Catalogue description South Metropolitan Cemetery Company (West Norwood Cemetery)

This record is held by Lambeth Archives

Details of IV/100
Reference: IV/100
Title: South Metropolitan Cemetery Company (West Norwood Cemetery)
Description:

1V/100/1-43 Sexton books (burials), 1837-1936

 

IV/100/44-44A Cremations, 1915-1935

 

IV/100/45-50 Financial records, 1935-1938

 

IV/100/51-90 Burial registers, 1837-1961

 

IV/100/91-93 Correspondence 1934-1936

 

IV/100/AD/1/ - 8/ Business records 1837-1965

 

(See separate contents list below)

 

IV/100/AD2/1-3 Statement as to re-used graves, 2000

 

IV/100/AD3/1-6 Cemetery managers' minutes 1864-1915

 

IV/100/AD3/7 Share transfers 1886-1915

 

IV/100/AD3/8 Gravediggers' note book 1837-1854

 

IV/100/AD3/9 Cremations 1955-1963

 

The Company was incorporated in 1836, an Act of Parliament (6 + 7 William IV c. 136) having authorised the opening of a cemetary within 10 miles of London and the saving of £75,000. 41 acres (only half the amount which they were authorised to purchase), lying in the Manor of Lambeth and formerly part of Lord Thurlow's estate, were bought and enfranchised, and the cemetery was opened in 1837. The Bishop of Winchester performed the consecration on 7th December.

 

William (later Sir William) Tate, the Company's Surveyor, designed two chapels, one for Dissenters and one for the Church of England. He also designed the original lodge. None of this work now survives. The lodge was rebuilt in 1936, and the two chapels (and rebuilt lodge) suffered bomb damage during World War II. The Episcopal Chapel was demolished in 1960.

 

In 1842 the Greek Community in London bought some land in the cemetery, and in 1872 further land was bought for the erection of a chapel. The parish of St. Mary-at-Hill in the City of London also bought a plot, in 1847.

 

The cemetery was taken over by the London Borough of Lambeth in 1966.

Date: 1837-1963
Held by: Lambeth Archives, not available at The National Archives
Language: English
Creator:

South Metropolitan Cemetery Company

Physical description: 4 Series
Access conditions:

Items marked UFP are too fragile to be produced. In the case of the sexton's books, the information will largely be found duplicated in the main series of burial registers, although some items relating to transfer of bodies may be in one series only. The receipts (items IV/100/47-49) were selected from 18 volumes of receipts which were transferred, as they were in the best condition, and the others needed more repair than their contents warranted.

Immediate source of acquisition:

Acc. P73470

Subjects:
  • West Norwood Cemetery
Link to NRA Record:

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