Details
LEEDS
SE2635 MORRIS LANE, Kirkstall
714-1/22/906 (East side (off))
Group of 5 tombs in graveyard
north-west of Church of St Stephen
GV II
2 vaults and 3 gravestones. 1831-1869. Carved stone and
ashlar, cast-iron railings. Family vaults of the
Butler/Beecroft and Hargrave families, and graves of the
Hodgson family and of Benjamin Dawson.
Grouped approx 10m north of the west door of St Stephen's
church and composed of, from west to east: Butler, Hargrave
and Hodgson against and incorporated into the graveyard
extension wall, and Dawson at the S end of Hargrave.
i) Butler/Beecroft: paired Gothic niches with hoodmoulds and
shields on 3 sides, railed enclosure to S; the niches and 8
slabs carved with names and tributes including: Thomas Butler
of Kirkstall Forge, ironmaster, d.26.07.1831 aged 58 years. He
was elected the first warden of this church of which he was a
most active and zealous promoter...also George Beecroft, 3rd
son, d.1851 aged 17 and other children buried at Headingley;
the railings, on a low wall with gate on S side, are square
section with cusped top rail and floriate finials to rails,
cup and cover finials to standards.
ii) Hargrave: large Classical carved slab at N end, railed
enclosure to S; the slab has pilasters flanking niches with
carved inscriptions, pediment over, in larger pilastered
surround with entablature, cornice and scrolled pediment with
wreaths. Inscriptions commemorate Benjamin, son of James and
Sarah Hargrave of Kirkstall, d.19.01.1833, 6 other children
who died 1833-55, James d.04.11.1852 and Sarah d.16.02.1860
aged 76; 9 other family members, the latest Kate, youngest
daughter, d.03.01.1930, aged 73. Low ashlar wall with heavy
iron railing, gate on E side: octagonal rails with leaf
finials, massive standards with acanthus-style open finials.
iii) Hodgson: 2 grave slabs against boundary wall, low moulded
ashlar wall with fine spearhead railings on 3 sides, gate
missing. Inscriptions commemorate the family of the Revd
Robert Hodgson, first incumbent of St Stephen's, and his
family, including Hobsons of Cross House in the County of
Cumberland, 1836-47.
iv) Dawson: a gabled tombstone with cross, inscription to
Benjamin Dawson of Hanover Terrace, Regents Park, London, and
of Kirkstall, d.19.04.1869; chamfered kerb with cast-iron
scrolled panels and fleur-de-lis finials supporting rail.
Listing NGR: SE2650435831
