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Buried at the Crossroads

Ashton-Under-Lyne, Metropolitan Borough of Tameside, Greater Manchester, England – *No GPS coordinates

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  • Where Ashton-under-Lyne Public Library stands, at the corner of Old Street and Oldham Road.
    Ashton-Under-Lyne, Metropolitan Borough of Tameside, Greater Manchester England

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A crossroads, now the junction of Old Street and Oldham Road, in Ashton-under-Lyne, opposite the Gallows Field, the ground was given the name of Cross Meadow (the roads made the sign of the Cross). The bodies of suicides, debarred from internment in Consecrated Ground, were buried, at the dead of night, at the crossroads, with a stake driven through the heart to prevent the restless spirit from re-inhabiting the body. In 1880 a poor girl, servant to Dr Ogden of Ashton-under-Lyne, deceived by her lover, took poison and died. At the inquest a verdict of death whilst her mind was unbalanced was given, and her body was ordered to be buried in the public highway, in unhallowed ground, at a spot where the Holy Sign (made by the crossroads) would debar her soul from walking. Twenty-three years later an Act of Parliament forbid such practices. In 1774 James Hill, landlord of the Red Lion in Droylsden, was found hanging from a tree. It was presumed he had committed suicide. He was buried at the four lanes ends near Newton Moor on 21 May. About 3.00 am on 5 June some of his Droylsden friends dug him up and interred him in the Ashton Parish Churchyard. on 16 June they were compelled to re-inter the body on Newton Moor. In time evidence arose that James Hill had actually been murdered.
A crossroads, now the junction of Old Street and Oldham Road, in Ashton-under-Lyne, opposite the Gallows Field, the ground was given the name of Cross Meadow (the roads made the sign of the Cross). The bodies of suicides, debarred from internment in Consecrated Ground, were buried, at the dead of night, at the crossroads, with a stake driven through the heart to prevent the restless spirit from re-inhabiting the body. In 1880 a poor girl, servant to Dr Ogden of Ashton-under-Lyne, deceived by her lover, took poison and died. At the inquest a verdict of death whilst her mind was unbalanced was given, and her body was ordered to be buried in the public highway, in unhallowed ground, at a spot where the Holy Sign (made by the crossroads) would debar her soul from walking. Twenty-three years later an Act of Parliament forbid such practices. In 1774 James Hill, landlord of the Red Lion in Droylsden, was found hanging from a tree. It was presumed he had committed suicide. He was buried at the four lanes ends near Newton Moor on 21 May. About 3.00 am on 5 June some of his Droylsden friends dug him up and interred him in the Ashton Parish Churchyard. on 16 June they were compelled to re-inter the body on Newton Moor. In time evidence arose that James Hill had actually been murdered.

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  • Added: 24 Sep 2018
  • Find a Grave Cemetery ID: 2673485