And in my continuing series of posts from the Norwich Mercury of 200 years ago this week, there was an announcement about the extension of Rosary Cemetery. The cemetery was the first non-denominational one to have opened in the UK, with the first burial taking place in 1821.
The shareholders had met at the Old Library Room at St. Andrew’s (now demolished) and they were pleased at the progress made in the first few years of the cemetery’s operation. The first few years hadn’t really stressed the gravediggers (although it made it easier to guard against body-snatchers), as there was one burial in 1821, two burials in 1822 and three burials in 1824 (goodness knows what happened in 1823).
The decision made 200 years ago was very sensible as although their priority was actually keeping the church out of their affairs, there was to be a cholera epidemic in 1831 and the land at Rosary Cemetery was a useful overflow to church graveyards. And, in 1855, after a major national cholera epidemic, all new burials in churchyards were banned. The original five acres were filled by the end of the nineteenth century, so the additional land they had already acquired proved to be very useful.
“ROSARY BURIAL GROUND,
NEAR THE FOUNDRY BRIDGE ROAD.
At a MEETING of the Shareholders, held at the Old Library Room, St. Andrew’s, Norwich, on the 22nd of September, 1825:
MR. THOMAS MARTINEAU in the Chair,
Statements of the number of Interments since the appropriation of the Ground as a Public Burial Ground, and of the number of Shares engaged by individuals, having been read by the Registrar,
IT WAS RESOLVED,
That the Rosary, from its situation and the extent of ground belonging to it, is admitted to be well calculated for a permanent Cemetery, for persons of all denominations, and will be found of great benefit and utility.
That from the number of Interments which have already taken place, and the number of Shares engaged, it is expedient the proper measures should be adopted for permanently establishing and securing the whole of the ground originally proposed for a Cemetery, without further delay.
That the Solicitors be instructed to prepare forthwith the requisite deed or deeds, to be enrolled in Chancery, for vesting the Rosary Burial Ground in Trustees, to be held as a Public Place of Interment for ever, subject to the management of Directors, to be chosen from among the Shareholders.
That notice be given, that applications for Shares remaining undisposed of must be made on or before the 27th day of October instant, on which day the list shall be closed.
That applications for Shares be made to the undermentioned Shareholders: to Mr. Drummond, at the Rosary; or to the Solicitors, Messrs. Parkinson and Staff, St. Andrew’s, Norwich, of whom prospectuses of the plan may be obtained gratis.
Mr. Thomas Martineau
John Taylor
Joseph Geldart
Wm. Davey
Thomas Hitchen
John Athow
Robert Blake, jun.
Wm. Wilde
J. Darken
R. Miller
Samuel Wiseman
J. Mottram, sen.
E. Cotman
J. H. Balls
G. Sothern
Wm. Newson
Thomas Hawkins
Henry Bolingbroke
George Kitton
Mr. Isaac Wiseman
J. Mottram, jun.
Wm. Busley
Manning
E. Martin
Hewett
Rev. F. Tagart
Mr. Wm Chapman
W. Stark
G. Grout
C. Geldart
Wigham
E. Brown
Carter
Bluth
R. Morgan
Joseph Geldart, jun.
N. Rue”
