Chesterfield Graves.

[BorderReiver]

It appears, on Google Earth, as though the grounds of the Chesterfield Parish Church (St. Mary and All Saints) have been grassed over.  After a 10 year search I have now reason to believe that my 4th Great Grand-Father was buried there, in 1827.  Can anyone tell me if the graves would have been removed, and where to, or would they have been simply grassed over? 

[spendlove]

Hi,

The head stones, will have been removed but the actual graves will still be in original position.

If you are lucky, you may find a head stone sometimes they are leaning against boundary wall of church yard, some have been used to make foot paths.

In most cases removal of the head stones was not done with care, so broken sections are often to
be found under bushes/grass etc.

There are still quite a lot of head stones and graves left at the Crooked Spire
Spendlove

[BorderReiver]

Thank you for your prompt reply.  As I only live in Sheffield I will pay a visit to the church in the near future.

[GFHWP]

I walked through St Mary's churchyard last weekend.
On two sides the graveyard has been returfed and the headstones removed and placed around the churchyard walls. In places they are several deep and it looked to me as if it would be extremely difficult to read them now.

Perhaps when they did this a plan and transcription was made?

On the third side there are still some stones in situ. Again, these are very mossed over and difficult to read.

Additionally, there are several very old stones in the porch floor.

I did not go in the church as there was a service on so what is inside I have no idea.

Good luck

Phil

[BorderReiver]

Thank you for your reply. 

I suppose I'll just have to go and look myself if it's just to get this bee out of my bonnet.     I've just sent off for, and received, a CD, a copy of Monumental Inscriptions for the church.  Needless to say, there were only a few records on it and nothing of my ancestor.

Cheers.

[janescroft]

Hi,
Have only just read your post. I have connections with the spire and if you send me a PM with the details of your relation I will do my best to find out if the stone is still there.

[BorderReiver]

I finally visited St. Mary's on October 2^nd 2019 (the 192^nd anniversary of my ancestor, John's, burial). 

I believe the headstones were removed in 1925 to create a park and only a few were kept and are leaned up against the outer wall.  The clerk of works recorded the location of the graves with just the names of the occupants and no further details so at least I was able to visit the exact location.