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Warstone Lane, Key Hill Cemetery meeting on Sunday 8th October 2023.

I remember in the early 1960's walking down Warstone Lane when the street lighting was gas lamps holding my mothers hand tight, very tight.
Gas caused shadows. I was so pleased when we reached Hingeston St.

Nick Phillips
 
yes kat..i find it very sad that he has not even got a headstone or marker


Master Printer. He first made his fortune as a headstone engraver and a varnisher before moving into printing. He invented the 'baskerville' typeface and eventually became Printer to Cambridge University. Originally he was buried upright (due to his atheism) in a conical mausoleum in the grounds of the Mill in which he lived. The Mill was later destroyed by rioters and the land disturbed by canal cutting. In 1820 his body became the property of a peepshow, but he was afterward moved to the vault of a now-demolished chapel, and today his body lies in an unmarked grave in a Birmingham cemetery
 
Astoness said:
yes kat..i find it very sad that he has not even got a headstone or marker


Master Printer. He first made his fortune as a headstone engraver and a varnisher before moving into printing. He invented the 'baskerville' typeface and eventually became Printer to Cambridge University. Originally he was buried upright (due to his atheism) in a conical mausoleum in the grounds of the Mill in which he lived. The Mill was later destroyed by rioters and the land disturbed by canal cutting. In 1820 his body became the property of a peepshow, but he was afterward moved to the vault of a now-demolished chapel, and today his body lies in an unmarked grave in a Birmingham cemetery
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He wanted to be buried in unconsecrated ground - hence his first burial in the grounds of his mill.
 
Yes, I learned of the life of Baskerville today. I was astounded to learn that in today's day and age he has no final resting place. I know he wanted to be buried in unconsecrated ground, so his burial on his own land made sense.

But with his prominence in Birmingham history as it is, it's surprising that nobody has donated the money and put their name to getting him a final resting place, preferably on non consecrated ground and buried in his desired upright position.
 
Oh there is a small wooden plaque in the corner of the chapel marker stones for Baskerville. It's difficult to get him exhumed as the vault where he remains under the chapel contains asbestos and obviously it would cost a fortune to remove.
 
Key Hill Cemetery is non-denominational so I wondered why he was not buried there?
I have read several stories about having his coffin on show as he was perfectly preserved!!
rosie.

Edit
I have just found this thread, apparently he did have a marker at Christchurch.
John Baskerville | Birmingham History Forum
 
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rosie said:
Key Hill Cemetery is non-denominational so I wondered why he was not buried there?
I have read several stories about having his coffin on show as he was perfectly preserved!!
rosie.

Edit
I have just found this thread, apparently he did have a marker at Christchurch.
John Baskerville | Birmingham History Forum
Click to expand...
hi rosie i think he wanted to be buried on his own land...think christchurch was his land but i stand to be corrected

lyn
 
Strawberry Hunter said:
It's fascinated me to think of who he is and he is just under the chapel.
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i also think it sad kat that the chapel is no longer there :( still at least we have photos of it

lyn

edit here is the chapel and i think it would be vyse st running across

1996V148.85-Birmingham-General-C.jpg
 
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No, it was such a lovely sunny day and I just took.it all in. Lovely to spend time in a place where 9 of the Strawbridges are laid to rest and learn of other burials and the history of the cemetery. It's probably the only place in Birmingham that I have been in the 80's, 90"s 00's, to the current day. I used to walk past and wonder who was buried in there!!!!!!
 
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