"Exalt the brave, & idolize Success"




A measure of clean air in Norfolk

© Godric Godricson

 Cemeteries in England are massively important as wildlife reserves and natural corridors. This picture shows the encrustation that occurs on older monuments made from sedimentary materials such as limestone or especially sandstone. The cemetery often acts as an 'ark' where wildlife has a toehold in the City.

Ancient stonework on chapels and memorials, when undisturbed and unpolluted by chemical sprays etc, provide ideal habitats for growth and the clean air of Norfolk is wonderful for such growth.

The materials found in an English cemetery are often varied and comprised of limestone, sandstone, iron, marble, brick, mortar, slate and granite.  Granite is  one of the least changeable materials in nature and even here we find it possible for lichen to grow on Victorian monuments. Nature is a wonderful thing and  nature often conspires against  a sometimes undeveloped human idea of an unchanging immortality.

Each type of stone has its own special  lichen communities and we sometimes find that  lichens can be found on well-established trees and wooden structures such as memorial benches.

Lichens are wonderful things and we have to curb our enthusiasm when it comes to cleaning monuments. Leave the lichen in peace and see lichens as a positive comment on air purity in a beautiful county.

Robert Bennet 1811-1879




Robert Bennett 1811-1879

Sarah Bennett   1812-1892

John Bennett    1840-1864

© Godric Godricson

Robert Bennett is seen in the 1851 Census (UK) as an agricultural labourer and it is some surprise to find this designation. The reason for the surprise is the divergence between the idea of agricultural labour and the substantial gravestone in the cemetery at West Bradenham. The monument is no different from that of John Dawes who is described as a farmer.

Robert Married Sarah who originated from nearby Necton before having their family. The 1851 census shows William (17), John(11) Elizabeth (9), Phebe (7), Edward (4) and Anna (2). By 1861 we find only John and Anna are at home although we find that the couple now have James born abt 1854. It is James who is the last to leave the family home and he is still at home in the census of 1871 aged 17. By 1881 James is a butler in the home of Viscount Gort on the Isle of Wight. In 1891, he moves to Esher as a butler and he retains the role of butler in the 1901 census whilst in service in Watford.

Regrettably, John dies and we can only speculate on the reasons. John's burial along with his parents at West Bradenham is recorded on their headstone.

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.