Catalogue description Folios 40-149. To: The General Board of Health. From: William Lee, Superintending...

Folios 40-149.

To: The General Board of Health.

From: William Lee, Superintending Inspector, The General Board of Health.

Report upon an inquiry as to the state of the burial grounds in the township of Huddersfield [Yorkshire]. Lee concludes that the state of many of the burial grounds in the township of Huddersfield is 'highly dangerous to the health of persons living in the same neighbourhoods, and inconsistent with decency and morality'. He states that it is expedient, for the protection of the public health, that internments should be wholly prohibited in the ground attached to Highfield Chapel, the Roman Catholic Chapel, and in the basement story of Queen-Street Chapel. In the case of Queen-Street Chapel he notes that it was found that in several instances 'the expansive power of the gases resulting from decomposition had not only burst the cement joints of the flagstones forming the cases around the coffins, but in one instance the stone itself had burst'. James Clarke, a Surgeon from Huddersfield is cited in Lee's report, explaining that 'a very large proportion of the human body becomes gaseous in the process of decomposition' and that 'the gas cannot remain in vaults any more than it can in lead or other coffins'. He adds that 'it must and will escape; and, if there be no other outlet, will find its way into the body of the church or chapel'. Lee proceeds to set out a series of suggestions for the formation and better management of cemeteries at Huddersfield and recommends that a scheme be framed for parochial internment in the town and submitted to parliament with as little delay as possible.

Lee's report includes an appendix of further evidence including various statistical tables, particulars and answers to queries submitted by the General Board of Health, all relative to the state of particular burial grounds attached to specific churches and chapels within Huddersfield.