Approx. time 1 - 1½ hours Lord Mayors Trail No 1 · 2020-06-05 · York Cemetery - Lord Mayors 1...

York Cemetery - Lord Mayors 1 Trail (Jan 2017)A.docx 1

INTRODUCTIONToday's Trail will take you on an interesting walk around the Northern Section of the Cemetery visiting 22 of the 52 Lord Mayors of York, serving a total of 75 years in Office, buried in the Cemetery.

This trail complements our other Trail - 'Lord Mayors Trail 2' which visits a further 21 Lord Mayors buried in the Southern Section of the Cemetery.

THE REGALIA & OFFICE of LORD MAYOR

In 1212 King John gave York men the right to collect

their own taxes, hold courts and generally conduct their own affairs. In return he was given a present of £200, three riding horses and an agreement that the City would pay considerably increased taxes.

Within a year of these events the citizens of York elected their first Mayor and achieved a civic independence. This was to be enshrined in a Charter

in 1256 which decreed that no royal sheriff or bailiff should 'meddle within the liberty of the city'.

Nevertheless its self-governing status was occasionally lost for some offence against the Crown; in 1280-82 for altering a Royal Charter, 1292-7 for failing to pay its taxes, and in 1405-6 for its support of Archbishop Richard Scrope.

Shortly before this latter event, however, Richard II, seeking popular support, is said to have given his sword to be borne thenceforth point upwards before the Mayor, who was to be elevated to the status of Lord Mayor. Tradition also has it that Richard presented the City with its first mace and cap of

maintenance, items of Civic regalia which, together with the sword, albeit later replacements of the originals, are still to this day carried before the Lord Mayor in Civic processions

There is little doubt about the gifts of the sword, mace and cap but the title of Lord Mayor seems to

have been assumed by gradual usage over the

following centuries. While the girdlers petitioned the first citizen in 1417 as 'oure worschipfull lord the maire of this citie' he was generally addressed at this time as 'ye maire'. The designation of 'my lord the mayor' appears in Corporation minutes at the end of this century but it was not until the first half of the sixteenth that the title of Lord Mayor begins to

achieve the respectability of more or less regular use. A similar evolutionary process seems to have occurred in London.

By the nineteenth century the pre-nominal designation was firmly established and shared only with London and the Lord Provosts in Edinburgh and Glasgow, thus giving York an important position

amongst the principal cities of the United Kingdom. While there are now more cities with Lord Mayors, there are only four entitled to use the honorific of Right Honourable during their year of office: London and York, by long standing tradition and two very recent members of the club, Belfast (1929) and

Cardiff, (1956).

Today the Lord Mayor chairs meetings of full Council and together with the Sheriff, represents the City on ceremonial occasions, welcomes international visitors and attends events organised by local people and community groups.

THE TRAIL

!! FOR YOUR OWN SAFETY PLEASE KEEP TO THE PATHS !!

At the cemetery entrance follow the tarmac road to the Chapel and turn left down the slope. Midway along this path and at the cross-path (Compass set in the path) turn right. Follow this path to just before the 'T' junction.

On your right amongst the cotoneaster is the pink obelisk monument to John Colburn

1. John Colburn (1826-1877)

John, baptised at St Olave's Marygate, was a Pawnbroker, Silversmith and Retail Jeweller trading at 13/14 Lower Ousegate (corner of Church Lane). He resided at the Mount.

He died on 17 May 1877, aged51, in Boulogne-sur-Mer on his way home from convalescing in the south of France. He left Effects of under £25,000.

Liberal Councillor (Micklegate Ward) 1860

Alderman 1865-1877 Lord Mayor 1869-70

Friends of York Cemetery

Lord Mayors Trail No 1 One of a series of trails to enhance your enjoyment of the Cemetery

Best enjoyed: All Year Round

Approx. time 1 - 1½ hours

Registered Charity No. 701091


Turn right at the 'T' junction and follow the curving

path to exit at the far side of the Centre Circle. Follow this exit path and turn right at the cross junction. Ahead. Just before the 'T' junction note the chest tomb on your right. Behind this tomb is the grey and white obelisk monument to William Richardson

2. William Richardson (1797-1873)

Conservative Councillor before the

Municipal Corporations Reform Act 1835


William was a Senior Partner in the firm of Richardson, Gutch,

Richardson & Cowling of Blake Street.

As well as being a Director of York Savings Bank and York

City & County Bank he was an early associate of George Hudson, the Railway King, in his enterprises.

He died on 24 August 1873, aged 76, at Canterbury while convalescing. He left Effects of under £140,000.

