The content on this page has been created by Liz Dicker of the Cherishing Sidmouth Cemeteries group, from the Sidmouth Museum archives. We are very grateful to her being allowed to use it and acknowlege her copyright for an original piece of work.
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SIDMOUTH CEMETERY 1875 TO 1879
Compiled from articles in the monthly Lethaby’s Sidmouth Journal which closed in 1881 and was replaced by the Sidmouth Herald. The text, an unconventional combination of first person and abridged newspaper accounts, reduces the mass of material from the elegant wordiness of Victorian times to a more practical length for today’s time-poor reader.
This study is divided into 2 sections: 1. 1875 Dr Pullin’s sensational report and the Home Office’s involvement and 2. The drive to create a new cemetery for all persuasions.
At this time Sidmouth district’s administration was carried out by the Local Board and church affairs carried out by the Vestry Board. The Local Government Board was the Whitehall-based department with an overview. Accounts of their monthly deliberations were printed in the Sidmouth Journal. They were to be joined by the Burial Board in 1877.
SECTION 1
The need for a Burial Board was the result of a report in 1875 by Doctor Pullin, Sidmouth Medical Officer of Health and a member of the Local Board, regarding the state of health of the population of the parish. This contentious report, at a time when there was an increasing national demand for a non-denominational burial place for those people not of the Anglican persuasion, would bring about the closure of the parish church’s graveyard. Up to this time a tight grip was maintained by parish churches on burials and the income they provided, opposing any attempts to threaten their monopoly. The report was published by the Journal in April 1875.
APRIL 1875. The report was published in two parts a month apart due to lack of space for the whole. The heading informed readers that ‘the newspaper feels inclined to disagree with some of the statements.’ The heavily abridged report follows:
In accordance with the request of the Local Board ‘that the Medical Officer of Health to this Board should make as practical and complete a report on the state and requirements of the district.’
Population 3370 being males 1415, females1955, area 1600 acres.
Births during 1874: males 49 females 43, 28 per thousand of the population.
Deaths males 32, females 24, 16 per thousand of the population. The death rate places Sidmouth in the Registrar General’s first rank of healthfulness.
Only 3 deaths were attributed to zymotic or epidemic disease being fever 2 and diarrhoea 1.
More than one third of child deaths occurred in under 4 year olds. 5 due to atrophy from birth, 5 to convulsions, 4 to liver disease and 7 to lung disease.
Of adult deaths 24 were due to old age.
WATER sourced from the north end of Peak Hill and the southern half of Muttersmoor is abundant and excellent. Wells in the south of the town are brackish and unfit for domestic use, the area being only 6 or 8 feet above high tide mark. They use a supply through iron pipes of Muttersmoor water by the local water company.
Doctor Pullin analysed 60 specimens of water from different parts of the town; the majority of which were satisfactory. Where not satisfactory the causes were from preventable causes, among them bad house drains and neglected drainage from stables, dairy yards and pig stys.
In 1866 Dr Pullin told the Local Board of certain districts in the parish demanding immediate attention:
In Eastern Town, population 400, 313 of the inhabitants are not supplied with water on their premises and rely on a single well provided by the Manor and remote from most of them. This water is generally good but occasionally is rendered unwholesome after heavy gales and sewage percolation.
In Western Town, population 200, 100 rely on three pumps that are similarly afflicted during severe weather.
In the hamlets of Woolbrook and Stowford 125 inhabitants rely on a stream beside the road which drains an extensive area of pasture serving 4 or 5 farms and is seldom without animals grazing.
At this point Dr. Pullin felt it important to share the reason he believed to exist being ‘an insidious and unsuspected enemy in our midst, viz, our burial ground’.
In 1866 an epidemic of diarrhoea was found to be caused by the carcase of a donkey in the highest state of putrefaction lying in one of the headwaters and within the last few weeks the water has been again poisoned by drainage from a dung heap containing the entire carcase of a slaughtered donkey.
‘I venture to suggest that 2 or 3 wells to be dug at Woolbrook and Stowford and five public fountains or taps of Cotmaton water to be placed at Eastern and Western Towns and the Market Square at a cost of £130.
