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Gravestone Survey

Methodology

Survey of slabs

A survey of the existing grave slabs within the surface of the Upper Chapel yard had already been compiled by the project architects, and this survey was used as a base plan for a 1:200 survey of the gravestone locations (Fig. 2). Two grave slabs were not marked on the existing survey, and two slabs marked on the survey proved not to be gravestones. These variations were recorded on the 1:200 plan, along with two gravestones propped vertically against the chapel wall.

Figure 2

Figure 2: Gravestone location plan

Each gravestone was cleaned, and a digital photograph taken incorporating a photographic scale. In total, 39 slabs were recorded; a single slab previously covered with a layer of concrete was exposed during the subsequent watching brief, and this is included as Gravestone 40. Within the rear yard to the west of the vestry 35 slabs had been laid flat within the yard surface, one slab was laid horizontally but slightly raised above the yard surface, and one slab was propped vertically against the wall of the chapel. Within the narrow passage to the north of the chapel, one slab was located within the yard surface, and a second slab was propped vertically against the wall of the chapel. The slab uncovered during the watching brief was also located within this narrow passage. All the flat stones were orientated east to west, with the top of the stone laid to the west. Where inscriptions were visible and legible, these were recorded.

Watching brief on re-laying of gravestones

A dilapidation survey of the existing grave slabs within the surface of the Upper Chapel yard compiled by the project architects suggested that many of the gravestones were too dilapidated to be re-laid in order to create a level yard surface. Consequently, after consultations between the client and Sheffield City Council, a decision was made to re-lay a selected number of the gravestones only, while the rest of the yard was re-laid with new stone paving. Gravestone 5 was the only gravestone unaffected by the work as it was not lifted and remained in its original location. The gravestones (Gravestones 1, 2, 5, 10, 11, 12, 16, 17, 18, 24, 30, 31, 34, 35) were not re-laid in their original locations but repositioned at the western end of the yard (Fig. 3). A number of the remaining gravestones (Gravestones 8, 15, 20, 27, 28, 29, 36, as well as another slab not identified as a gravestone during the survey but marked as number 6 on the 1900 plan) were stored by the chapel authorities, but the rest were destroyed.

An archaeological watching brief was maintained during the lifting and re-laying of grave slabs within the yard to the north and west of the chapel.