Ahead and turn left before the steps onto the curving

path. Follow the curving path and stop immediately before the cross junction. On your left is the stone cross monument to Joseph Sykes Rymer

3. Sir Joseph Sykes Rymer (1841-1923)

Councillor (Monk Ward) 1867-1885

Alderman 1885-1917 Sheriff of York 1882-3

Honorary Freeman of York 1914 Lord Mayor 1887-8, 1899-1900,

1907-8 and 1912-13

Sir Joseph served on the

Council for almost 53 years. He was a coal, lime and sand merchant on Monk Bridge, a business founded by his grandfather, Peter, in 1811, which he inherited in 1859.

He was both a prominent Methodist as Senior Chapel

Steward and Senior Circuit Steward of Centenary Chapel. He was also a prominent Freemason at York Lodge as Worshipful Master 1882, Provincial Grand Registrar 1884 and Provincial Grand Senior Warden 1900.

He was Chairman of Wharfedale Coal Company, Castleford and York Glass Company. He was also

Governor of the Merchant Adventurers of York, 1900-1901 and a Director of York Waterworks.

On 9 February 1901 he was knighted by King Edward VII in his Coronation honours.

His son, Edwin John Leetham Rymer was Lord Mayor

in 1928 and is buried elsewhere in the Cemetery.

He died on 18 February 1923, aged 82, leaving Effects of £266,881 13s 1d.

To commemorate his Honorary Freedom in 1914 Sir Joseph presented the City with an undress jewel to be worn by the Lord Mayor for the time being on

informal occasions. It was designed and executed by

Alderman J.B. Inglis, Jeweller of Coney Street, and contains a representation of the Rymer Arms below those of the City of York.

These arms were first noted in 1770 being used by the Rimmer family of Warrington and appear to have been assumed by Sir Joseph Rymer without authority

from the College of Arms. His action was described by T.P. Cooper, a local expert on heraldry, as 'an egregious blunder'. He also thought the jewel was 'garish frippery' and 'an unofficial bauble .... adorned with bogus armorial bearings'. Despite his outraged feelings his protests fell on deaf ears. The more recent display of these arms in the Minster has now

given them some additional respectability.

Turn left at the cross junction. Within a few paces and on your left at the foot of the Rymer monument is the large cross monument to William Wilkinson Wilberforce

4. William Wilkinson Wilberforce (1828-1895)

Liberal Councillor

Alderman 1879-1883 Lord Mayor January 1880 following

death in Office of Thomas S Watkinson

William became Lord Mayor in January 1880 following the death, in Office, of Thomas

Samuel Watkinson who was the Lord Mayor for 1879-80.

William was Articled to the well known Architect, George Townsend Andrews. Then, after farming at Stockton on Forest, he joined the family chicory business in Walmgate.

He was Director of United Gas Company, York City & County Bank and York Tramway Company.

He was Warden of the Walmgate Ward Strays being succeeded on his death by Lancelot Foster (see Lord

Mayors Trail 2)

He died on 28 April 1895, aged 67, leaving Effects of £62,805 11s 7d.

On the other side of the path and to the left of the black monument to Ethel May Atkinson is the twin plot of chest tombs to James Meek

5. Sir James Meek Jnr. (1816-1891)

Sir James was the third of three James Meeks who are important in the

history of York.

He went up to Cambridge in 1837 but left to join his

father's business

interest as Currier (dresser & colourer of tanned leather) and Glass-maker in Goodramgate.

Liberal Councillor Bootham Ward

1849-1853 Alderman 1853

Lord Mayor 1855-6, 1865-7, 1866-7

Continued overleaf


Sir James Meek Jnr. (1816-1891) continued

He was a Wesleyan Methodist becoming a Primitive Methodist in 1853 and an active member of Little Stonegate Chapel.He was instrumental in establishing the former Elmfield College off Malton Road and was Chairman York City and County Bank, Governor of Bootham Asylum and Treasurer of York Mission.

He was also a prominent Freemason at York Lodge as

Worshipful Master 1864 and Major Commandant of the 1st West Yorkshire Rifle Volunteers.

In 1869 he was knighted, somewhat belatedly, for his hospitality to the Prince and Princess of Wales on their visit to York in August 1866 when they attended the Yorkshire Fine Art and Industrial Exhibition in the grounds of Bootham Park Hospital, the annual show

of the Yorkshire Agricultural Society and the Great Volunteer Review of 21,000 troops, both on the Knavesmire.

He died in 1891 aged 75 leaving a Personal Estate of £16,714 19s 6d having spent his final 5 years living in Cheltenham.

His youngest daughter, Phoebe, is buried in the adjacent grave.