Our water course is WNW to SSE. The samples I have tested from locations south and east of the graveyard bear a marked and unsatisfactory comparison with those of the west and north of it and demands the attention of the Local Board.’
MAY 1875. Part 2 of Dr, Pullin’s report. The publishers comment precedes it thus:
‘We have been much blamed for affording publicity to its statements, some comments on which can be found in another column’.
DRAINAGE. The Woolbrook could be diverted to flush through the Eastern drain. The Glen stream already flushes the Western Main. The drain for the Eastern Main is inefficient and badly constructed so that the cess pits of properties constructed in the area drains into land close to the new wells.
Sewage drainage into the Eastern part of the sea is considered to disperse well enough to be no health influence but drainage from the Glen however leaves a deposit which, under the influence of the summer sun becomes objectionable and the subject of complaint. The drains are 50 to 100 years old.
There is a difference of opinion as to the influence of sewer gas on producing typhoid and diphtheria and other zygomatic diseases. I have no doubt that an entire neighbourhood can be put in danger.
An outbreak of malignant typhoid arose solely from sewer gas infiltration into a bedroom where three slept. Traps in pipework will prevent back movement of gases.
COTTAGES. Cottages occupied by the poor are poorly constructed with hardly a window for ventilation. I am acquainted with a block of ten houses in which I am not aware of a single healthy family for want of ventilation.
CLOSETS. The Board should insist of every cottage being provided with a closet and none indoors. A survey should be ordered of all cottages unprovided and opportunity for flushing.
PIGS. The danger is in two ways: 1. through the unwholesome food and foul air the meat is liable to become unfit for human food due to trichinosis, so fatal in Germany lately and 2. through the absence of cleanliness and proper drainage wells are liable to become polluted. A bye law should provide that no pigs be kept within half a mile of the Town Hall.
VACCINATION. There exists a self-supporting club to which at various times, over 30 – 40 years, 800 adults and children belong. As public vaccinator I am aware that people join it in order to avoid my intentions of vaccinating them. This is impeding the vaccination of smallpox.
MAY 1875. In a substantial editorial Dr Pullin is accused of ‘attempting to damage the character of the town as much as possible and create unnecessary alarm.’ His adverse findings are denied assisted by quotations from an eminent surgeon ‘as if he had Dr Pullin’s report before him’: and by other medical officers in their own reports.
MAY 1875. ‘Precipitated by Dr Pullin’s sensational reference to the subject in his recent report and although his primary objection to the present ground was conclusively proved to be erroneous, yet the fact that vacant space in the churchyard is but limited has brought about enquiries and orders that will force the parish to incur turmoil and expense a few years earlier than would than would have been necessary.’ The expense being the purchase of additional land to extend the churchyard estimated to be between £2-3,000.
One enquiry came from P H Holland of the Burial Acts Office of the Home Office to whom a copy of the Journal containing the report had been sent informing the Vicar of imminent instructions for an inspection visit.
The result was that an order to close the graveyard at the end of 1878 was issued when the remaining space at anticipated burial rates would be full. This would give a period of three and a half years of preparation for other land.
Dr Pullin wrote to the Home Office objecting to the length of the continuance of burials in the churchyard but received a reply denying any shortening of the Order.
JUNE 1875. Titled ‘Dr Pullin’s Indictment’ by the Sidmouth Journal.
‘We did not think, judging by the manuscript that it was so lengthy, or we might have denied it altogether; nor can we wonder that the Board showed signs of impatience while it was read.’ ‘His facts as to the health, mortality, drainage are at variance with many of his theories and deductions.’
(NB But at around this time the Manor, of its own volition, was building new healthier homes for its workers and demolishing the old.)
July 1875. A letter from Whitehall dated 14th June was received confirming that no new burial ground be opened in the parish of Sidmouth without the approval of the Secretary of State. As regards the churchyard, no burials shall take place except
In family vaults in which each coffin shall be enclosed with stone or brickwork properly cemented; and except in family graves which can be opened to a depth of 5 feet without exposure of coffins; and, that in the meantime, no remains except fragments of old bones, be removed.
