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St James' Cemetery. Liverpool |
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The cemetery today is very much different from the days of the 19th century. Since the last burial in the 1930's the cemetery has suffered at the hands of vandals and neglect, to such a stage that at one point it was suggested that it be filled in!
However wandering around you can still taste the splendor of this wonderful place.
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Click Here to see a selection of receipts for burials in St. James's Cemetery.
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This is the grave of Captain Elisha Lindsay Halsey of South Carolina, USA, who, aboard the ship Thomas Bennett, came to an untimely death in the Bay of Biscay in 1844 Apparently he was stabbed to death by the ships cook, a John Kent of Liverpool, who convinced the jury on his return to port that he acted in 'self defence.'
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The final resting place of Catherine "Kitty" Wilkinson. Born in 1786 in Londonderry, and having her younger sister drowned during the sea journey to Liverpool, Kitty led a life of poverty. Even so, during the great cholera epidemic of 1832, she opened the doors of her small house in Denison Street and took in washing (She had the only boiler) to ensure that at least the clothes were clean. Thus was born the 'Washhouse' and due to her devotion to the poor the following is inscribed on her gravestone: |
'indefatigable and self-denying, she was the widow's friend, the support of the orphan, the fearless and unwearied nurse of the sick, the instigator of Baths and Washhouses for the poor'
| The spring in the East wall. First noted in 1773 when the Liverpool surgeon James Worthington recommended it's use for 'Rickets, weak eyes, crudities of the stomach and lowness of spirits.' The spring used to flow into a circular bowl, known as 'The pool of Siloam.' An iron ladle was chained to the surrounding low railings so that people from far and near could take advantage of the 'Liverpool Spa' |
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Recently, the spring has fallen into disrepair, although the inscription above is still readable:
Christian reader view in me,
An emblem of true charity,
Who freely what I have bestow,
Though neither heard nor seen to flow,
And I have full returns from Heaven,
For every cup of water given.
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The Ellan Vannin. On the 3rd December 1909 this steamer left Ramsay, Isle of Man, bound for Liverpool. During a violent storm a flash of light was seen to come from the stricken ship. Later upon examination of the wreck, a 14 foot hole was found on the port side of the vessel, no explanation for this has ever been found. 35 souls perished that night. |
Click Here for a fictional ghostly walk through the cemetery - 1873
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In our comfortable 21st century lives, it must be difficult to imagine the hardship of the mid 19th century. So many unfortunate people did not live to see adulthood. In this picture we can see that Margaret, Thomas, Savinah and Alice Ellis did not even see their first birthday.
This family grave is common in the cemetery, some even have continuations on the back of the gravestone.
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The connection between Liverpool and the sea can be illustrated in this grave. David, James and Thomas Keay, all lost while away at sea. It would seem that this was a family of seafarers, their father, Captain Alexander Keay, died ten years after his sons, and joined them in their grave. |
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You could almost imagine the awesome Anglican Cathedral has it's arms out protecting the cemetery from the ravages of the 21st century. |
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So many children were buried in unmarked graves. Their parents or guardians could ill afford the cost of gravestones. Some parents left simple tributes to their children, while others elected to leave something more permanent. Exactly who 'Little Grace' was is unknown, but the carving remains, etched into the East wall, near to the spring.
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