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O. Clarke, Stonemason Selly Oak

L

Local History

master brummie
I don't know if I am in the 'right year' but wonder if anyone can assist. A kerbstone from a grave has recently been uncovered and we are trying to ascertain an approx. year of the burial. There is no memorial as to who is buried in the Plot, nor on the Graveyard Plan or the burial register. All we have to go on is the name of the above stonemason.
 
There is no Clarke , stonemason in Kellys in 1913,1921 or 1933. there is however:

1882-1897 Oliver Clarke, stonemason, High St, Selly Oak (nothing in 1880)
1899-1900 Oliver Clarke & Sons, stonemasons, Bristol road , Selly Oak (nothing in 1903)
High St Selly Oak later became part of Bristol Road, so probably the same premises
Mike
 
1891 census has Oliver O Clarke age 35, stonemason, Bristol Rd, Northfield (would have included Selly Oak), born Birmingham.
Oliver Owen Clarke was born 3rd q. 1855; married Elizabeth Turner from Claines, Worcester in Droitwich district (which included part of Claines then) 2nd q. 1879; and died aged 43 2nd q 1899.
They had (amongst others) a son, Oliver Turner Clarke, in 3rd quarter 1883, who married in Birmingham 4th q.1903 (to Lillie Gillard or Kate Grady).
An Oliver Clarke is at 22 Luton Rd Selly Oak in the 1912 electoral roll, but a different name is there from 1920 onwards.
Only widow Elizabeth Clarke is at that address in the 1911 census, although a missing name, aged 29 has details crossed out above hers and ner occupation of 'mother' is altered to 'housekeeper' or 'visitor', she being the only person listed.
There is an Oliver T Clarke in the WW1 medal rolls, a gunner in the Royal Garrison Artillery. Might be him, might not.

That should date your stone to 1880-1900, the same as mikejee's notes from Kelly's.
 
Thank you Mike and Lloyd for the wealth of information you have provided. I am overwhelmed !! As the graveyard didn't 'open' until 1892 it has narrowed our search down a little. Even if we don't find a name for the person interred we can at least give an approximate year of burial - give or take a year or two.
 
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