Unconsecrated Burials

[Amergin]

I was reading about the Stake Pass hike in the Lake District and I came across a curious story; ‘The Packwoman’s Grave’, off the footpath.

I conducted a quick Google search and found a fascinating website by one Paul Grantham, where he has catalogued a list of unconsecrated burials in the UK. On the Packwoman’s Grave, he states:

“Although only a short distance off one of the main Lake District footpaths, the Packwoman's grave is surprisingly little known. Folk tales handed down by those in the know, tell us that this is the grave of an elderly hawker who traveled the hills towards the latter part of the 18th century.

Peddling general wares at Lakeland farms, like the Yorkshire cork seller, she would have been a well-known visitor and no doubt her local knowledge would have enabled her to plan her itinerary to ensure that she reached shelter before nightfall.

Unfortunately, one morning she was discovered still surrounded by her wares, having apparently frozen to death in the remote hills. As it would be known that no claims would be made upon the corpse an immediate rudimentary burial was expedited.”

Elsewhere I read that the grave had once been excavated. No human remains were evident, but some thimbles were found.

For the website, see:
http://www.thegranthams.co.uk/paul/graves/index.html

Looks like a load of interesting stuff here. Elsewhere on his website, he details a nice Fortean tale, ‘The Silpho flying saucer’. See:

http://www.thegranthams.co.uk/paul/silpho.html

 

[Paul_Exeter]

I was reading about the Stake Pass hike in the Lake District and I came across a curious story; ‘The Packwoman’s Grave’, off the footpath.

I conducted a quick Google search and found a fascinating website by one Paul Grantham, where he has catalogued a list of unconsecrated burials in the UK. On the Packwoman’s Grave, he states:

“Although only a short distance off one of the main Lake District footpaths, the Packwoman's grave is surprisingly little known. Folk tales handed down by those in the know, tell us that this is the grave of an elderly hawker who traveled the hills towards the latter part of the 18th century.

Peddling general wares at Lakeland farms, like the Yorkshire cork seller, she would have been a well-known visitor and no doubt her local knowledge would have enabled her to plan her itinerary to ensure that she reached shelter before nightfall.

Unfortunately, one morning she was discovered still surrounded by her wares, having apparently frozen to death in the remote hills. As it would be known that no claims would be made upon the corpse an immediate rudimentary burial was expedited.”

Elsewhere I read that the grave had once been excavated. No human remains were evident, but some thimbles were found.

For the website, see:
http://www.thegranthams.co.uk/paul/graves/index.html

Looks like a load of interesting stuff here. Elsewhere on his website, he details a nice Fortean tale, ‘The Silpho flying saucer’. See:

http://www.thegranthams.co.uk/paul/silpho.html

Interesting post.

Jay's grave on Dartmoor is a famously haunted unconsecrated grave:

https://www.dartmoor.gov.uk/learning/dartmoor-legends/the-legend-of-jays-grave

The Silpho UFO is fascinating. if there is any truth that it was man-made surveillance device disguised as a flying saucer then the use of hieroglyphics has interesting parallels with debris at Roswell. For me, I can't understand why the object wasn't red hot after plunging to earth...? It should have scorched the ground and makes me think that the object was placed there to be found and the light seen was either coincidental or a lure,,,

 

[Nosmo King]

Interesting post.

Jay's grave on Dartmoor is a famously haunted unconsecrated grave:

https://www.dartmoor.gov.uk/learning/dartmoor-legends/the-legend-of-jays-grave

The Silpho UFO is fascinating. if there is any truth that it was man-made surveillance device disguised as a flying saucer then the use of hieroglyphics has interesting parallels with debris at Roswell. For me, I can't understand why the object wasn't red hot after plunging to earth...? It should have scorched the ground and makes me think that the object was placed there to be found and the light seen was either coincidental or a lure,,,

It would only be red hot if it had entered the earths atmosphere, if it was a spy device it would have been in the sky rather than space and would only be as hot as a normal aircraft crash landing.

 

[Reverend D]

Does anyone know if it's possible in the UK to trace an unmarked grave? For example, could I go anywhere online or in the "real" world with details of the deceased's name, year of death and name of the cemetery, and be told the approximate location of the grave?

 

[Amergin]

Does anyone know if it's possible in the UK to trace an unmarked grave? For example, could I go anywhere online or in the "real" world with details of the deceased's name, year of death and name of the cemetery, and be told the approximate location of the grave?

I don’t think there’s any national record. Recently I identified the resting place of relatives in West Derby Cemetery, Liverpool, but that was thanks to a thorough record and maps online that I think were put together by volunteers. That’s probably your best bet - identify the cemetery and see if anyone locally has documented the interments.

 

[Reverend D]

I don’t think there’s any national record. Recently I identified the resting place of relatives in West Derby Cemetery, Liverpool, but that was thanks to a thorough record and maps online that I think were put together by volunteers. That’s probably your best bet - identify the cemetery and see if anyone locally has documented the interments.

Thank you! Turns out a relative of mine is in an unmarked grave in a cemetery very near where I grew up, and I didn't know this til recently. I'd imagine it's been a long time since anyone visited, so thought it might be nice to find where it is.

I appreciate your info!

 

[Amergin]

Thank you! Turns out a relative of mine is in an unmarked grave in a cemetery very near where I grew up, and I didn't know this til recently. I'd imagine it's been a long time since anyone visited, so thought it might be nice to find where it is.

I appreciate your info!

You are very welcome. Of course any associated church may keep a record too.

 

[escargot]

Forebears of mine were paupers which meant they were buried in unmarked graves. I've been shown the area but it would be impossible to pick out any one grave as it's literally just one end of a cemetery. Horrific really.

 

[CarlosTheDJ]

Interesting post.

Jay's grave on Dartmoor is a famously haunted unconsecrated grave:

https://www.dartmoor.gov.uk/learning/dartmoor-legends/the-legend-of-jays-grave

I've got a record about Kitty Jay's grave:

https://www.discogs.com/Anworth-Kir...lklore-Tapes-Volume-II-Graves/release/6951981

 

[RaM]

They found 2 or 3 graves just outside the church yard in the next village to us, two ideas have been put forward, one they were accused of being a witch or and more likely they were so poor they could not afford a church burial so we’re buried as close as possible.

 

[Tempest63]

Forebears of mine were paupers which meant they were buried in unmarked graves. I've been shown the area but it would be impossible to pick out any one grave as it's literally just one end of a cemetery. Horrific really.

They dig them up after 30 years now and cremate them. My dad went in, in 1985 at the young age of 53. Mum picked a joint plot so they would spend eternity together, then we got the bill to renew the lease. If none of us siblings are around in a little over 20 years they will both be going to the crem.