Kingston upon Hull, England, United Kingdom — Northwestern Europe (the British Isles)
The Spring Bank West Quaker Burial Ground
Photographed by Ray Gurganus, April 15, 2025
1. The Spring Bank West Quaker Burial Ground Marker
The Quaker Burial Grounds
Quaker burial grounds are not consecrated and the grave furniture is simple. The direction of the grave is not necessarily east-west but dictated by what is practicable. The information about the deceased is simple with usually no more than basic information. The style of headstone and, if present, the grave kerb is decided by the local Quaker Meeting. Up to the late 1700s, when Hull was a walled town, there were several Quaker burial grounds outside its walls. Of the two that still exist one was initially outside the town in the parish of Sutton but now lies within the city limits. This burial ground which lies between Spyvee and Hodgson St (53°44'58.00N/0°19'36.70W) has been grassed over and nothing remains of the grave tablets properly known as the Sutton Burial Ground. The 0.2 acres of land previously owned by Anthony Wells, a Hull merchant was in use by 1650 for burials. It is likely that George Fox, the founder of the Quaker movement, met Anthony Wells in 1652, when he visited Hull. Ellen Lilforth was the first burial in 1659. This burial ground was closed for burials in 1858.
The Spring Bank West Quaker Burial Ground
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The burial ground contains 81 marked graves in which there are 146 burials as well as unmarked graves represented by gaps in the rows. The alignment of the graves is not quite east-west. There are also five tablets. These tablets set by the entrance are of interest since they were moved here from the Sutton Quaker Burial Ground. The largest of the tablets has some historical significance, its inscription says, "Here lies the body of Eliza the wife of Anto Wells Kingston upon Hull [Merch] who departed this life 28th day of the 6th month 1676" and thus one of the oldest extant gravestones in Hull.
The Nonconformists
Following Oliver Cromwell's rule the Church of England was re-established by Charles when he came to the throne in 1600. However, numerous Protestant nonconformist groups arose which did not want to conform to the Church of England's doctrines. Groups that survived from then include the Baptists, Presbyterians Congregationalists and The Religious Society of Friends (The Quakers).
The Society of Friends (Quakers)
The Quakers were founded by George Fox (1624-1691) in 1660. They believe that all share an inner light, worship in silence and speak during worship only when motivated by the spirit their beliefs led them into conflict with the authorities. For many years from 1663, when George Fox refused to take an oath of allegiance to King Charles, the Quakers were distrusted by the civic powers and were persecuted to the extent that many left Britain. William Penn who founded Pennsylvania in America was one such Quaker. Their exclusion from civic positions led them to be more dependent on their own resources than others, a factor behind their success in business.
Quakers in Business
Early on the Quakers were barred from university and thus the professions. This served to throw them onto their own resources in terms of both education and livelihood and they began developing manufacturing and service industries both nationally and internationally. Many well known companies have Quaker origins, for example, Rowntrees, Cadbury, Fry, Terry, Clarks (shoes), Lloyds and among the Hull ones, Reckitts, Priestmans and Northern Dairies.
Quakers and the Community
Their beliefs, religious history and experiences [remainder of paragraph illegible]...
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Religion & Religious Structures. In addition, it is included in the Quakerism series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1650.
Location. 53° 45.076′ N, 0° 22.072′ W. Marker is in Kingston upon Hull, England. It is on Spring Bank West. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 343 Spring Bank W, Kingston upon Hull, England HU3 1LB, United Kingdom. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in England’s Yorkshire & The Humber. Globally, it is on the Atlantic Ocean, in the North Atlantic Region, in Europe, in Atlantic Europe, on one of the British Isles, in the Western World, and in the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Roman Empire.
Other nearby markers. At least 7 other markers are within 11 kilometers of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Hull General Cemetery (about 150 meters away, measured in a direct line); Amy Johnson's Famous Flight, May 1930 (approx. 1.7 kilometers away); Amy Johnson, 1903-1941 (approx. 1.7 kilometers away); The Story of the Neptune Inn (approx. 2.3 kilometers away); Old Grammar School (approx. 2.4 kilometers away); Welcome to Beverley (approx. 10.5 kilometers away); Beverley Station History (approx. 10.7 kilometers away).
Credits. This page was last revised on June 20, 2025. It was originally submitted on June 15, 2025, by Ray Gurganus of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 136 times since then and 15 times this year. Last updated on June 20, 2025, by Ray Gurganus of Washington, District of Columbia. Photo 1. submitted on June 15, 2025, by Ray Gurganus of Washington, District of Columbia. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
Editor’s want-list for this marker. 1)photo of the marker without obstructions, 2) contextual photo of the marker • Can you help?
