17th to 18th century Friends Bural Ground at Bannister's Green (EHER 1256)

Probable moated mill mound. Quaker burials of 17th to 18th century date found during excavations.

1846-1947. Excavation. Artificial mound in garden of cottage known as Mill Cottage. In 1903 the VCH stated that the mound was known as the 'Quaker's Mount'. Tradition is unclear - stories of Quaker Burial place, of about 250 people being buried here in the Wars of the Roses, that in World War I a skull was found when a trench was dug as part of local defence. In the 1946-1947 excavations 9 skeletons were found from 2'6" to 5' down. Nothing of any interest was found deeper down. The soil didn't seem natural but no finds could date the mound. The trench was narrow and may have missed the centre of the mound, which is irregular, so uncertainty about the possibility of a primary interment. The trench was filled in in 1947 though investigations continued concerning secondary interments. Nothing conclusive was found - evidence seems to indicate that the burials are of Quakers of the late 17th to early 18th centuries. Most of the secondary burials were coffined. Little wood survived but some coffin handles were found. Professor Ashworth Underwood though that handles of this type were rare in humble burials and were rarely older than 18th century. There was a considerable Quaker community in the area. Entries in the Parish Register for 1695, 1696, 1698 and 1732 refer to burials in "ye Quaker Mount". The mound is generally thought to be a tumulus, also used as a mill mound and a Quaker burial ground. <1> - <6> See also: <7> - <9>