his wife, Jane Sinclair Campbell Coghill there in 1836, moving to Hull soon after their marriage. They had 7 children. The family originally lived in Dock Street, where, in 1851, John was recorded at being a carrier and shipping agent.

With the rapid growth in the trade of Hull, John became a member of The Exchange. He was also an advocate of the railways, particularly the Hull & Selby Railway and was a patron of the Sailor’s Orphanage on Spring Bank.

Death of wife

In 1859 his wife Jane died whilst giving birth to their 4th son Sinclair Campbell.

John was obviously successful, and in 1860 he joined partnership with Brownlow, Pearson & Co shipbuilders, formed by William Brownlow and William Hunt Pearson. The company was now known as Brownlow, Lumsden & Co. and they built many ships both in Hull & Hartlepool.

By 1861 John had moved away from Dock Street to 27 Lister Street, where he is noted a ship owner and agent in the census of that year.

Second marriage

In 1862 he married again. This was to a member of his wife’s family, Agnes Auld Coghill.

He became mayor of Hull in 1863. In 1864 William Brownlow died, and Lumsden took on engineer, CD Holmes, who eventually became a partner in the business.

Southfield House

John had Woodfield’s House built in Southfield, Hessle in 1867, which still remains to this day as the Emmanuel Care Home.  His son John died of heart disease there the following year aged just 28.

Brownlow, Lumsden and Co were eventually taken over by the Ellerman Wilson Line.

Death

John died in 1876 aged 71. His 2nd wife, Agnes Auld died in 1899. He is buried with both of his wives and son John, in Hull General Cemetery, where there is a marble obelisk to their memories.

John Lumsden memorail

News

by Pete Lowdenin Events, General, News, Volunteers, Wildlife3 Comments on News

Last month a meeting took place between the Councillors, a number of Council Officers and the FOHGC. Andrew Wilson, Parks and Open Spaces Manager chaired the meeting This meeting was called to resolve some of the issues that are facing the Hull General Cemetery at this time. Hull City Council request to the FOHGC

Friends of Hull General Cemetery Statement

Following a recent meeting with representatives of Hull City Council (the Council), the Council confirmed that the Friends of Hull General Cemetery (the Friends) are the designated partners of the Council for the management of Hull General Cemetery (the Cemetery).  The Cemetery’s description as a “Semi natural green space incorporating historical assets, located within a conservation area” has been agreed with the Council.

The Friends will liaise with the Council’s Bereavement Services department regarding the care of the monuments and headstones, and will manage and care for the natural environment in accordance with the guidelines set out by the Council’s Open Spaces Development Officer.  The Friends will submit regular ‘Proposed’ plans of the work to be carried out in the Cemetery, such plans having been agreed with the Council.

These plans will take into account the bird nesting season which was established as being from 1 March to 31 July; no major work is to be undertaken during this period.  The Friends will abide by all legal responsibilities under the relevant Acts of Parliament such as the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.

The partnership between the Friends and the Council is a two-way one; the Council should advise the Friends of the Council’s proposed activities in the Cemetery such as push tests, grass cutting and tree felling.

The Friends are also working in partnership with the local Quaker group on the restoration and upkeep of the Quaker Burial Ground towards the western end of the Cemetery.

 

Anniversary August 1907

by Pete Lowdenin Volunteers

This month’s anniversary is rather bitter-sweet. It is the anniversary of the Board of Directors being reminded of an anniversary in the past. I wonder what went through their minds when Michael Kelly showed them his finds.

In 1907 the Company sold the frontage land on Princes Avenue for development. This development was to be the land for the present day shops. In selling this land the Company made a nice profit. The land had considerably increased in value since the Company bought it. This profit went into the shareholder’s pockets.

The down side to the sale was that many of the working buildings of the Company would need to be removed. This was a graphic show of how far the Company’s fortunes had sunk.