His father, James (1790-1862), is buried under the Cemetery Chapel Portico. He had previously been Sheriff of York (1827), Alderman (1835-1862) and Lord Mayor (1836, 1848-9 & 1850-1) laying the

foundation stone of the Cemetery Chapel during his

first term as Lord Mayor.

Both James lived at Middlethorpe Hall.

Ahead for 6 graves on the right side of the path. Behind the leaning monument to the Payne family is the chest tomb monument to John Wood

!! DO NOT LEAVE THE PATH !!

6. John Wood (1798-1875)

John was a Solicitor with a Practice at 13 Pavement (Now Marks & Spencer)

and was Coroner for Yorkshire for over

50 years until 1853.

He was an original Director of the Yorkshire Insurance Company. On retiring in 1868 his two sons continued

his Practice.

Councillor (Monk Ward before the

Municipal Corporations Reform Act 1835)


He died on 30 August 1875, aged 77, leaving Effects of under £35,000.

Ahead. Just before the dominant tree on your left is

the monument to Sir Joseph Terry

7. Sir Joseph Terry (1828-1898)

Conservative Councillor (Monk Ward)

1860 Alderman 1874 until his death in

1898, aged 70 Sheriff of York 1869-70 Freedom of York 1850

Lord Mayor 1874-5, 1885-6, 1886-7, 1891 (this term of office was for

only two months following the death of Philip Matthews)

In 1824 his father, also Joseph, became a Partner in Robert

Berry & Co, Confectioners (originally Bayldon and Berry, founded in 1767) and renamed the firm Joseph Terry & Co in October 1826.

Sir Joseph is widely seen as the driving force behind

the success of the confectionery company Terry's through the expansion of business operations through the use of the Humber Estuary to import essential commodities such as sugar and cocoa. Later in his career, he would oversee the company's transition and specialisation into a Chocolatiers.

He was educated at St Peter's School and followed his father as head of the firm in 1850. He registered the trademark 'Joseph Terry's & Sons' in 1876, which, under his chairmanship was incorporated as 'Joseph Terry & Sons Ltd' in 1895.

He was a committed Freemason and adopted a

philanthropic and active approach to the issues of

Victorian York. He was Trustee of York Charities, Chairman Grand Yorkshire Gala Committee, Vice-chairman and Director of York Fine Art and Industrial Institution, Chairman York Conservative Association, Director of the New York Waterworks Company, Governor of the York Merchant Adventurer's Company 1881/2 and Chairman of the York Merchant

Adventurer's.

He further assisted in the duties of the York Cricket Club, promoting their move to Bootham Crescent in 1881, whilst concurrently serving on advisory panels for both the County Lunatic Asylum and the local Sunday School Committee.

In 1887 he was appointed Justice of the Peace for the City of York and the North Riding of Yorkshire.

He was knighted on 6 August 1887 in the Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee Honours.

To commemorate his knighthood he obtained a grant of arms from the College of Arms, putting him in a probable unique position amongst his fellow Lord

Mayors, who chose to get their coats of arms by unofficial means. A good example of his armorial bearings can be seen in Skeldergate on the alms house cottages erected in 1899 as a memorial to him.

He died of heart failure, induced by over-exertion, at

the Royal Station Hotel on 12 January 1898, aged 70, after attempting to win a by-election to become

Member of Parliament for the City of York.

He left Effects of £38,959 10s 2d.


Ahead. A short distance before the steps and on your

right set back from the path in the undergrowth is the pink obelisk monument to Ralph Weatherley


8. Ralph Weatherley (1817-1879)

Liberal Councillor (Bootham Ward)

1856 Alderman 1865 until his death in

1879 Sheriff 1863-4

Lord Mayor 1867-8

Ralph was a Freemason and Partner in the firm of Weatherley and Rymer, a considerable

Building Contractor employing

over 150 tradesmen, labourers and boys.

In 1850 the firm was located in St Leonard's Place adjacent to Bootham Bar, premises formerly occupied

by John Tilney.

Their works included the restoration of Heslington Hall, the building of St George's and St Wilfrid's RC Churches, Poor Clares Convent, Lawrence Street and Darlington Bank Top (Main Line) Station.

In 1866 Ralph retired from the business in favour of his brother, Robert, and Peter Rymer.

He died on 26 June 1879, aged 62, in Scarborough

leaving Effects of under £14,000

Ahead down the steps

!! TAKE CARE ON THE STEPS !!

Turn right and follow the curving path. Midway along this path and on the left is the grey monument to

Samuel Border

9. Samuel Border (1849-1911)


1881-4 Sheriff of York 1887-8

Alderman 1895 until his death in 1911

Lord Mayor 1898-9, Feb 1907 (this term of office was occasioned by

the death in office of William Bentley)

Samuel was born in Newton Abbott and by 1871 was living and working with his uncle, John Winn, a grocer in Coney

Street. He became a Partner in the business in 1874 (Winn & Border) and sole owner on his uncle's death.

