St. Just in Penwith

See the first page for an introduction and description.

1899

Jan 2nd 7 PM John Ellis called to arrange for the burial of his child John Thomas Ellis age 3 months. The family wish the infant to be buried in the grave with James Hall No 40, A Section, 2nd Row, who was buried Aug 5 1895. I told Ellis to call down tomorrow morning when I would look through the books, and see if such could be done.

Jan 3th Ellis called down at 9-45am by which time I had looked through the books and the Laws relating to Burials and found that what the friends of the child wishes could be done and told him so.

Jan 4th the infant John Thomas Ellis was buried in the same grave as its Uncle James Hall. Mr Mugford officiated.

February 20th 2pm. Received notice that Row Eddy parish undertaker had brought the body of the young man found on Tregiffian Cliffs with his throat cut, to the Death House in the Lower Churchyard and wished to see me regarding the security of the door which was without a lock. I at once went up and took Mr Joseph Rowe, carpenter with me when a padlock was procured and the place made secure until either the burial of the body takes place, or friends come to remove it, there is no identification as yet.

Feb 21st 10-45am A constable came down from the Sergeant to say that a Mr Knapp from London had come down to view the body of the young man and would I send up the key of the Deadhouse. I gave the key to the Constable, and at once followed him to town. I told him to acquaint the vicar of the fact of the arrival of Mr Knapp in case he should like to be present. 11-5 I reached the Churchyard and finding Vicar was not at home I ordered the place to be opened and the coffin as well. Mr Knapps friend on seeing the body said he did not think it was the Rev Knapp but went away and fetched the brother (or who was supposed to be such) who on carefully examining the remains decided that the body was in no way related to him. The hands puzzled him, the finger nails were all bitten down to the quick, shewed a nervous man, and the hands were not those of a Clergyman, more like those of a shopman. These people left, the coffin was again nailed down, and I left the key of the Deadhouse with the Constable for the Sergeant to hold in case of the advent of Miss Buckingham from Shepherds Bush London who maybe here tonight, or tomorrow.

Feb 22nd On the way to town about 10 o’clock met a constable who had been sent by the Inspector to say that Miss Buckingham was here, had recognised the body as her brother and that he would be buried tonight if possible. Sent the constable to Joe Trevorrow with instructions to commence a grave at once, and I would come to him from town, to which I preceded and was Miss Buckingham, thence to the Vicarage to see what arrangement the Vicar would make—he came up with me to Miss Buckingham, It was then arranged that after the body had been laid out by Mrs May, Miss Buckingham should take a final look at her brother, the Coffin should then be screwed down and she should return to Penzance with her friends—the undertaker was to obtain men to remove the body from the Deadhouse at 7-30 tomorrow morning and be at the gates of the Churchyard by 8o’clock where Miss Buckingham and her friends would meet it and conclude the sad business. If Mr Hooper cannot be present Mr Mugford will be there. The friends then leave to go back by the 10-40 to London.

Feb 23rd was at the Churchyard at 7-30 the body reached the Churchyard at 7-45 Mr Mugford at 7-50 whilst Miss Buckingham Mr Humphries and the inspector of Police in a cart from Penzance as the clock struck 8 and the funeral was got thro’ soon afterwards. About 150 women present and about 30 men who for a wonder were fairly orderly. William Merrifield Church Clerk came to repeat the responses in a state of dirt and general disreputableness in the matter of clothes, generally in a state of dry paste from his bill sticking business, boots not laced in front, a disgrace to his position, so I told him to take a back seat which he did.

Feb 24th 9-40am Mr Mason of Bolanken called to say that his sister Clarinda Mason aged 62 was dead and that he would require their family Vault which is at the Northeasterly side of the church to be opened to receive the remains. On enquiry from him I found that the Vault is in much the same position as his brothers was only a single one on which walls could be further raised. I explained out position (Vicar, Churchwardens and Sexton) in the matter seeing what the Queens order in Council of May 17th 1890 was, he told me the arrangement he had entered into with the Rev J.A. Reeve (who was at the time vicar) when he purchased the grave, I then told him my instructions from the Home Office at the same time reading the letter of the sanction of the Home Office, but at the same time I do not wish him to accept my reading of the Law, so for his satisfaction he had better see the Vicar and I should be governed by what ever he decided upon. Mr Mason then left to go to the Vicar. 10-45 Mr Mason came to me at Joe Semmens to say that the Vicar saw no reason why the business should not be carried out as he wished, so on that I proposed that he meet me at the Churchyard tomorrow morning at 10o’clock with his masons to remove the super stones, and by noon or thereabouts the place would be clear and ready for his materials which are to be brought from Penzance, he then left saying that if he was not present the masons could go on with the work. The funeral for Monday next at 3 o’clock. The vicar taking the responsibility exonerates Church wardens and Sexton or so I read the matter.

