Garsdale (Dandra Garth Quaker Burial Ground)

Quaker graves are often unmarked (see below), but between these walls are two headstones remaining, and although small, room for 20 or more graves.

In 1652 George Fox started the Quaker movement who were not allowed to meet in 'steeplehouses' nor get 'sprinkled'. In 1689 the Act of Tolerance stopped the persecution of Quakers for not attending conventional church. Because Quakers were not 'sprinkled' (baptised) they could not be buried in a churchyard. So Friends acquired land for burial.

Dandra Garth was sold by William Thistlethwaite of the adjoining farm for £4 in 1699, pre-dating the nearby meeting house, which was sold and torn down. The stone used to build 'Clough View' further up the valley.

Removal of Quaker headstones.
The Yearly Meeting in 1717 and 1766 instructed that all headstones be removed from all Quaker burial grounds. Friends were erecting 'vain monuments' over their dead relatives graves. This decision was rescinded later (1850) and simple uniform headstones were used in each area. Eventually a pattern was agreed, with deceased's name, age and date of death inscribed on a simple locally made stone.

Quakers were unbaptised and were forbidden burial in "consecrated ground" or in church connected graveyards. They buried their dead on private land and would do the same for those forbidden burial in church consecrated land (unbelievers, condemned, suicides etc.).

Sources: Donald A Rooksby The Man in Leather Breeches, A People to be Gathered, And Sometime Upon the Hills