He was a prominent Freemason at York Lodge as Worshipful Master 1889 and Provincial Grand Registrar 1890.

He was a Governor of the York Merchant Adventurer's Company 1892-4, Governor of Bootham Park Hospital,

Director of York United Gas Company 1902, Chairman of the Grand Yorkshire Gala 1906 and York Pageant 1909.

He died on 16 June 1911, aged 62, while

convalescing in Devonport leaving Effects of £30,806 18s 6d. His body was brought back to York for burial by the Great Western Railway Co. who charged 1s 0d a mile for carriage, a total of £17 14s 0d. Altogether his funeral cost £60 14s 1d including 2 guineas for tolling Great Peter at the Minster.

Ahead on the curving path and turn left at the cross junction. Ahead toward the brick wall. Toward the end of this path and on your right is the dominant monument to James Melrose

10. James Melrose (1828-1929)


1869 Alderman 1875-1886 upon retirement from the Council

Lord Mayor 1876-7

James "Jimmy" Melrose known

as 'The Grand Old Man of York' was born on 5 August 1828 into a family of Fell-mongers (sheepskin dealers) who had migrated to York from Traquair in Peebleshire in the middle of

the 17th Century.

Eschewing the noisome family trade he became a Land Agent, one of his Projects being the draining of the Knavesmire to make it suitable for horse racing.

Shortly after his marriage to Elizabeth Stephenson in 1858 he joined his father-in-law in his brewing business in Beverley. However, he returned to York in 1861 to become a Partner with John Roper who had

breweries in St Sampson's Square and Walmgate.

On Roper's death in 1875 not only did Jimmy inherit the breweries but the bachelor Roper also bequeathed him a large house in Clifton, Clifton Croft, where he was to live for upwards of 50 years until his death.

His voluntary positions included Treasurer of York County Hospital and Yorkshire School for the Blind.

He was a Freemason for over 75 years.

On his 100th birthday he had a ceremony of thanksgiving at St Lawrence's which was the church he was baptised in.

He died on 4 February 1929, leaving Effects of

£168,154 6s, and was accorded a funeral in the Minster where he had been a regular worshipper for many years.

His name is still perpetuated in several ways, notably the long suburban road of Melrosegate and the Melrose Stand at the racecourse opened in 1989 which commemorates his 50 years service as

Chairman of the York Race Committee from 1875

until 1925 just three years before his death.

Ahead and turn right at the 'T' junction. Ahead up the slope to Belle Vue Gate on your left. Ahead to D Sharrat War Grave. Right to GT Lapping War Grave. In front of Lapping's monument is the unmarked

Pulleyn family grave.


11. Reg Pulleyn (1928-2015)

Labour Councillor (Holgate Ward) 1962-8

Labour Councillor (Beckfield Ward) 1970-1978 & 1984-1992 Honorary Alderman 1993 Sheriff of York 1874, 1995

Lord Mayor 1988-9

Reg was born in the Groves, York and joined British

Railways as a Signalman at the age of 16. He worked in a number of signal boxes in the area before moving to York Station Signal Box. He retired in 1989 after a 46 year career as a Signalman.

A Trade Unionist, he was also a Labour Councillor on North Yorkshire County Council (NYCC) from 1973. He was appointed Honorary Alderman on YCC in 1993.

He greeted Queen Elizabeth II when she came to York in November 1988 following completion of the repairs to the Minster after the 1984 fire.

He was awarded the British Empire Medal in June 1976.

He died on 22 August 2015, aged 87.

Retrace your steps to the junction near the Melrose monument. Ahead parallel with the brick boundary wall. Immediately before the bench on your left is the chest tomb monument to John March

12. John March (1808-1880)

Conservative Councillor (Monk Ward) 1849

Alderman 1871 until his death in 1880 Lord Mayor 1873-4

John was Licensee of the Golden Slipper Public House

in Goodramgate.

He developed the brewing side of the business in extensive premises behind the public house leading through to Ogleforth.He was a prominent Freemason at York Lodge as Worshipful Master 1859, Provincial Grand Superintendent of Works 1859 and Provincial Senior Grand Warden 1874

He died on 26 November 1880, aged 72, leaving

Effects under £12,000.

