Henry Dawes 1788 - 1873

© Godric Godricson

Henry Dawes was born in West Bradenham and left goods to the value of under £100 and a wife, Judith when he died in the same village.  The entry in the register of wills reads somewhat starkly as follows

"The will of Henry Dawes late of West Bradenham in the County of Norfolk Farmer who died 20 January 1873 at West Bradenham was proved at Norwich by Judith Dawes of West Bradenham widow. The Relict sole executrix. "

Henry married Judith in 1839. The 1851 Census shows that Henry and Judith had a son Frederick who had been born around 1841, again, in West Bradenham and it is clear that the Dawes family were locals.

Frederick H Dawes appears in the 1861 Census at West Bradenham as a "Farmers son" although the farm itself is only a small affair at 13 acres which may explain the relatively low amount left to Judith.

John Ward d January 1860

© Godric Godricson

William Meybohm Rider Haggard 1817 - 1893



                                                       

© Godric Godricson

The cemetery is a place where both the great and the good and also the rich and the poor meet in their journey towards eternity and here we can see the Haggard family coming into contact with the peasantry of Bradenham. Despite their wealth and occupancy of Bradenham Hall they have no option but to rest in the earth with ordinary people. Death is a leveller and one that has no respect of person. A person may have great wealth on earth and yet we are all going in the same direction. Please have a look at the 'Find a grave' entry for Sir William which is interesting and well written. I won't try to repeat this commentary  here as it would be re-writing what has already been said with eloquence and brevity.Interestingly, it may have been the case that this family would have been interred indoors (intramural inhumation) prior to 1855 although the Municipal Burials Act made that traditional option more difficult and perhaps more unfashionable.

Ella Haggard (nee Doveton) 1819 - 9th December 1889

© Godric Godricson

Born to Bazett Doveton in Norwich  See this link for Ella's birth details

Alexander Doyle Peckover Penrose 1896 - 1950

© Godric Godricson

West Bradenham is a rather wonderful place although the Church is somewhat lost on its plinth above the village. From this commanding location, Saint Mary’s continues both to look down on the scene, as it has for hundreds of years and also to simultaneously hide away.

The cemetery is full of the local family associated with the village which was the Haggards with Rider Haggard being the best known example. The Rider Haggard Society still exist and keep the writers memory alive and well.

Alexander Doyle Peckover Penrose is also associated with Bradenham and we find his burial here. For information and genealogy