Teignmouth Old Cemetery officially opened in early 1856 and the first person to be buried there was Mary Bowden. She was buried in an unmarked, unbricked grave in what appears to be a fairly arbitrary position (plot number F51) in consecrated ground close to the Anglican (“non-dissenters”) chapel. The event had a brief mention inContinue reading “The First Twenty”
Category Archives: People
Of Mining, Military, Migration and the Steer Family Grave
From Victoria, Australia A couple of months ago we were privileged to receive from across the Atlantic the wonderful, adventurous story of Herbert Douglas Langston. We can now add to our international connections following a contact from Sandra Fuller of Victoria, Australia who was searching for the family grave of Ann and Philip Steer whoContinue reading “Of Mining, Military, Migration and the Steer Family Grave”
Tunbridge to Texas to Teignmouth
It’s not often that you get a story straight from the horse’s mouth, so to speak, so it’s a great pleasure to be able to share this one. We were contacted by Wallace (Randy) Langston after the discovery of his great-grandfather’s grave in the cemetery and he has subsequently sent this amazing story about hisContinue reading “Tunbridge to Texas to Teignmouth”
The Vagabond Husband
There are many ‘child graves’ in Teignmouth old cemetery. This is the story behind one of those. I choose the phrase ‘behind one of those’ carefully because it is rare that a child’s lifetime would be of historical significance. But the events leading up to a child’s birth and death are a different matter, andContinue reading “The Vagabond Husband”
The Curious Case of Mangolds, the General and the Eggs
Here are three little stories which come from our archive of newspaper articles. They revolve around General Frederick J Davis who was buried in the cemetery in 1901 alongside his wife, Sophia.
A Big Thanks
As we start the new year we would like to thank everyone who has contributed in one way or another to the research behind the various historical stories which have appeared on this site in the last year. It’s wonderful that not only do we have a cadre of support locally but that there areContinue reading “A Big Thanks”
Murder Most Foul
Teignmouth Old Cemetery has already yielded some of its secrets but this is something new – our first crime. Not just any crime but a murder so gruesome that it shocked the nation at the time.
Inner Spirit
Introduction “In everyone’s life, at some time, our inner fire goes out. It is then burst into flame by an encounter with another human being. We should all be thankful for those people who rekindle the inner spirit.” Albert Schweitzer It has been two years since we first discovered their grave. There was a brief flurryContinue reading “Inner Spirit”
The Two Juanitas
As you walk through Teignmouth Old Cemetery, you can’t fail but be drawn to some of the graves that have been uncovered – it could be the headstone that catches your eye; or maybe you wonder about the epitaph; or, as in the case of this story, it may be the name of the person buried there – in this case Blanche Juanita Cooke, or rather Lady Blanche Juanita Cooke, wife of the 9th baronet.
In te domine speravi
“A——-, a mantle-maker in a large establishment. Wages 9s. per week, latterly only 7s. 6d., work being slack. Pays 3s. 6d. for room, 1s. for coal, lamp-oil, and firewood, 9d. for washing, which leaves just 3s. 9d. for food and clothing. Lives mostly on bread and tea; carries bread and butter for her dinner toContinue reading “In te domine speravi”
Teignmouth Old Cemetery 