The elaborate Gothic style memorial in this view of York cemetery is dedicated to Alderman Jonathan Grey. He was a lawyer who served on the Board of Health during the cholera epidemic of 1832. One of the main problems the board faced was finding burial grounds where the cholera victims could be buried sufficiently deeply to ensure they did not present a risk to the health of the living. The overflowing mediaeval parish church graveyards meant that few graves could be sunk deeper than three or four feet, and it was not unusual to see human bones lying around the city. Alderman Grey was instrumental in establishing the York Public Cemetery Company around 1836, and ensuring the city had somewhere to bury it's dead for many years to come.
It is ironic that although he lived in York Jonathan Grey died (and was buried) in Hastings. I suppose the logistics of transporting a body 270 miles were considerable in those days. He is commemorated by this stone eddifice that was subsequently used as a burial vault for members of his family.
Taking part in Tapophile Tragics.
It looks very stately!
ReplyDeleteGreat photo with good composition and colour.
ReplyDeleteIt is very curious how he ended up in Hastings... maybe he knew too much about this cemetery?!
ReplyDeleteImpressive memorial. I like these overrun old cemeteries.
ReplyDeleteThe crowning jewel of the cemetery!
ReplyDeleteAs much as I romanticize the past, there is a definite benefit to being alive today.
ReplyDeleteI grinned at Sanna's comment: the world has come a long way in the last 175 years, I agree. We have replaced the plaque and cholera with AIDS and Bird 'flu.
ReplyDeleteThe thought of human bones found scattered around the city is quite appaling.But at least some people had the vision to plan for the future. I, too, adore this over-run rambling cemeteries. Well, actually, I have yet to find a cemetery that I disliked.
Good deeds do deserve to be memorialized. What a fascinating piece of Gothic architecture. I agree that moving a dead body 270 miles would be tricky in those days.
ReplyDeletehihi, looks more like a small church tower to me. but its pretty!
ReplyDeletebones lying around the city... hmm..