Ahead. Pass 2 junctions on your left. Shortly after passing under the dominant Beech tree turn left. Turn left at the first cross junction. Stop after 10 paces. On your left and under the canopy of the Beech tree are

the monuments to Richard Evers, William Varey &

Sir William Stephenson Clarke


13. Richard Evers (1798-1871)

Alderman 1850 until his death in

1871 Sheriff 1848-9

Lord Mayor 1852-3, 1859-60

Richard was a tailor who was

initially apprenticed to his father and subsequently became a Partner in the firm of Evers and Anderson in Coney Street.

He was noted for his

benevolence to many charities.

He was a Director of York Gas Company and was

Master of the Merchant Tailors Company in 1835 and 1850.

On 9 October 1860 he laid the foundation stone for the ill-fated Lendal Bridge designed by William Dredge. It collapsed into the river during construction

on 27 September 1861 killing several workmen, some of whom are also buried in York Cemetery. Dredge's services were dispensed with and a new bridge, designed by Thomas Page, was erected in its stead.

Richard died on 12 May 1871, aged 72, leaving Effects of under £16,000.

His funeral service was held in York Minster and the

Great Peter bell was tolled in mourning.

14. William Varey (1833-1903)

Liberal Councillor (Micklegate Ward)

1868 Alderman 1876 - 1886 Sheriff of York 1871-2

Lord Mayor 1877-8

William, in Partnership with his brother, Thomas, was a Bacon Factor in the firm founded by

his grandfather over 100 years previously. William laid the foundation stone of Skeldergate Bridge on 12 June 1878.

He died on 23 December 1903, aged 70, leaving Effects of £3,847 15s 8d.

His brother, Thomas, is buried elsewhere in the

Cemetery but without a Memorial. He was also a Liberal Councillor for Micklegate Ward 1868, Alderman 1876 - 1886, Sheriff of York 1878-9 and Lord Mayor in 1882-3.

Thomas was Chairman of the Committee which organised the Memorial to George Leeman on Station Rise and presided at its unveiling by the Marquis of

Ripon on 13 April 1885.

He died on 24 October 1903, aged 65, leaving Effects of £310 15s


15. Sir William Stephenson Clarke (1782-1851)

Conservative Councillor (Micklegate

Ward) 1813 Alderman 1839 - 1849 Sheriff of York 1820 Lord Mayor 1839-40

Sir William was placed with

Alexander Mather, a York Surgeon, in 1798. He continued his studies in London and returned to York in 1806 as a General Practitioner.

He received his knighthood in July 1840, one of the

many honours distributed to celebrate the marriage of Queen Victoria to Albert. He died in 1851 aged 69.

His father, William Clark, had been a Sheriff of the city in 1786.

Return to the cross junction at the Santorsola monument. Ahead for a few paces to the small cross monument on your left. To your left in the vegetation

are the monuments to William Hutchenson Hearon & Sir John Simpson


16. William Hutchenson Hearon (1772-1842

Councillor before the Municipal Corporations Reform Act

1835 Alderman 1812 until his death in 1842

Sheriff of York 1808 Lord Mayor 1815, 1827

William was a Tea Dealer of Hearon and Dale in High Ousegate. He was a resident of Fulford and is the

earliest Lord Mayor to be buried in the Cemetery.

He came to office before the changes brought about by the Municipal Corporations Reform Act 1835.

In the early 19th Century there was a desire to move the cattle fairs from Walmgate, Fossgate and Petergate to a more convenient position. A number of

sites were considered. However, York Corporation chose to purchase six acres of land outside Walmgate

Bar from Alderman Hearon. The cattle market opened in 1827 and had moved to Murton by 1976.

Along with many other political leaders of this period he assumed a coat of arms which was displayed in one of the windows of the old council chamber

destroyed by bombs during the Baedeker Raid in April 1942.

He died on 01 June 1842, aged 70.

17. Sir John Simpson (1797-1854)

Liberal Councillor (Micklegate Ward) 1821

Alderman 1834 until his death in 1854 Sheriff of York 1826

Lord Mayor 1836. He was again chosen in 1847 but declined to accept the office and paid the appropriate fine (See

Appendix)

Sir John was the first Lord Mayor of York after the introduction of the reforms brought in by the Municipal Corporation Reform Act 1835.

He was a Corn Merchant in Partnership with his

brother Leonard. Their premises were at the corner of North Street and Tanner Row.

He was, for a time, a Director of the York and North Midland Railway and a Government Agent for the Distribution of Stamps.

His father had been Sheriff of York in 1807

He received his knighthood from William IV at St James Palace on 8 June 1836

He died on 20 May 1854 aged 57.

Immediately on your right is obelisk monument to Joseph Agar

18. Joseph Agar (1832-1920)

Alderman (Directly elected) 1880-1918

Lord Mayor 1881-2, 1888-9, 1889-90

The Agar family came to York from Kilburn when Joseph began his eight year apprenticeship with William Lister in 1775. On obtaining his freedom in 1783 he started his own Tannery business in High Ousegate, which was carried on subsequently by three further generations of the family, latterly as

Agar & Chadwick.