Feb 25th was in the Churchyard exactly at 10o’clock as arranged yesterday. Marks had removed the superstones and Joe was removing the soil, on this being done we found the vault was built up to within 2 feet of the surface with space for 2 more coffins, arranged with Marks to have the coffin at the bottom of the Vault separately entombed and at 12-30pm I left for home. Mr William Mason was evidently ignorant of the state of the vault and how it was built.

Feb 27th The funeral of Clarina Mason aged 62 took place at 4pm half and hour late. Mr H officiated. the body was entombed, state cover was pointed in cement and the cover of the vault set in lime mortar before I left the Churchyard.

March 6th 8-15pm William Lutey called to order a grave for his child Annabella Lutey aged 12 months. Funeral for Wednesday 8th at 4-30pm.

March 8th Time of funeral altered to 2-30pm but did not turn up until 3-10pm Mr H officiated Mrs H with 8 girls dressed in white as bearers each with a bunch of white flowers, at conclusion of the service the girls sung a hymn very feebly—a very senseless display considering it was a bitterly cold day and rain.

March 27th 5-30pm Saw Mr Isaac Nankervis who stated that he wanted the grave of Honour Woolcock who was buried in a brick tomb on the 5th April 1893) opened up for the purpose of burying Thomas Woolcock aged 84 her husband. See Folio 8 No 15 A Section 2nd Row.

March 29th 5-35 Funeral reached the Churchyard and Thomas Woolcock was buried in the Vault with his wife and the Vault was sealed down with cement as usual—this grave is now entirely closed but there is still room to build for another body on the top if necessary, there being quite three feet of space between the slate cover and the level of the surface.

April 11 Richard Nicholes came to see me at 11-45pm to arrange for a grave for his child William Thomas Nicholes age 1 year 7 months. Funeral for Thursday at 5 o’clock at the Church.

April 13th 5-40pm William Thomas Nicholes was buried as arranged in No 34. 2nd Row. C Section Childrens. Mr M officiated.

May 15th whilst I was away at Penzance William Merrifield parish Clerk called at about 9o’clock to arrange for a grave for his mother who died Sunday morning, her wish was to be buried near Mrs Thomas, so it was agreed to sink the grave next to Mrs Gonninian grave to be 8 or 9 ft deep for two bodies. Joe Trevorrow left for the churchyard to commence the grave (10-30) Choice of grave space entails an extra 5/– fees.

May 16th 7pm William Merryfield called down to tell me about this grave, he wants it sunk deep enough for 3 bodies, and to enable this to be prepared he will put Tom Matthews to work tomorrow with Joe Trevorrow to try and get the grave down to 11 feet—he will pay Matthews outside the usual fees for deep graves. I hardly think it can be done as the bottom of the grave is solid rock, and will take steady punching to remove the stone.

May 17th 5pm Margaret Pike aged 85 was buried in No 44 Section B. 11th row—this grave was sunk to 9ft. the latter part solid rock.

May 18th 7pm Mr Harry Williams came down and paid me £1.16.6. Churchyard fees for Headstone, Kerb and purchase of the Grave No.20 3rd row. A Section in which the remains of his late father William Davey Williams were buried Feb 9th 1898. I gave him a receipt for the money and parchment giving him the sole right in that piece of land. He was to take it to the Vicar and Churchwardens for their signatures. He requested that Joe Trevorrow should be in the Churchyard tomorrow morning to meet and assist Mr Pascoe the monumental mason in erecting and fixing the stone, kerb etc. which I told him would be done, they would be responsible for the mans days pay.

June 1st 9-15am Rowe Eddy, parish undertaker called to order a grave for the infant Edwin Trembath Thomas aged 10 months. Funeral tomorrow 5-15pm at the Church.