AUGUST 1875. The Burial Order. The parish churchyard is required by the Privy Council Office to affix posters to the doors of churches and chapels within the parish for one month before the 9th August. Sidmouth, one of 10 parishes in the country under such an Order, having an exception as to previous stated conditions being met.
This to be actioned after 3½ years have elapsed, the conclusion of this effective date. Peculiar to Sidmouth is that the authorities do not think that there is damage to the wells in the neighbourhood from effluent originating from the churchyard causing typhus, typhoid or cholera. Blame for this action cannot be denied to those who by agitation of the subject have pushed forward a decision which might reasonably have been left for the present.
SECTION 2 THE BURIAL BOARD
In 1877, at a meeting of the Vestry Board on 2nd of July, chaired by the Vicar H G C Clements, it was agreed that a Burial Board should be convened to take forward the creation of a cemetery on suitable land for the continued burial of deceased persons in Sidmouth. The government had already passed an act allowing cemeteries to be set up and a department was created to inspect and advise such action.
The new Burial Board would have Reverend Clements as chairman and 8 members to be Lord S Godolphin Osborne, Major Hicks, P O Hutchinson, Esq., T Kennet Wear, Esq., Mr Lethaby, Mr Pidsley (funeral director) with Dr Pullin as Medical Officer of Health and Mr Radford as clerk. Meetings would be held on the second Friday in the month at 3 o’clock in Mr Radford’s office. At the first meeting it was thought 3 to 4 acres of land would be needed and, after discussing the availability of suitable land it was left with Mr Radford to ascertain if the owners were willing to sell. Lethaby’s Sidmouth Journal would record the new Board’s deliberations.
JULY 13TH and JULY 27TH All members were present when discussions of eligible land were discussed but no action taken as the affair was only in the correspondence state.
AUGUST 1877 The only desirable land options were in Brewery Lane, by the railway station and land recently purchased from the Carslake property. Other options were rejected being too wet, near houses or a stream like the present Long Park, too far away or too small.
SEPTEMBER and suitability immediately evident. Mr Farrant’s land adjacent with its corn harvest carried away described as any ground more picturesque is not to be seen, with an easier slope and sheltered by Mr Robinson’s hill top. It was proposed that Mr Farrant’s be accepted
SEPTEMBER 1877 Mr Farrant attended the meeting and offered a ‘very liberal offer of ‘£150 an acre about the price he bought it for.’ A resolution was passed to accept it.
OCTOBER 1877 Mr Alfred Hayman attended with a plan for the ground measured by him and with details of the ground and the nature of the soil, below which was a fine sand, easily excavated and other details required by the government board in London.
NOVEMBER 1877 5th November. A government inspector came, inspected the site and pronounced it suitable, well pleased in every respect.
9th November. It was estimated that expenditure on the land, erection of a chapel and ground layout £2,500 would be sufficient. A treasurer joined the Board forthwith.
DECEMBER 1877 The meeting decided that 2 chapels were a necessity together with a lodge to be sited at the gate. The cost of chapels and the lodge to be no more than £1500.
JANUARY 1878 A Works Committee had the ground staked out and tenders were invited for the road and drains. The Finance committee received £500 from the poor’s rate and the requirement of a loan was advertised. Ten architects forwarded plans for the chapels and lodge, ‘some of them very elaborate and beautiful.’
FEBRUARY 1878 1st February. Sets of designs and costings are displayed and voted on by Board members. Those submitted by C F Edwards of Pinhoe and Exeter at an estimated cost of £1456 was selected by everyone. There will be no vestry but a tool house and mortuary instead.
15th February. 3 tenders for a 640ft approach road with drains were £155, £148 and one of £130 by Mr Maeer was accepted.
5 tenders for a dwarf boundary wall across the cemetery were £71, £63.7s.6d, £59, £52 10s and £48 by Mr G Ellis was accepted.
Arrangements were made to purchase galvanised wire fencing with standards to be attached to the wall and for iron fencing for the side of the approach road.
Loan offers received need further investigating.
