Words & Photos: Mark Stevenson
I took these pics a few years ago. They are in the disused graveyard at the side of the Unicorn Pub in Bramley Village.
The graveyard was once part of St Margaret’s Church, which I think once that stood nearby. The gravestones date from the 1700s.
One in particular stands out and that is the grave of Joseph Shires, who died aged 36. In 1762 he was buried alongside four of his children.
It makes me wonder did they all die at the same time and how many children was his wife left to bring up on her own or had she lost them all?
For more on West Leeds’ history, check out our weekly Mark’s History column here.
joseph shires born 1736 passed away 1762
isabel passed 25 january 1758 born 19 november 1753 age 5 fever
andrew passed 23 september 1761 born16 december 1759 age 3 small pox
james passed 16 september 1761 born 21 december 1755 age 6 small pox
joseph passed 8 september 1762 born 30 march 1752 age 10 fever
as for the mother i will keep looking