June 2nd Edwin Trembath Thomas was buried as agreed at 5-30pm Four small boy bearers and the parish undertaker constituted the funeral. child buried in No 35 grave, C section, 1st row Northside.

June 26th Mr James came at 7-30pm to order a grave for his mother Mary Elizabeth James. age 51. the funeral on Thursday 29th. at 4o’clock. Grave 24 A Section 3rd row.

June 29th 4-50 Mrs James was buried as above large funeral orderly, Mr Mugford officiated.

July 7th 11am Mr William Harvey of Keleynack called to arrange for a grave for Henry Dungey age 33 funeral for Monday 5 o’clock at the church.

July 10th Henry Dungey was buried in No 25 grave A Section 3rd row at 5-30pm. Mr Mugford officiated after which Methodist Choir sang a hymn, the family remained until the grave was almost filled up.

July 11th 8-15 Mr Joseph Rowe called to order a grave for James Richards aged 75 a Pensioner on some Blind Institution. Funeral for 12th at 4pm. No 26 grave A section 3rd row.

July 12th 4-30pm James Richards was buried as arranged. Mr Mugford officiated. Bier used.

Oct 4th 10-15am Mr Peter Thomas of Bosavern called to arrange for the burial of Amelia Badcock age 67. Grave no 27. 3rd Row. Northside. Funeral 4pm 7th Oct.

Oct 7th 4-15pm Amelia Badcock was buried as desired. Mr M. officiated.

Oct 21st Mr Williams of Kenidjack met me at 11-30am near Miss Halls, and requested that a grave be prepared for his child Beatrice Williams aged 4 yrs. Funeral for Monday 23rd 5pm.

Oct 23rd 5-15pm Beatrice Williams was buried. In No 36 grave, C Section. 1st row childrens. Mr M. officiated. Only Father and Mother attended. Child unbaptised, short service. Bah!

Nov 1st. 10-50am at Penzance Mr Peter Olds. spoke to me about opening his Vault in the churchyard to bury his Grandson Harry Anderson age 3 years. Promised to have vault uncovered and meeting him at about 10-30am tomorrow. Funeral for Friday 4 o’clock in Church.

Nov 3rd 4-20pm Harry Anderson was buried in No 1 Vault 1st Row A section Vicar officiated. A deluge of rain with a gale of wind, quiet funeral, everyone soaking wet. This vault will now take one more as the sides have been raised 21" thereby reaching within 3" of ground level.

Dec 12th. 6-35pm Samuel George called to arrange for a grave for his child James George age 5 months funeral for Saturday next 16th 4-15pm at church.

Dec 16th 10-30am Mr John Andrews called to arrange for a grave for Matthew Rowe Penrose age 46. The friends at his request wish for 2 graves to be purchased and kept in perpetuity for his immediate family(wife and Children) Mr Andrews selected No 1 and 2, A Section 4th Row. Southside. the grave to be sunk to 8ft.

Dec 20th 3-50pm M.R, Penrose was buried in the grave as arranged, the ground very hard, the bottom is cut through 2ft of solid stone, took 2 men 2 days to cut through and blast out the stuff. A large orderly funeral Mr. M. officiated.

Dec 24th 8-35pm. William Merrifield came to me with a cock and bull story about a pauper funeral from the Union, funeral for Tuesday 3pm. did not know whether it was for Adult of Child, no official order from the Master of the Union as far as he knew. Merrifield sent to me by Hooper who it seems is about as wise in the matter as Merrifield is, shall wire to the Master of the Workhouse for particulars, or no grave will be ready. Wire sent 25/12/1899. Master Workhouse Madron, Hea-Moore, send official form for grave otherwise no grave for Tuesday, no information whether adult of child—Millett. Sexton St Just. 11-00am received reply “Millett Sexton St Just—Grave for Adult Jane White Tuesday—letter follows. Francis” Sent to the Gravedigger who commenced at once on No 28, A Section 3rd row.

Dec 26th 2-50pm Jane White age 73 was buried as a Pauper in the grave specified. The workhouse Master drove the hearse and felt aggrieved at my requiring the proper form before commencing the grave—had 23 Parishes in his purview and in none was the burial form required except this. I told him it was required in the Churchyard and would be as long as I had anything to do with it.

Up to the end of this year the number buried in this Churchyard stands at Adults 122.......Children 105.

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