Taphophilia is a passion for and enjoyment of cemeteries. The singular term is a taphophile.
Monument to John and Susanna Burdett, Bray Parish Cemetery, Holyport Berkshire.
"In loving memory of John Burdett. Who fell asleep May 2nd 1905. Aged 78 years - His End Was Peace.
Also of
Susanna Burdett. Wife of the above died Decr 27th 1917. Aged 90 years - Thy Will Be Done."
John Burdett was born in Chilton Berkshire in 1827. Unfortunately I am unable to trace John's parents. In 1851 John is living on his own and working as a gardener in Walton-on-Thames, Surrey. In that same year John married Susanna Taylor Lee.
1861 see John and Susanna (listed as Susan) living at Bray Weir in Berkshire. John is still a gardener and the family has expanded to include four children, Susanna aged 8, John aged 6, William aged 3 and 1 year old Emma.
By 1871 John and Susanna have moved to Bridge Street in Maidenhead. John is now a Nursery Man. 1881 sees John's business expand and he is now employing 2 men. The family has also expanded to include Ellen Alice aged 12 and Frances aged 8. Living with the family is their daughter Emma, her husband Frank Burnham and their son Frank aged 1. In 1891 John is listed as a Florist.
By 1901, now elderly and infirm John and Susanna are inmates of The Jesus Hospital in Bray Village, Berkshire. The Jesus Hospital is a red-brick group of almshouses, founded in 1627 by William Goddard, whose full-size effigy stands over the entrance, to house thirty-four of the aged poor of Bray and six of the Worshipful Company of Fishmongers.
Sadly John was to pass away four years later. However Susannah remained at The Jesus Hospital until her death in 1917.
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Well Chilton is where I work so I may pop up the churchyard sometime and have a look at the graves there.
ReplyDeleteLet me know if you find any other Burdetts.
DeleteWhat a shame that in 20 years John has gone from being an employer at a profession he must have loved since he had no other, to living in an almshouse. His wife spent a very long time in this hospital, I hope some of her many children visited her.
ReplyDeleteIf there was ever an almshouse you would have wanted to live in it was The Jesus Hospital at Bray. It's stunningly beautiful and has extensive gardens. It was recently saved and is still used as elderly housing. Bray is a very posh village and very proud of the hospital.
DeleteAs always, I appreciate your photos and all the information you find. It's interesting to learn about the almshouse.
ReplyDeleteI always appreciate how much information you find. The almshouse really sounds interesting
ReplyDelete