Monument record 1160/322 - Billing Road Cemetery (Northampton General Cemetery)

Northampton General Cemetery was founded in 1847. There is a mortuary chapel and two entrance lodges, one of which was demolished in the 20th Century. The cemetery was extended in 1882 to cover a total of 13 acres. The Caroline Chisholm Memorial and the Freer Memorial are included on the Local List.

{1} A private company was formed in 1845 to set up a cemetery and land was purchased on the north side of Billing Road. The cemetery opened on July 18th 1847. The first burial was that of Selina Mawby of Bouverie Street, who died 18 years of age. The company was keen to keep the cemetery unconsecrated. In 1859 the curate of St Peter's Church Rev. F.P. Lawson controversially conducted the first Church of England funeral at the burial ground. 100 years later the company was wound up.

{3} Rules and regulations and Scales of Charges in 1911 in the then 'Northampton General Cemetery'.

{5} Photos.

{7} Northampton General Cemetery was founded in 1847. There is a mortuary chapel and two entrance lodges, one of which was demolished in the 20th Century. The cemetery was extended in 1882 to cover a total of 13 acres.

{8} The cemetery was considered for inclusion in the Register of Parks and Gardens, but was not added to the Register.

{10} The cemetery was the first non-consecrated secular burial ground. Garden cemeteries had become fashionable and a design was commissioned was Scottish gardener Robert Marnock. The cemetery eventually contained more than 21,000 burials and the War Graves Commission tend to 149 dead from two world wars.

<1> 1995, The Chronicle and Echo, (unchecked) (Journal). SNN3288.

<2> , 1950, Ordnance Survey 2.5 Inch Series, SP76 (unchecked) (Map). SNN59760.

<3> Northampton General Cemetery, 1911, Northampton General Cemetery: Rules & Regulations and Scales of Charges, (unchecked) (Document). SNN103296.

<4> 2003, Billing Road Cemetery, (unchecked) (SMR Report Form). SNN105674.

<5> Cadman, G., 2013, War Memorial and Other Heritage Assets at Billing Road Cemetery, Northampton, (checked) (Note). SNN108511.

<6> Walker C., 2003, Setting The Record Straight: Caroline Chisholm Nee Jones 1808-1877, The Early Years - Northampton, p.77-91 (unchecked) (Article). SNN109365.

<7> 1924, Kelly's Directory (1924), p. 160 (Trade Directory). SNN39644.

<8> English Heritage Alternative Action Report, HB/000002/0078 (Report). SNN113037.

<9> West Northamptonshire Council, 2024, Local Heritage List, November 2024, p. 8 [Memorial to Caroline Chisholm and Freer Memorial] (Report). SNN116732.

<10> Cadman, G and Addison, C, 2024, Billing Road Cemetery, Northampton, p. 14-16 (Article). SNN116822.

Record last edited

May 14 2025 12:36PM