The Proposed Cemetery
During the week which ended on the 11th of March, parish meetings were held to discuss the subject of a necessitous cemetery, and burial committees were formed. The resolutions passed at the All Saints, St. Clements and St. Mary-in-the -Castle meetings were all to one effect – namely “That the situation of the ground on the Priory Farm appears to be well calculated for a cemetery and is approved of by this vestry.” The first meeting of the Burial Board, composed of representatives of all the parishes, was on the 17th of March, and is described in chapter LI, as are also the meetings of the 24th of March, 12th of May, & 27th of June. At such meetings it was shewn that the chosen site on the Priory Farm could not be purchased and that another site on the Blacklands farm was not acceptable to the two westernmost parishes in consequence of its great distance and difficulty of approach. Then at meetings of the St. Clement’s, St. Mary’s, Holy Trinity and St. Michael’s parishes, resolutions were passed, approving of the Blackland’s site and the purchase of the same, even though the two western parishes withdrew.
On the 5th of October an opinion having been received that the parishes of St. Leonards and St. Mary Magdalen could not withdraw from the Burial Board without the consent of the other parishes, it was resolved that the bill of expenses, amounting to £119 be apportioned as follows:- St. Clement’s £22 19s.; Magdalen, £37 7s. 6d.; Castle £36 5s.; Trinity £9 8s. 6d.; St. Michael’s £2 3s.; St. Leonards, £10 6s. It was further resolved that the Board reconsider the question of purchasing the Horntye field. As, however, only 7¾ acres of that land could be purchased at the legally prescribed distance from inhabited houses, the Burial Board decided to apply to Mr. Eversfield for additional space.
The difficulty experienced in getting suitable ground induced the Burial Board to ask and obtain an extension of time for closing the several burying-grounds from January to May 1855.
The Search for a Cemetery Site - Board of Guardians
The hitherto unsuccessful search for a cemetery within a reasonable distance from the several parishes of the united Board was increased by the geographical position of those parishes. On one side the locality was open to the sea, whilst on the other side or sides there were obstacles that could not be surmounted. Lady Waldegrave was alway(sic) ready to help in good works, but having only a life interest in the land in her own keeping, was legally unable to dispose of it as she might wish. The Priory farm, as has been shewn, was first thought of, but matters could not be arranged conjointly with her ladyship and the trustees of Lord Cornwallis. Next, came the Blacklands farm, a portion of which was offered by the Misses Sayer at a moderate price, but an objection to that site by the western parishes prevented an acceptance of the offer. Then Mr. -
