A QUAKER FUNERAL, LIVERPOOL, 1774. |
The request for records of Victorian funeral customs
has recalled to me the following account of a Quaker funeral at
Liverpool, in 1774. It is taken from the diary of Jonathan Binns, MD,
1747-1812, my great-grandfather. |
July 16. Was at the Funeral of Sarah
Chorley, late wife of Jno Chorley Mercnt in Liverpl
to which there was a general invitation of Friends given at the week day
Meeting before & a particular invitation on Cards sent along with white
Gloves to the Friends with whom they were more particularly acquainted;
as also to a few Gentlemen of their particular acquaintance; & to all
the Ladies that she had visited since she came to town: the form of
invitation was as follows. |
"Doctor Binns' attendance is desired to |
the funeral of Sarah Chorley tomorrow at |
2 o'clock to go out at 3. |
July 15, 1774." |
The Uncles aunts & nearer relations not only
of the deceased but also of Jno Chorley's sat in the room
where the Corps lay; the Cousins & the BEARERS in another room upstairs;
the Ladies in another; all the Friends (except relations or Bearers) in
the large Parlour; and the Gentlemen were in a room at their neighbour
Savages..... |
When all were served first with Negus in a
Silver Tankard; then with red & white Wine in Glassed the Coffin was
closed up a few minutes after the hour appointed for going out, & was
brought down by men & by them put into a mourning Hearse, the Plumes, &
Bobs upon the horses heads being first taken off. |
The procession from their house in Hanover
Street, to our Meeting house & Burial Ground was as follows. |
The Men invited to the funeral went first
without order; next the Eight Women Bearers drest in long Hoods & light
drab Gowns went two & two: after them the Hearse containing the Corps
drawn by two black Horses; the driver had no black Cloaths but no Cloak
as is customary; next to this Jno Chorley, his late Wife's
Mother & one of her Sisters, then another Chariot with the other Sister
& two other aged female relations who cou'd not very well walk. |
The rest of the relations followed on foot,
& after them the Women drove up the rear. |
The streets were lined with a great number
of spectators, & it was with great difficulty that we got to the Meeting
house Doors, as they were kept shut, to prevent the rabble from filling
the Meeting house before those that were invited got it: on which acct
the astonishing crowd which had collected together on the occasion
cou'd not easily recede to make way by reason of the narrowness of the
street, & others pressing down at the other end; at length with some
difficulty & danger of driving over people, but without any hurt (so far
as I cou'd learn) the Hearse got just past the doors, the Corps was
taken out & carried into the Meeting house under hand by the Eight
bearers by towels passed thro' the handles affixed to the sides & ends
of the Coffin which was made of fine Mahogany, with the Initials of her
name and her age in brass nails upon the lid. Four or more Friends stood
at the doors to keep out rude people. |
Two stranger public Frds were
invited & came viz Margt Raine from Crawshaybth & Sarah
Taylor frm Manchester. they were at Lancaster on acct
of the Quarterly Meetg when the News got there of S Chorley's
death; they therefore came directly thence. |
After sitting in Meeting abt 2
hours & something having been said by my Father & Sarah Taylor it was
broke up & the bearers then took up the Corps & bore it to the side of
the Grave when (after a few minutes stillness) it was let down & covered
up. Then the relations & others withdrew, some of the nearest related
returned in carriages to JC's there were likewise Coaches order'd for
the Bearers who accompanied them: and thus ended this truly solemn
solemnity. |
NB A Dinner was ordered for thirty people
(at Banner's the Goldn Fleece in Dale st) that were to come
at a distance; tho several came yet only six dined there. |
GEORGE J BINNS. |
NOTES & QUERIES, 27th AUGUST 1932
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