An Alderman for nearly 40 years, he laid numerous foundation stones and it is reported that when he died he had a collection of more than 70 presentation mallets and trowels.

His father, Benjamin Agar, bought Plantation House,

on the south side of the Cemetery in 1849 and

renamed it Kilburn House. It is said that when developers built houses on the land in the 1930s they had only heard of Kilburn in London, and so named the new roads after other London area such as Edgeware.

Benjamin's son, Joseph Agar II (1833-1920) took over the firm on his father's death in 1858, and was

himself succeeded by his son, also Joseph who died in 1944. Three generations, Joseph, Benjamin and Joseph II were successive trustees of York Cemetery Company from 1837 to 1944, a period of over 100 years. The third and last Agar Trustee sold a field between

Kilburn House and the Cemetery to the Cemetery Company in 1929 which is now part of Section D.

He was a prominent Methodist, a Sunday School Superintendent and a Director of York Coffee House, York Waterworks and the Wesleyan Chapel Company.


Ahead 4 paces. On your right set back from the path

and in the vegetation is the tomb monument to Henry Steward


19. Henry Steward (1817-1876)

Liberal Councillor (Micklegate Ward)

Sheriff of York 1868-9 Lord Mayor 1872-3

He was a Comb-maker in the business founded in the early

nineteenth century by his Grandfather, George Steward. In addition to horn combs the firm, located at 37 Blossom

Street, also made lantern leaves (before glass was used),

powder flasks and drinking horns.

He was a Director and Trustee of the York Permanent Building Society and Chairman of the York Regatta. A keen gardener, he was Vice-Chairman of the Ancient Society of York Florists.

The sanitary and housing conditions experienced by York citizens throughout the the 19th Century were appalling and it was during his time as Lord Mayor,

the Public Health Act 1872 was introduced. The new Urban Sanitary Authority took over the functions of the local Board of Health and the following year a

Medical Officer of Health was appointed.

On 1873 he hosted a grand banquet in the Mansion House attended by the 200 Mayors of England and

Wales . The gathering was aimed at seeking more control from Central Government over local affairs.

He died on 15 December 1876, aged 59, leaving Effects under £9,000.

Ahead on the curving path to the pink obelisk on your right. In front of this monument is the monument to John Close

20. John Close (1819-1896)

Conservative Councillor Directed

Elected Alderman 1864 - 1868 and 1883

until his death in 1896 Lord Mayor 1884-5, 1891-2, 1892-3

John was taken into Partnership by George Brown, Woollen Draper in High Ousegate in 1850 until 1868.

He was a Partner in Close, Ayre and Nicholson, Iron-founders,

Fishergate Postern and also in Partnership with William Cooper, Wine Merchant of Skeldergate. Cooper, who was is also buried in York Cemetery was Councillor for Micklegate Ward 1825, Alderman 1850-

1853, Sheriff of York 1832 and Lord Mayor 1851.

John was Secretary of the Newcastle and Darlington Railway and the York and North Midland Railway

during the chairmanship of George Hudson.

The York & North Midland had built him a house,

North Lodge. However, it was in the way of their proposed through-running station (1870s) outside the City walls. To get him to move they built him a new house, The Hollies on Tadcaster Road, in exchange. The Hollies is now the Marriott Hotel, formerly The Chase Hotel.

He was Treasurer of York County Hospital and Wilberforce School for the Blind, Governor of York Blue Coat and Grey Coat School and Director of York Union Banking Company.

He died on 14 September 1896, aged 77 leaving Effects of £126,559.

Ahead on the curving path. Stop at the small tree on

your right. On your left and in the vegetation is the monument to Edwin Wade


21. Edwin Wade (1800-1889)

Liberal Councillor (Guildhall Ward) 1856

Sheriff of York 1861 Alderman 1862 - 1874

Lord Mayor 1864-5

Edwin, the son of a tailor, was born in York, and was apprenticed to Cattle and Barber, Silversmiths.

In his early twenties he was employed by Alderman

Turner, a Dental Surgeon in Coney Street, and eventually becoming his Partner.

He was a Director York Cemetery Company 1868, Chairman York Tourists Society and Member of the Grand Yorkshire Gala and York Race Committees.

He died on 9 December 1889, aged 89 leaving a Personal Estate of £13,976 5s 7d.