The Lodge

Also affected was the the Lodge and the eastern cottage as well as the gate posts and gates. The lodge was to lose part of its front and the eastern cottage was to be demolished all together. To accommodate the widening of Princes Avenue the entrance to the Cemetery shifted slightly, swinging its eastern end further north.

In the consequent demolition of the frontage of the Lodge this month’s anniversary focuses.

What was found

On the 13th August 1907 the secretary and superintendent of the Cemetery, Michael Kelly, reported to the Board.

August 1907, minute book

As some of you may remember this brass plate, document and coins were mentioned last month in the third and final part of the Creation of Hull General Cemetery. The Creation of Hull General Cemetery: Part Three Sixty years later they turned up again.

Qualms?

It is interesting to note that the Board felt that these reminders of the beginning of the Cemetery should be kept. Some residual afterglow from that heady day must still have been felt by these Directors the Directors who were busily selling of Company land and demolishing Company property. I wonder if they felt any qualms about what they were doing?

The documents have come down to us safely. they are in the History centre. The brass plate? Well, I’ve never seen any sign of it.

Hopefully a brighter anniversary next month.

The Irving Family

by Dave Morecambein Events, General, History, Volunteers

The Irving Family

The Irving family was prominent in Hull throughout much of the 19th century. The family is closely linked to the creation of the Hull General Cemetery Company in 1847. For the next thirty years it was also heavily involved with the management of the cemetery.

William and Maria Irving were my 3x great grandparents.

William Irving senior was born in Kirby Wiske near Thirsk in 1769. He moved to Hull in the 1790s where he became a flax dresser and later a flax merchant.

In 1796, William married Mary Morrell at All Saints, Sculcoates and they went on to have 14 children. Sadly, six of these children died young.

Both William and Mary are buried in Hull General Cemetery in a fine family vault, close to the original entrance of the cemetery on the Spring Bank West/Princes Avenue junction.

 

William Irving junior

William and Mary’s eldest surviving son was William Irving junior, born in 1807.  He worked with his father and later took over the family business.

William Irving junior

William Irving 1807-1883  

The younger William Irving married Maria Wilkinson at Holy Trinity church in 1835.

Maria Irving

Maria Irving (nee Wilkinson) 1808-1874

However, like many Hull families of the time, the Irving’s became non-conformists. They joined the Fish Street Congregational Chapel.

Fish Street Chapel

The Cemetery and the Irving family

In the early 1840s, the burial of the dead in towns and cities was becoming an issue around the country. Hull was no exception.

It was William Irving junior who in 1845 chaired the first meeting of those interested in creating a new cemetery in Hull. One of the others on that early committee was his brother-in-law, George Cammell.

When the Hull General Cemetery Company was formed, William Irving was one of the founder directors. He became chairman in 1859.This was a post that he was to hold for over 15 years until ill health forced him to retire from public life.

William’s son-in-law, Edwin Foster was also a director of the company towards the end of his time as chairman. William Irving died in May 1883 and was buried in the Irving vault.

The first interment

William and Maria Irving’s only son, another William, had died in 1845. He was aged 2 years and 8 months and was buried in the Fish Street chapel.

As the Hull General Cemetery was about to open in April 1847, the younger William Irving arranged for his son’s body to be exhumed and reburied in the new Irving vault in the cemetery.

Burial entry for William Irving's son

Although the re-burial took place the day before the first entry in the cemetery’s burial register, entry no 2 for William Irving’s son states that his was “The first interment in this cemetery.” The Creation of Hull General Cemetery: Part Three

The last of the family in Hull

Two of William Irving’s siblings are also buried in the Irving vault.

His younger brother John worked in the family business for a time. However, he ended his days in the Sussex House Lunatic Asylum in Fulham in 1865.

William’s youngest surviving sister Rebecca lived on Anlaby Road until her death in 1907 aged 91. Rebecca was the last Irving to live in Hull. With her death the family connection with Hull, lasting of over a century, ended.