A public grave and an unusual discovery

As you look across the cemetery, you will see large areas without headstones or grave markers. But we know there are no empty burial spaces here as the cemetery was full when it closed in the 1970s.

These empty spaces are graves where families were unable to afford a headstone or memorial of any kind. There are also a large number of public graves where families were unable to afford even a burial plot. These plots often contain numerous burials, usually of unrelated persons. And then there are also the infant burial plots where the babies are buried and there are a large number of those in the cemetery.

I came across plot C63 while was researching the death of Emily Hobbs. Emily had died at the Stratton Infirmary aged 75 years old. Her home address was given as 34 Linslade Street and she was buried here on September 24, 1938.

When I looked at the plot details I soon discovered that this was a public plot, so I knew there would not be a headstone. But what surprised me was that there were four other people by the name of Hobbs already buried here when Emily died in 1938.

Research revealed that this plot was originally designated as a babies plot. The first burial to take place was that of Edgar Henry Smith a 10 week old baby who died in June 1896. A week later another baby was buried here 17 month old Grace Emily Hobbs from 31 Linslade Street. In February 1897 Laura Louise Hobbs aged 5 years old from 31 Linslade Street was buried here. In November of that year Myra Agnes Smith, little Edgar’s sister, was buried here aged 3 months old. And on February 13, 1909 the last burial of a baby was that of three day old Violet Mary Bishop. However, nine years before that, William John Hobbs aged 15 months of Groves Street was also buried here.

Could it be a coincidence that so many babies by the name of Hobbs were buried in this plot?

Emily Leviss married Charles Hobbs at St Leonard’s Church, Blunsdon on December 22, 1883. The young couple were both aged 20 and had to obtain the consent of their parents to marry. On the marriage certificate Charles’s father is named as William Hobbs a labourer but Emily has given no father’s name or details, suggesting that she was probably born illegitimately.

The couple moved to Rodbourne where they lived at various address in Groves Street, Linslade Street and Redcliffe Street.

In 1891 Emily and Charles are living at 31 Linslade Street. Charles works as a Blacksmith Striker in the Works. The couple have two children – five year old Frederick Thomas and Henry James aged 3. Living with them is Emily’s grandmother Hannah Matthews aged 75 who works as a Laundress. Charlotte M. Willis is visiting the family on census night.

By 1901 the family are living at 31 Linslade Street and by then they have another son Reginald Charles who is 7 years old.

But it isn’t until we get to the 1911 census that the full tragedy of the family comes to light. Charles and Emily are by then both 48 years old. Elder sons Frederick and Henry have moved out and moved on. Still living at home are Reginald Charles, Edward Alfred and youngest son Norman Stanley Leviss Hobbs aged just 2 years old. Charles and Emily have been married for 27 years and during that time Emily has had 10 children and 5 have died.

As well as the three children buried here Hubert Robert Hobbs died in 1904 aged 10 months and is buried in plot B1318. Florence Maud Hobbs died in January 1907 aged one year old and is buried in B1845.

When Emily’s husband Charles died in 1913, he was buried in grave plot C63 with his children, presumably at Emily’s request, and then when she died 25 years later she joined them. This is quite an unusual situation for a public grave. Perhaps it shows a more compassionate side of an authority that allowed this family to be reunited even though they could not afford to buy their own grave plot.