Brookfield Burials at Walton Church

[Blue70]

Does anyone know about the condition of Walton churchyard? I've read that it's in a poor state. Would I be able to find gravestones for the following couple. Robert was originally a farmer in later years the family had the Peacock Tavern in Park Road:-

Burial: 20 Sep 1801
St Mary, Walton on the Hill, Lancashire, England
Robert Brookfield - Son of James Brookfield & Cathe.? (formerly Caldwell)
Died: 17 Sep 1801
Age: 60
Abode: Toxteth Park
Cause of Death: Fever
Where Buried: ChYard
Register: Burials 1790 - 1812,
Page 55, Entry 2
Source: LDS Film 1647560

Burial: 28 Aug 1840
St Mary, Walton on the Hill, Lancashire, England
Esther Brookfield
Died: 25 Aug 1840
Age: 89
Abode: Toxteth Park
Cause of Death: Decay of Nature


Blue

[MaryA]

I have looked around and it isn't in a good state, many of the graves are very overgrown and some of the headstones either broken or laid down, and I believe the gates are closed for much of the time to prevent further vandalism, open for services or sometimes by arrangement. There is however a group called the Friends of Walton Church who may be able to assist contact details are here http://waltonteamministry.com/friendsofchurchyard.html Let us know if you have any luck, fingers crossed.

[Blue70]

Thanks Mary I didn't know the gates were closed that's saved me a wasted journey up there. I'll try to make contact with the friends they might know if anything has survived for these Brookfields.


Blue

[MaryA]

Also keep an eye out for their "Open Day", the graveyard was open to access then as was the Schoolhouse next door with various documents and books available to see, but I do think it was later in the year, I think it was about September 2011 that I last visited and took photographs of some of the pew lists.

[erika]

Hi Blue

I visited St Mary's church back in 2006 as I have relatives buried there. It is as Mary says in very bad condition outside, but I was lucky the day I was there as a man was there doing some painting and I went inside. I have some lovely photos of the interior of the church if you are interested.
Hope you have some luck with the friends, I may contact them too as I was unable to find my relatives in the graveyard!

[Blue70]

Hi Erika,

I'll let you know if I get a response. I have a few ancestors married at the church the Brookfields are the only ones known to be buried there. They were an old Catholic family so used both C of E and RC churches. Baptisms always RC, marriages usually C of E or sometimes both and burials could be either.


Blue