MARCH 1878 A loan offer from the West of England Insurance Company of £2500 at 4½% payable by annual instalments over 30 years was accepted.
A plan must be submitted to the Secretary of State showing the proposed division of ground as to consecrated and non-consecrated ground.
Adverts were placed for tenders for erecting the buildings were placed, to be presented by 2nd April.
The Secretary of State wanted a separate area on the non-conformist side of the grounds for Roman Catholic interments.
APRIL 1878 Tender for the erection of buildings by Mr Commins, a builder of Exeter, for £1520 was accepted with all completed and the site cleared from the ground by 31st December.
The loan offer by The West of England Insurance Company was accepted with a £5 per week non-compliance penalty and interim payments made as building work progressed.
The tender for iron fencing on the approach road: Mr Lake’s was accepted at 2s 7d per yard.
The builder, Mr Commins, stated that the chapels would be completed by 14th November, the lodge by 1 February.
MAY 1878 Committee members prepared plans for the grounds all of which were declared as ‘each showing such beauty and completeness.’ Mr Kennet Weir’s was adopted as all parts were ‘easily accessible by paths while the general aspect would be graceful and attractive.’
JUNE 1878 The architect pursued the use of oak instead of red deal for the chapel doors. A costing was to be sourced.
A long discussion about the operation of the completed cemetery e.g. fees, grave spaces took place but without passing any formal resolution.
JULY 1878 There was a discussion over the cost of wood for the chapel doors and seats, oak being £79 and red deal £ 45. They settled for red deal.
The hedge on the southern side of the cemetery is owned by the Board and ‘is broad, old and weedful.’ There would be a gain of 3 – 4ft of land if a wall replaced it. Mr Sampson who owned the land adjacent agreed to allow the border to be straightened.
AUGUST 1878 Lord S G Osborne offered £5 towards the cost of coloured glass in the east window. Sketches were submitted by the Chair ‘for the entire centre light of window which his Lordship is prepared to give of the Resurrection with a single figure of an ascending Saviour.’ The size 7ft by 19inches with a cost of £30 which his Lordship accepted.
The Bishop visited the ground and thought some of the fences insufficient. Action was deferred for the time being.
AUGUST 1878 (cont) The Bishop suggested obtaining possession of fences on the west (The Knapp) and north (Winslade Road). The owner of the Knapp, the Reverend J Robinson, agrees to surrender fences under certain conditions and a valuation price. The Manor Trustees are legally unable to sell the north fences.
It was decided to submit to the Bishop the placing of an iron railing inside the hedge be deemed to be sufficient.
Funds have now been submitted by donors to fill the two other windows in the chapel’s east wall. ‘The design for these sidelights’ an adoring angel ‘was much admired.’
Major Hicks offered to supply shrubs and trees for the approach road.
SEPTEMBER 1878 Burial fees to be charged and a set of rules were obtained from various sources. Decision postponed.
OCTOBER 1878 It was decided impractical to buy the hedges on the west and north boundary; iron fencing to be placed if satisfactory to the Bishop. Bishop’s reply: would not provide sufficient protection from small animals. The clerk enquired
whether 2ft high netting to fence would be acceptable.
Arrangements have been made to sink a tank holding 20 hogsheads of water at the back of the northern chapel for the storage of water from the roofs.
Payments to the Lodge and cemetery keeper were discussed and an advert ‘under 40 years, good gardener, read and write with facility and keep accounts. £50 a year and living in the Lodge.’
NOVEMBER 1878 17 applications for keeper had been received accompanied by testimonials, half were from Sidmouth and Sidford. 2 or 3 were discounted as too old, others with no gardening knowledge leaving half a dozen very eligible men.
Mr George Miller was employed by Mr Balfour at the Manor House for 7 years the last 3 as Head Gardener. When the owner moved to the lower Lodge the Manor staff were all dismissed. He was interviewed and appointed.
DECEMBER 1878 13th A petition for the consecration of the chapel and grounds which was to be presented to the Bishop on the day of consecration was sent to the Board by the Bishop’s Secretary. The petition, a formal and lengthy document engrossed on parchment, has a coloured plan of the cemetery ground and chapel.