Ahead to the holly tree. Turn right at the cross junction and again right with the Chapel to your left. Ahead to the North Boundary wall. Turn left and walk the length of this path. 5 headstones from the end and on your left is the stone cross monument to James Birch

22. James Birch (1856-1913)

Conservative Councillor

(Micklegate Ward) 1900 Alderman 1908 - death

Lord Mayor 1908-9, 1909-10

James Birch was born in York and was educated at Priory Street School (now a Community Centre).

He ran a Plumbing and Glazing business in Blossom Street, and was a keen sportsman. He was

a forward with the original York Rugby Club and sometime Chairman of York Cricket Club.

His position in the role of Lord Mayors is unique. He was the first to be elected to the office from amongst the ordinary Councillors since the 1835 Municipal Corporations Reform Act. (See Appendix).

He was granted Freedom of the City in 1878 and

died on 07 July 1913, aged 57, leaving Effects of £5,663.


APPENDIX 1

SELECTING THE LORD MAYOR

Prior to 1835

At the beginning of the nineteenth century the York Corporation was a 'closed' or self-electing body and

Lord Mayors were selected from the Aldermanic bench or, as has happened on a few occasions, was an influential citizen who could afford to entertain in the manner expected.

1835 - 1972

In 1835 the Municipal Corporations Reform Act was

passed. The Act established a uniform system of

Municipal Boroughs, to be governed by Town Councils elected by the ratepayers. The reformed boroughs were obliged to publish their financial accounts and were liable to audit. Each borough was to appoint a salaried Town Clerk and Treasurer who were not to be a member of the public.

The Act was designed to make Councils more efficient and democratic. In York the old two chamber system was replaced by a single body with the Aldermen and Councillors given equal status. The office of Chamberlain was abolished, and the number of Sheriffs was reduced to one.

Freemen and men owning property in the city rated

at £10 or more could vote to elect Councillors, who then selected the Aldermen and thereby the Lord Mayor. Should a candidate decline the position of Lord Mayor, a fine was payable. By 1903 this was £100, but was gradually reduced to £5 by 1932 and eventually to a nominal 5/- (25 pence).

This system of selecting the Lord Mayor from the Aldermen ensured that the Lord Mayor usually belonged to the majority party.

1972 - Present

Following the Local Government Act 1972 it was agreed to alternate the honour between the two principal parties (Conservative and Labour). But this

had to be revised in November 1979 after the re-emergence of the Liberals in civic politics.

Since then a points system based on the number of

seats held and for how long ensures that even the minority parties occasionally get a chance to nominate the Lord Mayor from amongst their members who have been councillors for at least five years. After the Mayoral election the Party's points are reduced by a sum equal to the total number of

seats on the Council.

Lord Mayor's Expenses

Prior to 1924 the Lord Mayor was required to personally fund all activities related to the office.

In November 1923 William Dobbie a Labour politician and a railwayman, born in Maybole, Ayrshire was elected as Lord Mayor, the first Labour Politician to be

elected to the position.

In January 1924 the City's Finance Committee recommended making a Grant to the Lord Mayor in connection with any function invited or authorised by the Council. In September of that year it was agreed that a Grant to meet the Lord Mayor's expenses should be made. This figure was set at a maximum of

£500 expended in any year. At that time the Town Clerk was earning £1375 per annum and the City Engineer £800 per annum.

The Mayoral Year

On 12 December 1489 Henry VII issued a new order for the election of the Lord Mayor. This required him

to be elected on the feast of St Maurus (15 January) and to take office on the feast of St Blaise (3 February).

After the implementation of the Municipal Corporations Reform Act 1835 the Lord Mayor was elected in November and took office the same day, an arrangement which applied until 1949 when mayor

making was moved to May.

Tel: 01904 610578

Email: [email protected]

www.yorkcemetery.org.uk

Regd. Charity No.

701091

Friends of York Cemetery The Cemetery Gatehouse

Cemetery Road

York YO10 5AJ


APPENDIX 2

Key: (1) Indicates Lord Mayors Trail 1, (2) Indicates Lord Mayors Trail 2

LORD MAYORS of YORK BURIED in YORK CEMETERY

Year(s) of Office

Agar, Joseph (1) 1881-2, 1888-9

1889-90

Anderson, Edward Richard (2) 1856-7

Bentley, William (2) 1906-7 (Died)

S. Border (1*)

Birch, James (1) 1908-9, 1909-10

Border, Samuel (1) 1898-9,

1906 (Part)

