Genealogy Chat

Hi everyone. Does anyone have any idea why it would have been felt necessary to note either 'buried in woollen' or 'buried in linen' on parish records/bishops transcripts? Was it a sign of wealth, or lack of it? Kate :) Forgot to say - Dates were 1680's.

As far as I know yes it did donate wealth. as linnen was exspensive

If you Google 'Buried in Linen' you will get lots of info Regards Sam

Thanks Peter Just as I thought. Once a pauper always a pauper :) Kate

Hi Sam Will do that now. Thanks Kate :)

Googled and found this: the following extract from the book Abbots Langley describes the practice of burial in wool - and the entries found in the parish register. The Act of Parliament passed in Charles II's time (to bolster the English wool trade) required every man, woman and child that died to be buried in woolen. At first the names of two witnesses were required to be entered after the notice of the burial in the parish register. So the first entry John Porter, sonn of Soloman Porter, buried 11th day of August 1678 in nothing but what was made of sheepes wooll onely is witnessed by Soloman Porter and Alice Porter, and reported by Joshua Miller before Robert Ashton, Justice. Then it was made enough for a witness to testify to a justice of the peace, or to a clergyman of another parish thet the Act had been observed. So in 1714, June 1st, it is noted in the register: Mary Couley, buried in woollen, as appeared on oath before Sir William Buck, Baronet, one of Her Ma'ties Justices of the Peace. And in the next year: Dame Anne Raimond, buried in woollen, as appeared upon oath before Mr Rerdmore, vicar of Watford, March 10th 1715. There were penalties to be paid if the law was broken, as everyone well knew, and they were to be paid more than once at Abbots Langley, as the register shows: In 1684, for example: Martha Turner was buried in Linen contrary to ye Act of Parliament, for which 50 shillings was paid to Anne Smith ye informer, other fifty to ye poor of the parish ... And fifteen years later: Ane infant child of a travelling woman was buried July 31st, 1699, for which no affidavit was brought but whether the gypsy was liable for the fime it is impossible to say. But in the same year some people called Bab certainly had to pay for: Elizabeth Bab was buried in Linnen, and the forfeiture was payed, as will appear by the churchwarden's account for July 4th. The law was to be on the statute book (if not enforced) from 1678 to 1798, a period of 120 years ... SO: Maybe they were poor, but were also abiding by the rules? Kate

In order to boost the sale of wool, a law was passed in 1684 ordering that all the dead be buried in wool and in wool lined coffins. An affidavit that this had been done was entered with each burial register, but not all complied and they were fined. .....At her death, she was 'buried in linen', a forfeiture being paid under the Act, which, for the encouragement of the wollen industry, required that everyone should be buried in wool.

Thanks again Sam Our messages crossed over. I learn something new everyday on this site. Kate :)

It was new to me too ;) I saw this whilst looking at yours.. 'Life in the 16th century' England is old and small and they started running out of places to bury the dead. Many of the dead were buried in linen shrouds, some in coffins. When the dead had been disinterred, the bones would have been taken to a bone-house or ossuary and the grave would have been reused. One out of 25 of the coffins were found to have scratch marks on the inside and they realised that people were being buried alive. So they thought they would tie a string on the wrist of the corpse, lead it through the coffin and up through the ground and tie it to a bell. Someone would have to sit out in the graveyard all night (The graveyard shift) to listen for any tinkling of the bell. Thus, someone could be 'Saved by the bell.' or was considered a 'Dead ringer.' interesting stuff eh :)

Enough to give you nightmares. Where did you find that, could I have the addie please, wouldn't mind reading a little more (maybe not right before bedtime though) :) Kate :)

It was on the 2nd page of Google when I search 'Buried in Linen' http://www.lfhhs-pendleandburnley.org.uk/news4.htm half way down the page LIFE IN THE 16TH CENTURY

Found it thanks Wow, never realised where all those old sayings came from. Have printed that one off for my kids. Interesting stuff. (Think they might quite like the bit about only having a bath once a year) :) Thanks again Kate :)

Thank you for this thread. I noticed a 'Buried in Woolen' declaration when looking through some parish registers last week and wondered about it - now I know! Interesting to know where 'dead ringers' and 'graveyard shift' came from too... Alice

There was a very good article in the Daily Telegraph a few weeks ago about someone who had traced all known descendants of the original Courage brewery family. He mentioned one lady from the family who had asked to be buried wearing her diamond engagement ring. This was done but the butler decided that he would sell it so went to the family vault and opened the coffin. He could not get the ring off so got a knife to cut off the finger. At this point, much to his surprise, she regained conciousness. MB

As well as Genealogy on the boards, we have history, customs, folklore, etc. Long may they continue, I enjoy both the reading of those I don't know and the proof of those I do. Paul

Don't know how true this is, my granny told me, but here goes. In our local churchyard theres supposed to be a grave, lined with tiles, and the lady whose husband went into said grave, she wouldn't allow the coffin to be sealed 'in case he comes back to life again' Eeek! Lisa

This is so interesting!!! Thanks so much for putting this on here, makes you shiver though! Suex

Many 'affidavits' have survived and in the CRO of the county in which they were buried so you can search these records. Janet

I like the bit about the butler trying to get the diamond ring off the corpse. After she sprung back to life, I wonder if she gave the butler the sack?

Janet Thanks for that, think I will look for those, just out of interest. Kate :)