Plaque: Quakers - Memorial Buildings
Erection date: /10/1881
Memorial Buildings
These buildings stand on part of the Old Bunhill Fields Burial Ground. The first freehold possessed by London Friends, used by them for burials during nearly two hundred years, it was closed to such purposes in 1855.
In 1880 The Metropolitan Board of Works purchased parts of the property for widening streets from which, and also from the site of these premises, all remains of interments being first carefully removed were re-interred in the ground adjoining. And out of the proceeds of such compulsory sales these buildings with their halls, coffee-tavern club and committee rooms have been built.
Near this spot George Fox was interred in 1690, previously Edward Burrough and some ninety other martyr Friends who died in London prisons had been buried here.
To the memory of these ancient worthies and for the furtherance of religious, moral and philanthropic objects are these buildings now dedicated by The Society of Friends in London {in the hope} thereby to promote the best welfare & happiness of the surrounding population.
London, 10, Mo., 1881.
{We believe that the date means "10th month", i.e. October.}
To the left of this huge plaque there is a small, simple and extremely well-maintained grave-stone, that reads: "George Fox, born 7th Mo. 1624. Died 13th of 11th Mo. 1690, aged 66 years", meaning born July 1624 and died 13 November 1690. Authoritative sources give his date of death as 13 January 1691.
Site: Bunhill Quakers (2 memorials)
EC1, Chequer Street, Quaker Garden, Banner Street
This garden is easily confused with the nearby Bunhill Burial Ground.
The slate memorial can be seen in the foreground. The large white plaque is further back, on the low wall.
The charming building bears the inscription: "Society of Friends Bunhill Fields Memorial Buildings".
The City of London gives:
The gardens are a small fragment of a Quaker burial ground (which was also known as Bunhill Fields Burial Ground) and which was the first freehold property owned by Quakers, bought in 1661 and used until 1855 for 12,000 burials. George Fox, Edward Burrough and John Bellers were buried there.