Brown, George 1878-9

Carter, Thomas (2) 1910-11

Chapman de Burgh, Harold (2) 1944-5

Clark, Sir Wm Stephenson (1) 1839-40

Clarke, William Fox 1861-2, 1862-3

Close, John (1) 1884-5, 1891-2,

1892-3

Colburn, John (1) 1869-70

Cooper, Henry 1851-2

Evers, Richard (1) 1852-3, 1859-60

Foster, Lancelot (2) 1901-2

Gray, Edwin (2) 1897-8, 1902-3

Gray, William (2) 1844-5

Hearson, Wm Hutchenson (1) 1815, 1827

Horsman, William (2) 1940-1

Hutchinson, Chas Th'burn (2) 1937-8

Lacey, Edward 1942-3

Leeman, George (2) 1853-4, 1860-1, 1870-1

March, John (1) 1873-4

Matterson, William 1841-2

Matthews, Philip 1890-1 (Died)

Joseph Terry (1*)

Meek, James (2) 1836-7, 1848-9, 1850-1

Meek, Sir James (Jnr) (1) 1855-6, 1865-6,

1866-7

Melrose, James (1) 1876-7

Milward, Sir Chris Annakin (2) 1895-6, 1896-7

Morris, Thomas (2) 1936-7

Oliver, Charles (2) 1953-4

Year(s) of Office

Pulleyn, Reginald (1) 1988-9

Purnell, Edward William 1900-1

Richardson, William (1) 1845-6

Rooke, Edward 1875-6

Rymer, Edwin John Leetham (2)1928-9

Rymer, Sir Joseph Sykes (1) 1887-8,

1899-1900,

1907-8, 1912-13

Seymour, George Hicks (2) 1849-50

Shaw, William Henry (2) 1935-6

Shipley, Charles William (2) 1929-30

Simpson, Sir John (1) 1836

Steward, Henry (1) 1972-3

Terry, Sir Joseph (1) 1874-5, 1885-6, 1886-7

1890 (Part)

Varey, William (1) 1877-8

Varey, Thomas 1882-3

Wade, Edwin (1) 1864-5

Walker, William (2) 1871-2

Watkinson, Thomas Samuel (2)1879-80 (Died)

W Wilberforce (1*)

Weatherley, Ralph (1) 1867-8

Wilberforce, Wm Wilkinson (1) 1879-80 (Part)

Wood, John (1) 1857-8

Wragge, Robert H Vernon (2) 1903-4, 1904-5, 1905-6, 1931-2

*Completed the Term of Office following the death of the incumbent Lord Mayor

Tel: 01904 610578



Regd. Charity No.

701091


Cemetery Road

York YO10 5AJ


APPENDIX 3

The GUILDHALL and MANSION HOUSE

The Guildhall

The medieval Guildhall was built between 1437 and 1449 as a meeting place for the smaller Trades Guilds which did not have their own halls.

The Council originally held its meetings in a building on Ouse Bridge but, after the centre arch was destroyed by a flood in 1564 it moved into St William's Chapel at the Micklegate end of the bridge.

When the medieval bridge was replaced with the present one between 1810 and 1820 the Councillors moved again to a purpose built Chamber on the downstream side of the Guildhall. In 1891 they

migrated to their present home in a new Council Chamber built on the upstream side.

One of the saddest moments of York's history was the night of 29 April 1942 when the Baedeker raid took the lives of over 94 York citizens as well as causing severe damage to many buildings in the City including the station and the Guildhall.

The Guildhall reconstruction was completed 19 years later when it was reopened in 1960 by the Queen Mother. Representatives of Munster, York's German

twin town, were present as that city had contributed to the restoration costs. Lord Mayor Albert Philipson had attended Munster's celebrations for the restoration of their 500 year old Town Hall.

The Mansion House

The Mansion House was built between the Guildhall

and St Helen's Square as a residence for Lord Mayors and their families while they were in Office and as a

place to store the Civic records. Building began in 1725, and in 1730 the first Lord Mayor moved in.

It is the oldest Mansion House in England and the only one still lived in by the Lord Mayor. With the Guildhall and Council Chamber it forms the focus of Civic activity in York.

We really hope you enjoyed this trail. Why not try another one. We hope you enjoyed this trail and that it inspired you to find out more about York Cemetery.

A trail of this kind can give only a flavour of what the Cemetery has to offer, so why not:

• Try one of our guided walks

• Become a Friend of York Cemetery

• Become a Volunteer

(Pick up a leaflet or see the website for more details)

This Trail was originally prepared by Helen Nightingale and Hugh Murray in 1994 from the original research by David Poole. It was

modified in 2017 by Dennis Shaw. Artwork by K Lea

Tel: 01904 610578



Regd. Charity No.

701091


Cemetery Road

York YO10 5AJ

Friends of York Cemetery

Lord Mayors Trail No 1 Regd. Charity No. 701091

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Approx. time 1 - 1½ hours Lord Mayors Trail No 1 · 2020-06-05 · York Cemetery - Lord Mayors 1...

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