John Symons in the Cemetery

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.

Brown's Bookshop

Most people in Hull are familiar with, and have an affection for, Brown’s Bookshop in George St, few will be aware that the graves of the founders family are located in Hull General Cemetery, although unfortunately their headstones no longer remain.

Anthony Brown was born in 1829 in Holme on Spalding Moor, where he married Mary Ann Raney in 1850 and had one son, John, who was born on 1 December 1850, the family moved to Hull, but sadly Mary Ann died on 19 August 1853 aged 25. Anthony later married Sarah Ann Sharp on 20 May 1858, and they had a daughter and a further 4 sons (3 of whom died whilst young). In 1860 Anthony established a booksellers and publishing business in Prospect St.

The eldest son, John, trained as a publisher in London, joining his father’s business in 1870, the same year that the Education Act (Forster Act) was introduced to provide free, compulsory and non-religious education for all children. Anthony immediately saw the opportunities, and rapidly expanded his business, opening a school outfitters. John became a partner in 1872 when the company became A Brown & Son. When the company opened larger premises at 26/27 Saville St in 1877, John’s brother, Walter, also joined the company, becoming A Brown & Son(s).

Anthony died of bronchitis at his home at 74 Peel St on 2 January 1880 aged 51, and was buried in Hull General Cemetery. His wife Sarah Ann died in Newcastle on 11 May 1919 aged 82, and is also buried in HGC.

After his death, the business continued to expand under the stewardship of John and his brothers, and in 1895 they expanded into 28 & 29 Savile St, and also opened printing works in West St. (Brown Brothers). John became the company’s first chairman in 1905, when they opened new printing works at 15 Dock St backing onto the rear of their George St premises.

John had married Annie Elizabeth Strapps on 16 March 1876, initially living at 38 Peel St, before moving to Hazeldene at 34 Pearson Park, where they had a daughter Lilian.

John became active in local politics, becoming a JP, Alderman, Sheriff and eventually Mayor of Hull in 1912/1913. The same year, the company created a new School Stationery manufacturing department at 19-21 Dock St, and in 1929 opened purpose built printing works and warehouse in Perth St West.

John died at his home in Hazeldene of a cerebral thrombosis on 19 January 1920, and was buried in the Strapps family grave in Hull General Cemetery. His wife Annie (incorrectly recorded as Amy), died of cancer on 18 August 1925, her cremated remains were buried in HGC. After Annie’s death, the house was left derelict for a number of years until it was purchased by local builder and entrepreneur, Robert Tarran in 1937.

Mr Tarran renovated the house at his own expense to accommodate a number Basque refugee children who had been evacuated from northern Spain after the the German attacks on Guernica during the Spanish Civil War.. The children remained in the house until after the war, when they were repatriated, although some remained in Hull. The house received a blue plaque in 2017 to commemorate its role in housing the Spanish children.

Arthur

These two graves are situated to the left of the main gate behind the recently discovered Sydney Winter grave. Perhaps these were not recorded either?

The one on the left: ~ In Loving Memory of Arthur the beloved husband of Irene Allen Died Dec 18th 1956 aged 46 years – Ever in Thought.

Arthur lived at 314 North Road but died at Sutton Annexe.

The one on the right: ~ In Loving Memory of George Walker beloved husband of Annie Died Nov 19th 1949 aged 57 years ~ Ever in Thought

Also Annie beloved wife of the late George Walker Died June 21st 1964 aged 68 years ~ Reunited

George lived at 216 Pickering Road.