Sunbrick Burial Ground

Looking towards stone plaque

The Stone Plaque

The metal Plaque in the doorway

Looking at the exit

The Burial Ground

I stumbled upon this Quakers burial ground at an unearthly time of the day, way before breakfast, the dew was still wet on the ground. It was to be several hours before bacon was to be had. The bacon stop was well on the way to the Hoad monument. What was immediately striking was the peace and sanctity of the place.

It was no surprise that the Quakers had chosen the same place as our ancient ancestors had on Birkrigg Common for their stone circle. I wonder what our Quakers had thought of that those ancient stones.

There was no obvious signs that this was a burial ground, There were no mounds of earth. It was enclosed with local stone walls - obviously the sheep "tended" the short grass. There were tell-tale signs! There was however a low door with an inscribed metal plate and an inscribed stone inside. The location of Sunbrick is here and the location of the Birkrigg Stone Circle is here.  The inscriptions on the two plaques are below.

The Stone Inscription

SUNBRICK 

FRIENDS BURIAL PLACE

BETWEEN THE YEARS 1648 AND 1767 THE REMAINS OF 223 FRIENDS WERE INTERRED HERE AMONG WHOM WAS MARGARET FOX WIDOW OF GEORGE FOX WHO DIED AT SWARTHMORE HALL THE 27TH OF 2ND MONTH 1702 AGED 89 YEARS THE REGISTERS ARE IN THE REGISTER OFFICE OF THE SOCIETY OF FRIENDS HOUNDSDITCH LONDON

The Metal inscription in the doorway

SOCIETY OF FRIENDS

SUNBRICK BURIAL GROUND

BETWEEN THE YEARS 1654 AND 1767 THERE WERE BURIED HERE 227 FRIENDS AMONG WHOM WAS MARGARET FOX WIFE FIRST OF JUDGE THOMAS FELL AND SECONDLY OF GEORGE FOX FOUNDER OF THE SOCIETY OF FRIENDS

SHE DIED AT SWARTHMOOR HALL ON APRIL 23 1702 AGED 87

Until I typed in the 2 inscriptions I didn't realise how many inconsistencies there were. I already knew that Swarthmoor Hall had been Swarthsmore. I had also been led to believe that Sunbrick had also been named Sunbreak, and in the circumstances I could fully believe that. Of course you can visit yourself to check out these inconsistencies. Our route was to take us past Swarthsmoor Hall,  a refuelling stop at Morrisons in Ulverston, up to the Hoad and and also Furness Abbey.  Truly a long day in the hills of South Lakeland!