Monument record 1634/2 - Plague Victims' Graves near Browside Farm

<1> Earwaker, J P, 1877-1880, East Cheshire Past & Present, Vol.II p.314 (Book). SCH1080.

'Near here [Bowstones Farm] are several gravestones, placed there in 1646, probably in memory of those who died of the plague...'

<2> Marshall S, 1967, Disley Ancient and Modern, p.23-5 (Book). SCH1054.

'...the Hampson family, whose graves and gravestones are in a field above Browside Farm, on the Kettlehulme road. One stone records that "John Hampson, his wife and three children left this life 1646", and on the other where "Elizabeth Hampson" - perhaps the grandmother? - is buried, are the lines: "THINK NOT STRANGE EOUR BONES LY HERE THINE MAY LY THOU KNOWEST NOT WHERE"...’

<3> Beamont W, 1876, History of the House of Lyme, p.124 (Book). SCH1446.

‘...we know that the plague itself either then or at a little later period visited the neighbourhood of Lyme more than once, as the gravestones to be seen on the wild hills above the house plainly show. On one of these we read: Think it not strange our bones lie here; Thine may lie thou know'st not where. Elizabeth Hampson. While another has upon it John Hampson and his wife and three children lost their life! 1646.’

<4> Various, Various, Oral communication to the HER, Edwards R 07/05/2013 (Oral Communication). SCH2330.

Previously these graves had been located with the graves at Bowstones Farm.

<5> Ordnance Survey, 1871-1882, Ordnance Survey County Series (Epoch 1) 25 inch to 1 mile - Cheshire (Maps and Plans). SCH2462.

The two graves are clearly depicted.

<6> Bluesky International Ltd, 2010, 2010 Bluesky Survey (Aerial Photograph). SCH5444.

The gravestones are just visible.