Monthly Archives: December 2019

A Quiet Resting Place

Dr. William Henry Emeris Burke was buried on December 3rd 1889 in St. Mary’s Churchyard, Carisbrooke on the Isle of Wight. His death was announced by his solicitor, Mr. John Carrington.

Forename(s): William Henry Emeris

Surname: BURKE   Convict

Date of birth: 1845 (approx., calculated)

Date of death: 1889

Date of burial: 3 Dec 1889

Age at death: 44 years

Address: Parkhurst Prison, Parish of Carisbrooke

The church is mentioned in the Domesday Book. Probably begun by William Fitz-Osbert, it was originally attached to the Priory of St Mary the Virgin, which was occupied by monks from the Abbey of Lyra (now Lire) in Normandy.

Although reported in some papers, he was not brought back to Yorkshire but interred on the Isle of Wight. Sadly in the church records his last address was Parkhurst Prison and his status a convict. It may have been true of his last days but, long before his life took a turn for the worst, he was; “not a few recollect him in the old days, a happy, clever, handsome man.”

Dr Burke in happier times

Sources

Sheffield Independent 03 December 1889

https://www.foncc.org.uk/burials/grave-search/record.php?rec=14653

Carlisle Patriot 06 December 1889

06 February 1888 – Sheffield Evening Telegraph – Sheffield, Yorkshire, England

The Death of Dr. William Henry Emeris Burke

The following announcement was made to the press in early December 1889:

“Mr. John Carrington solicitor, of Barnsley, who defended William Emeris Burke, surgeon of Monk Bretton, near Barnsley, at his trial, yesterday afternoon received a telegram from the Governor of her Majesty’s Convict Prison, Isle of Wight, announcing that Dr. Burke, who was confined there during her Majesty’s pleasure, died at half-past four o’clock on Saturday afternoon.”

Sources

Sheffield Independent 03 December 1889

Illustrated London News 10 December 1892