Trewman's Exeter Flying Post - Thursday, June 25, 1857

Southmolton News - Accident, On Wednesday evening, while John Brealey, a labourer, was engaged in taking down the old buildings on ground intended for the cemetery, a portion of wall fell on him and nearly buried him. His arm was broken, but he is favourably progressing under the surgical attendance of Dr Riccard.

10/6/1858 - Exeter Flying Post - 7e

The Cemetery - This place of sepulchre having been declared to be in a fit state to be consecrated, Tuesday the 1st, was appointed by the Bishop for the purpose. His Lordship arrived at the home of the Rev. J.C.K. Saunders at 3 o’clock. A procession was formed consisting of the Bishop, Archdeacon Bartholomew, the members of the Burial Board, and others.

On arriving at the chapel, the petition of consecration was read and the ceremony duly performed. The weather being fine, the grounds were crowded with persons of all classes, and general satisfaction was expressed at the buildings etc., which reflect great credit on the architect, Mr. R. D. Gould of Barnstaple, and the contractor, Mr. John Cock jnr, of Southmolton.

The grounds have been tastefully laid out by Messrs. Veitch of Exeter. A wish was generally expressed that the regulations providing for the admission of the public during seasonable hours will be acted upon (which hitherto has not been the case), as the inhabitants of the town will doubtless avail themselves of so agreeable a promenade.

Kelly’s Directory 1923

Cemetery – A stone cross was erected by public subscription in 1920 between the chapels in memory of those who fell in the Great War 1914-1918.

Extracts from The South Molton Heritage Trail:

The cemetery was laid out on a piece of land called Barns Close which was purchased by the Council for £600. John Cock, junior was contracted to carry out the work and Mr. R. D. Gould of Barnstaple was the architect. The Lodge was added in 1882, once again the work of John Cock junior. The war memorial, which takes the form of a handsome granite cross, was erected by public subscription at a cost of £150 and was unveiled by Earl Fortescue in 1920.

The first person to be buried in the new cemetery was Humphrey John Norris Bawden, J.P. He was buried on 6th February 1858.