After receiving permission from The Vestry Board and from the Government for the requisite powers, and to the West of England Insurance Company, for the advance of money, it was decided to borrow another £500. It was decided to insure the Lodge for £300.
13th cont. A final revision of the regulations for the cemetery occupied much time being discussed rule by rule.
Monday 16th December 1878 12pm The Consecration.
‘A cold spell of weather made the day most trying and slippery dangerous for street and road locomotion.’ The sun came out and shone through the coloured stained glass of the chapel windows.
The Bishop with Archdeacon Sanders and the Bishop’s secretary arrived from Exeter by rail at 11.39 and was taken to the Vicarage to be robed. In attendance also were Reverends Robinson and McArthur. The Vicar and Reverend Beebe conducted the ordinary service of the day.
The choir in surplices led with ‘Brief life here is our portion’ accompanied by a harmonium. After the second lesson the Bishop with choir singing Psalm 59 processed to a tent at the centre of the ground where the remaining order of consecration was transacted.
Mr Radford presented the petition for consecration to the Bishop. The petition was read out by the Archdeacon then the Instrument of Consecration was signed by the Bishop. After prayers and the singing of ‘Oh God our help in ages past the ceremony ended.
The Bishop’s entourage, members of the Board together with Reverends Beebe and Robinson and Mr Radford lunched at the vicarage.
27th December Matters as to the layout of the ground and fees for grave digging were decided.
Through a misconception of the duties which would be required of him, Mr Miller, the recently appointed Keeper tendered his resignation. This was accepted subject to one month’s notice. A successor would be sought from remaining applications.
JANUARY 1879
9th January. Meetings from now on to be held quarterly. A map of the cemetery is completed, all grave spaces marked out and identified. On the consecrated side: 1162 for adults, 582 for children. Unconsecrated side: 587 for adults, 291 for children. Dr Pullin’s estimate of one third mortality of children was adopted.
10th January A table of fees sent to the Secretary of State has been authorised by him.
JANUARY cont
2 interviews for Keeper were held. Mr James Collins to commence on January 24th. For many years he was employed by W R Coleridge at Salston.
CEMETERY MEMORANDA AND THE FIRST FUNERALS
JANUARY 19 1879
WINDOWS. The centre window donated by Lord S G Osborne depicts Jesus rising from the dead with 2 flanking windows depicting winged angels with trumpets and startled awaking sleeper at their feet. These paid for by his friends.
(Lord Osborne was a cleric, philanthropist and writer who died in 1882. He was a well-known commentator of affairs of the day. He retired from his living in Cambridgeshire and it is assumed he settled in Sidmouth.)
The journal felt that ‘There is much dignity and beauty in the look and attitude of the Saviour but the angels appear too large and prominent, thereby dwarfing the importance of what they ought to magnify. The small window opposite the entrance door is much more beautiful’ in which the Saviour addresses Martha and Mary.
Sunday 19th January The First Occupants.
The first funerals ‘by a somewhat unusual coincidence appointed for the same hour in nearly adjoining graves.’
‘The deceased, long resident in Sidmouth with family and other associations; there was more interest excited among friends and neighbours representatives as might also be said to be of the two districts, Eastern Town and Western Town.’ Mrs Dean lived in the former, the wife of Mr H Dean, smith, and Mrs Salter connected with fisherfolk in the latter.
By the time appointed 2 or 3 hundred people were present in an ‘extremely cold and piercing wind.’ Several members of the Burial Board were present and the Reverend Beebe. The ground was divided into sections ABC etc. with an iron number post on each starting with number 1 in each section.
The first interments were in consecrated ground in E section with Mrs Dean in number 60 and Mrs Salter in 62, numbers chosen by their friends. The Vicar conducting the Service led Mrs Dean’s company into the Chapel then returning to meet Mrs Salter’s. The Chapel was filled for the service and a crowd necessarily shut out.
Following the service the 2 companies of bearers and friend proceeded to the graves where the interment service was performed.
