The Preston Guardian
Saturday April 2 1853
Public Cemetery
On Monday last, a preliminary meeting was held in the committee-room of the Mechanics' Institution, for the purpose of considering the propriety of forming a public cemetery for the town and neighbourhood of Burnley. The meeting was attended by a considerable portion of the most influential gentlemen of the town, as well as by the Rev. R. M. Master, incumbent of St. Peter's Church; the Rev. Hugh Stamer, incumbent of St James's Church; the Rev. Thomas Wilson, incumbent of Holy Trinity Church; and the Rev. Richard Nicholson, incumbent of St. Paul's Church. The three first-named clergymen having burial-grounds attached to their respective churches, would, of course, have to be more especially consulted, as their pecuniary interests might in some measure be concerned. There is no doubt that they will act in the most liberal manner, should their views be met in an equally liberal spirit. So much sectarian feeling, however, has prevailed in other towns when the project of a public cemetery has been mooted, that we are not very sanguine as to the results; although, on the present occasion, matters went on harmoniously enough. George Stansfield, Esp., occupied the chair, and, after some observations had been made by the chairman and others, about the eligibility of different plots of ground which it was supposed might be obtained upon reasonable terms, also whether the money should be raised by rates, or by public subscriptions, or by shares, &c., it was finally resolved that a provisional committee should be appointed to consider of these matters, previously to calling a public meeting. There can be no doubt that a crowded church or chapel yard engenders disease; and yet it is a fact, not less strange than true - for it can be proved by a reference to the parochial registers - that the oldest people in Burnley have almost invariably died at "the top of the town," that is in the vicinity of the Old Church, where they have resided all their lives. At the present moment, "old Henry Hargreaves," aged 96, lives in that locality.
_________________ Mel
Searching for lost relatives? Win the Lottery!
|