Catalogue of gravestones

Gravestone 1 (viewed facing west)
IN MEMORY OF 
WILLIAM WARBURTON
who died NOV 10th 1818
Aged 42 Years.
Also of Mary Wife of the 
above William Warburton
who departed this Life
May 1st 1836 aged 37 Years.
(Carved at the bottom of gravestone)
M.W.
Gravestone 1
Gravestone 2 (viewed facing west)
(Illegible writing at very top of stone)
This stone is inscribed to
the Memory of ERNEST the son
of MICHAEL and MARY HUNTER
who died MAY 21 1834 aged 5 Years.
Also to their Daughter SOPHIA
The Wife of Mr EDWARD MAPPIN.
She died in London October 2 1849
aged 24 Years and was buried here.
Gravestone 2
Gravestone 3 (viewed facing west) (No visible writing) Gravestone 3
Gravestone 4 (viewed facing west)
HERE lie the remains of Wil
liam Spencer who died the (?)
of March 1786 in the (?) Year
of his Age.
Gravestone 4
Gravestone 5 (viewed facing west)
Here lieth (?) of John Son of Henry
Hall who died Feb 10 1796 Aged 3 Years
6 Months.
Here are Also deposited the Remains 
of Henry Hall who died September 
(?) 1816 Aged 57 Years.
Gravestone 5
Gravestone 6 (viewed facing west) (Inscription illegible) Gravestone 6
Gravestone 7 (viewed facing west) (Inscription illegible) Gravestone 7
Gravestone 8 (viewed facing west) (Inscription illegible) Gravestone 8
Gravestone 9 (viewed facing west) (Inscription illegible) Gravestone 9
Gravestone 10 (viewed facing west)
Rebecca the Wife
of Michael Hunter died
May 21 1767 Aged 36.
Michael Hunter died June ey
18th 1771 Aged 17. Michael
Hunter the Son of Michael
Hunter Junr died March 2nd 1785
Aged 11 Months. Elizabeth the Wife
Of Michael Hunter Junr died 
March 20th 1787 Aged 23 Years.
Also Ebenezar Fletcher his son
Died April the 14th 1788 aged 2 Years.
Also Mary the second Wife of
Michael Hunter Junr who died
March 1st 1828 aged 69 Years.
Mr Miche Hunter Died 
Janry 29th 1831 aged
71 years.
Gravestone 10
Gravestone 11 (viewed facing west) (Inscription illegible) Gravestone 11
Gravestone 12 (viewed facing west) (Inscription illegible) Gravestone 12
Gravestone 13 (viewed facing west) (Inscription illegible) Gravestone 13
Gravestone 14 (viewed facing west) (Inscription illegible) Gravestone 14
Gravestone 15 (viewed facing west) (Inscription illegible) Gravestone 15
Gravestone 16 (viewed facing west) (Inscription illegible) Gravestone 16
Gravestone 17 (viewed facing west)
John Kitchin departed this life April
The 18th 1791 Aged 61 Years.
Also Mary Wife of the above said
John Kitchin died January 3rd 
1816 in the (?) year of her Age.
Gravestone 17
Gravestone 18 (viewed facing west)
In Memory of REBECCA the 
Wife of SAMUEL LUCAS who died
Novr 25th 1799 Aged 34 Years.
Also of the above said Samuel Lucas
who died the 3rd January 1831 aged 70 years.
Also of SAMUEL their Son who died 
the 11th of August 1835 aged 44 Years.
Also of William their Son who died
the 17th of July 1858 aged (?) Years.
Gravestone 18
Gravestone 19 (viewed facing west) (Inscription illegible) Gravestone 19
Gravestone 20 (viewed facing west) (No inscription visible but carved border is visible around edge of stone) Gravestone 20
Gravestone 21 (viewed facing west) (Inscription illegible) Gravestone 21
Gravestone 22 (viewed facing east)
IN MEMORY
of
The (?) JOSEPH EVANS
(?) the faithful
(?) of this congregation.
He died Decr 31st 1803
	Aged 75 years.
SUSANNA EVANS
(formerly SUSANNA HAYNES)
his aged and virtuous Relict
died (?) June 1815
and was (?).
Gravestone 22
Gravestone 23 (viewed facing east) (No inscription visible but remains of carved border is visible around edge of stone) Gravestone 23
Gravestone 24 (viewed facing west) (Inscription illegible apart from date 1820) Gravestone 24
Gravestone 25 (viewed facing east) (Inscription illegible) Gravestone 25
Gravestone 26 (viewed facing east) (Inscription illegible) Gravestone 26
Gravestone 27 (viewed facing west) (Inscription illegible) Gravestone 27
Gravestone 28 (viewed facing east) (Inscription illegible) Gravestone 28
Gravestone 29 (viewed facing east) (Inscription illegible) Gravestone 29
Gravestone 30 (viewed facing west)
IN MEMORY
of Mary Dickinson Who
Departed this Life the 7th of
May 179(?) Aged (?) Years.
Gravestone 30
Gravestone 31 (viewed facing west) (Inscription illegible apart from name Dickinson and date 1780) Gravestone 31
Gravestone 32 (viewed facing west)
In Memory of Jane
Woodall Wife of
John Woodall (?)
who departed this
Life May (?) 1807
Aged (?) Years.
Gravestone 32
Gravestone 33 (viewed facing west)
Here Lyeth
the Body of
Joseph Smith who
departed this life
y 17 of June 1726
(4 illegible lines)
ALLSO MARY HIS DAU
GHTER WAS BURYED THE
(?) OF SEPTEM
(illegible section)
	ALSO
SAMUEL HIS SON
BURYED Y 12th of MAY 1723.
Gravestone 33
Gravestone 34 (viewed facing west) (Gravestone raised slightly above yard surface)
Here lie
waiting for the glorious 
reƒurrection of the juƒt
and innocent the dear
Remains of Thomas ey Son
of Thos and Elizth Haynes
who died Decr 20th 1743
	Aged 8.
Alƒo of William another Son
who died Mar 2nd 174(?) Aged
	3 Years.
Alƒo the Revd Thomas Haynes
late Miniƒter of thiƒ Place
who died 3rd Decr 1758 Aged 58
the Memory of the Juƒt is Bleƒsed.
Gravestone 34
Gravestone 35 (viewed facing east)
IN MEMORY of Elizabeth 
Haynes Wife of the late Rev
Thomas Haynes who died
June (?) 17(?)
(the rest of the inscription is illegible)
Gravestone 35
Gravestone 36 (viewed facing west) (Inscription illegible) Gravestone 36
Gravestone 37 (viewed facing east) (Standing gravestone, inscription illegible, possibly in Latin) Gravestone 37
Gravestone 38 (viewed facing south) (standing gravestone)
	Rebekah
Wife of John Wadsworth
Daughter of Field 
and Rebekah Sylvester
was buried here Jan 12
A.D. 1735 Aged 50 years.
FIELD SYLVESTER
SON OF JOSHUA AND JUDITH
SYLVESTER OF MANSFIELD
BORN MAY 11th 1654
EXPIRED MAY 10th 1717.
He yt Hath mercy on (illegible bible reference)
Happy is he (illegible bible reference)
WILLIAM SON OF JOHN
WADSWORTH & REBEKAH
HIS WIFE DYD FEBRy 13th 
1723 AGED 19 WEEKS.
REBEKA THE WIDOW 
OF FIELD SYLVESTER
DIED JULY ey 28th
172(?) AGED 75 
	YEARS.
Gravestone 38
Gravestone 39 (viewed facing west)
Here lieth ye Body of 
James Sh(?)ld who
Departed this life May
(rest is illegible)
Gravestone 39
Gravestone 40 (viewed facing west) (Gravestone uncovered below modern paving)
JOHN SON
OF WILLm RADCLIFF
DYED OCT 17 AGED 
36 WEEKS 1722.
Mary Shemeld (uncertain reading of surname)
Widow died (?)
1729 Aged 60 years.
William Radcliff
Died (?) 1745
Aged (?). Alƒo Thomas
Radcliff his son died
21st Sep 1765 Aged 21 Years.
Alƒo Hannah the Wife of 
William Radcliff depart
ed this life June (?) 177(?)
Aged (?) Years.
Gravestone 40

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