‘The use of the word brethren for the conjoint reference to the deceased, adding to the solemnity. There is much of the solemn picturesqueness in the scene and its surroundings.’
FUNERALS. At a Burial Board meeting the steepness of the site and the distance from the town made it necessary to have a double set of bearers.
Messers Lake will supply a hearse with a pair of horses and driven from any part of the town for 10 shillings. Any trappings such as plumes, velvets would be an extra charge.
Alternatively Mr Butter of Radway has a hand hearse with one man to guide and assist for 5 shillings.
APRIL 1879 Mr Radford, Clerk, presented the balance sheet for the year signed by auditors.
The following abstract of the audited accounts which we have compiled from the balance sheet, will be of interest, as showing the cash transactions for the year which ended Lady-day last. Lady-day is March 25th.
RECEIPTS £ s d
Balance from last account……………………………………. 22 2 10
1st loan from West of England Insurance Co………………. 2500 0 0
2nd loan from ditto……………………………………………… 500 0 0
From the Overseers of the Parish……………………………. 150 0 0
Interest allowed by Bankers…………………………………… 15 19 2
Burial fees received……………………………………………. 4 18 0
_______________
£3193 0 0
________________
EXPENDITURE £ s d
Payment for land purchased……………………………….. 596 0 0
Interest due thereon…………………………………………. 7 0 0
Legal expenses on purchase of land, loans &c………….. 95 0 6
Formation of roads, paths and drains, and building
boundary wall……………………………………………… 378 19 0
Mr Commins-contract fir chapels and lodge……………… 1520 0 0
Labour on ground, ploughing, seed, plants &c………….. 37 1 0
Iron work on approach road and cemetery………………. 71 12 6
Office expenses, with advertising, rates &c……………… 16 6 5
Clerk’s salary and wages of cemetery keeper…………… 48 17 0
Tradesmen’s accounts, books, forms and sundries for
burial and cemetery purposes…………………………. 25 7 7
Grave indicators, carriage &c……………………………… 15 7 9
Fees paid as per arrangement:- the Vicar 1£. 2s. 6d.
Clerk 13s. 6d.; Sexton 1£. 25s. ……………………… 3 11 0
Balance in hand and in the bank…………………………. 378 17 3
_______________
3193 0 0
________________
I’m aware the figures don’t add up but that’s what the Journal printed.
Architect and builder were present to explain sundry charges in the accounts. 2 or 3 hours thus spent. A cheque for £348 19s 10p was drawn. Added to previous payments came to £1368 19s 10p received by Mr Commins. Those Board members who inspected the works considered it to be ‘very ornamental, substantial and, on the whole, economical.’
Total expenditure, to which has been added many additional requirements after the original estimate, considered against payment received from interments require the possibility of increasing the amount of the mortgage but in the meantime it has been better to overdraw on the bankers as arranged by them.
JULY 1879 Because of problems with the surface, there being not enough wheel traffic to work in the stone, it was decided to overlay the surface with gravel and then roll it after rain.
The architect was paid £103 9s which is 5% of the cost of buildings which was £1868 19s 10p with £10 expenses.
The first payment to the West of England Insurance Company was made of
£152 10s being interest and part of the principal 0f the first loan.
OCTOBER 1879 £10 is to be placed at the disposal of the Works Committee for the planting of trees.
The question arose of where the mortuary should be accommodated. Of the two likely rooms one was being used for the storage of tools, the other as a vestry. The tool storage building is inappropriate since storage would have to be found elsewhere. It was suggested that the chapel vestry be used, as necessary. The suggestion was not adopted formally.
In connection: what course would be adopted by authorities in the case of death by infectious disease or when a body has been kept too long? The answer: the Sanitary Inspector of the Local Board to effect removal if parties concerned do not act, and on the orders of a magistrate.
DECEMBER 1879 It was decided to make a new path around the sloping crest of the bank at the back of the chapel to provide access and to prevent flood water streaming over the face of the bank, loosening the soil.
The final entry in the Sidmouth Journal.
Liz Dicker
9th December 2024
With the assistance of the Sid Vale Association Museum Archive.