Another Key Hill Cemetery memorial stone has been uncovered recently by the famous Brian Southwell of The Friends of Key Hill and Warstone Lane Cemeteries.
Please see attached images (courtesy of Brian Southwell, March 2011).
The inscription reads:
In affectionate remembrance of RACHEL, wife of RICHARD BARBER, who died in the faith of God's elect, May 23rd 1842, aged 41 years.
Also CAROLINE BARBER, who died August 1st 1889, aged 82 years.
The stone (Section P, Grave 407) marks the burial of seven members of my ancestral Barber family (Richard Barber 1845 is my 5 x Great Grandfather):
1. Rachel Barber, died 1842 = third wife of Richard Barber below
2. Richard Barber, died 1845 = head (married four times)
3. Bernice (Barber) Dixon, died 1848 = daughter of Richard Barber above (first marriage)
4. Frederick Barber, died 1868 = son of Richard Barber above (first marriage)
5. Sarah Ann Barber, died 1871 = ?
6. Samuel Barber, died 1879 = ?
7. Caroline (Shore) Barber, died 1889 = second wife of Frederick Barber above
The memorial inscription includes only Rachel (No.1) and Caroline (No.7), although Richard (No.2) is mentioned as the husband of Rachel.
I am puzzled as to why there is no inscription for the other five family members as recorded in the Key Hill Burial Register for grave P.407.
Would there once have been a separate memorial / ornament elsewhere or perhaps on top of this slab?
I would be surprised if the names were omitted as an economy measure as these people were not poor. Indeed, Richard Barber (1761-1845) owned and let a number of residential properties in the Birmingham area.
Could anyone suggest a reason or a research route?
Mark
Please see attached images (courtesy of Brian Southwell, March 2011).
The inscription reads:
In affectionate remembrance of RACHEL, wife of RICHARD BARBER, who died in the faith of God's elect, May 23rd 1842, aged 41 years.
Also CAROLINE BARBER, who died August 1st 1889, aged 82 years.
The stone (Section P, Grave 407) marks the burial of seven members of my ancestral Barber family (Richard Barber 1845 is my 5 x Great Grandfather):
1. Rachel Barber, died 1842 = third wife of Richard Barber below
2. Richard Barber, died 1845 = head (married four times)
3. Bernice (Barber) Dixon, died 1848 = daughter of Richard Barber above (first marriage)
4. Frederick Barber, died 1868 = son of Richard Barber above (first marriage)
5. Sarah Ann Barber, died 1871 = ?
6. Samuel Barber, died 1879 = ?
7. Caroline (Shore) Barber, died 1889 = second wife of Frederick Barber above
The memorial inscription includes only Rachel (No.1) and Caroline (No.7), although Richard (No.2) is mentioned as the husband of Rachel.
I am puzzled as to why there is no inscription for the other five family members as recorded in the Key Hill Burial Register for grave P.407.
Would there once have been a separate memorial / ornament elsewhere or perhaps on top of this slab?
I would be surprised if the names were omitted as an economy measure as these people were not poor. Indeed, Richard Barber (1761-1845) owned and let a number of residential properties in the Birmingham area.
Could anyone suggest a reason or a research route?
Mark