Elizabeth Walton passed away on the 13th January 1886 aged 55, her funeral taking place on the 16th, becoming the first internment in Swinton Cemetery. The significance of her burial was marked with a headstone four months later. Elizabeth is buried alongside her husband Joseph and daughters Elizabeth Ann and Susannah. A Non - Conformist burial plot grave number 794 to the right hand side of the main path a short distance from the lodge house.
As a Methodist family they worshipped at the Victoria Weslyan Methodist Church which at the time stood on the then called Moss Lane ( renamed Mossfield Road), it opened the doors to a congregation in 1850
( it moved to a new building a stones throw away on Bolton Road in 1903), the family began to worship there after their marriage with the baptisms of their growing family. Unfortunately the church did not have a burial ground, two of their children who died in infancy were buried in Ringley village in the parish church burial ground, presumably there was a family grave available to them.
( it moved to a new building a stones throw away on Bolton Road in 1903), the family began to worship there after their marriage with the baptisms of their growing family. Unfortunately the church did not have a burial ground, two of their children who died in infancy were buried in Ringley village in the parish church burial ground, presumably there was a family grave available to them.
The red square on the above map marks the original location of the Victoria Weslyan Methodist Church,
Moss Lane (as it was then known), Pendlebury.
Moss Lane (as it was then known), Pendlebury.
Daughter Susannah's baptism at the Victoria Weslyan Methodist Church
A person no matter their religion was permitted to be buried within the parish they lived, though up until the Burial Laws Amendment Act of 1880 only a Church Of England minister could provide the service, it was a case of a C of E service or burial with no service. Even after this date there is evidence to suggest that numerous churches with burial grounds ignored the new act. One notable rebelliousness of the old laws made the local news, a minister from Holy Rood church officiated over a burial at St Peters of a Methodist and read prayers from the Methodist prayer book, no doubt he landed himself in a little bother for his kindness. The opening of the new municipal cemeteries around the country enabled all religions to have a minister of their choosing to perform the burial service. As many churches at this time other than the Church Of England did not have burial grounds it is not surprising the first burial in Swinton Cemetery was Methodist or as a non-Church Of England religion also known as Non-Conformist.
Elizabeth Needham married Joseph Walton on 26th December 1853, their wedding took place at St Peters Church, Swinton, as shown on the marriage certificate below.
Elizabeth Needham married Joseph Walton on 26th December 1853, their wedding took place at St Peters Church, Swinton, as shown on the marriage certificate below.
The move to a methodist church came with the arrival of their children. Their first born John a honeymoon baby was born in October 1854 and baptised at the Victoria Weslyan Methodist church shortly before his parents first wedding anniversary. The couple had eight children and lived at various addresses in Swinton and Pendlebury including 65 Wellington Road, Swinton.
All research © Susan Tydd
For viewing only, do not copy without permission.
Salford City Council Bereavement Services
Images courtesy of Salford Local History Library.
Manchester Guardian
Deceased online
For viewing only, do not copy without permission.
Salford City Council Bereavement Services
Images courtesy of Salford Local History Library.
Manchester Guardian
Deceased online