John Stocker

Died 13th October 1849

John Stocker died on the 13th October 1849, almost at the end of the cholera outbreak in Alnwick.

John was a resident of Moffit’s Yard, which was mentioned in the Rawlinson’s report as being a particularly filthy area. One can therefore assume that John was very poor.

Rawlinson also says there was a moderate NE wind and heavy squalls of rain on the day he died, as the people thought the outbreak was due to weather conditions.

John was buried in a mass grave at the rear of St Michael’s Church, in an area accommodating the majority of those who died in the outbreak. Only the more affluent families could afford to have a proper individual grave with headstone. There were also obvious sanitary issues having so many dead to accommodate in such a short time.

This is all we know at this time about John Stocker. If you are a descendant, or have any information about any one of the 136 cholera dead, we would love to hear from you. Please email:

                     familyhistory@bailiffgatemuseum.co.uk

Alternatively, you can complete one of our contact forms on the family history desk at the museum and we will contact you