The Society of Friends (Quaker) acquired land for a burial ground in 1721, coinciding with their expansion in Bridgwater, including the construction of the Friarn Street Meeting House in 1722. The original lease described a plot of 566 square yards on what is now Albert Street, formerly Roper’s Lane. Records suggest 74 known burials, though many likely went unrecorded in the 18th century. The first burial, of William Alloway, occurred in December 1721. The last known burial, for Mary Stanley, wife of Nehemiah Stanley, was in January 1917.
The Wesleyan Methodist Burial Ground, was formally established in 1835 when the congregation, led by stonemason William Loton, purchased land adjoining the Society of Friends’ burial ground. However, burials had been occurring before this, some as early as 1830. Covering 529 square yards, the ground included nine brick family vaults. Burial rules, set in 1833 and revised in 1857, restricted burials to congregation members or regular attendees, with uniform fees and restrictions on monument height. Additional rules allowed family burials under certain conditions. Incomplete records suggest approximately 300 burials occurred between 1831 and 1912, though known records account for only 142 by 1879, the burial register after this is lost. The burial ground eventually filled, leading to disuse.
In 1934, the Borough Council took over the Quaker burial ground, agreeing to plant trees, re-erect monuments, and maintain the land as open space, using part of it for road widening. By 1941, the site had become derelict, leading to public complaints and vandalism. The Wesleyan burial ground was transferred to Bridgwater Borough Council that year. Eventually, all the memorials were consolidated in one corner. In 1960, the council invested in landscaping, adding walls, gates, and railings.
A complete list of known burials for both sides is available through the Friends of the Wembdon Road Cemetery.
Plaque Unveiling 2 July 2023
Pictures kindly supplied by Brian Bateman.
The plaque was unveiled by representatives of the Society of Friends and the Bridgwater Methodists.
