Kingston

Excavations in a Quaker burial ground at Kingston-upon-Thames uncovered the remains of 360 individuals buried between 1664 and 1814. The archaeological evidence suggests that the simplicity and plainness of Quaker lifestyle were to a large extent reflected in burial. It appears the Quakers chose to furnish their coffins plainly, employing cabinetmakers rather than undertakers, although this may reflect reflects locally available stock rather than personal choice. The burial ground did, however, included sixteen lead coffins, some with evidence of triple-shell construction and decoration. Nine lead coffins were recovered from a burial vault belonging to the wealthy Barnard family , the construction of which ran contrary to Quaker Rules of Discipline.

The results from the excavation were studied alongside extensive historical records to provide an insight into burial rites and undertaking practices of an early Nonconformist community. The earliest records available date from 1664 and include birth, marriage and death registers, as well as the Quaker Transcripts and Minutes of the Men’s Monthly meetings. As a result, the documented development of the burial ground including both expansion and maintenance could be compared with the archaeological evidence. The combination of data from the birth, marriage and death registers with the biographical information displayed on some coffins (Plate 2), resulted in the identification of a number of individuals.

Several interesting burials were recorded during the excavation. These include Anna Barnard, the last member of the family to be interred within the vault, and whose body appears to have been removed by body snatchers or ‘Ressurrectionists’. One lead coffin contained four deliberately placed walnuts, thought to be symbolic, and a single grave contained the remains of two individuals who appear to have been involved in a bizarre fatal accident. The head of one individual is missing, replaced with a near spherical deposit of ash and burnt debris. The skeleton of the second individual is missing above the upper torso and covered with a spread of ash and debris containing burnt human bone.

Detailed osteological analyses were undertaken and the results of these indicated a generally healthy, thriving community. A number of individual case studies, with specific pathological conditions were also present, including an adult male with venereal syphilis. At the time of excavation he presented one of the most advanced levels of skeletal change caused by the disease yet recovered from the archaeological record.