Erection date: 1901
{On the west face of the base:}
To the glory of God and the pious memory of all who died in faith and whose mortal remains are interred in this graveyard, this cross is erected by H. C. Richards, FSA, KC, MP, AD 1901.
{On the east face of the base:}
And in fond memory of Frederick Richards JP born 24 Sep. 1820, died 23 Nov. 1900; A. G. E. Richards born 1 Aug. 1818, died 28 Dec. 1899; Fred. Field Richards, priest, born 2 Nov. 1846, died 10 April 1879.
All residents of this parish AD 1840 - 1874.
Note the natty, 'tiled' roof at the top. The inscription is difficult to read and the dates for A. C. E. Richards may be incorrect.
Site: Richards' Cross (1 memorial)
E8, Mare Street, St John at Hackney graveyard
In 1893 large areas of the churchyard were cleared of tombs and St John’s Gardens was designated a public open space.
From London Burial Grounds, MDCCCXCVI (1896) : "lately a new City Church Preservation Society has been formed, the Chairman of Council being Mr. H. C. Richards, M.P., and the Hon. Secretary the Rev. Rowland B. Hill." "St. John at Hackney Churchyard.—6 acres. This includes an older ground, attached to the original church of St. Augustine, of which the tower still remains. Part of the churchyard is laid out as a public garden, and is neatly kept by the Hackney District Board of Works, but the newer part to the south of the church is still full of tombstones and rather untidy grass. The newest part of all, “the poor ground,” which is at the extreme southern end, is laid out for the use of children."
(The Rev. Rowland Hill referenced here is not the Rev. Rowland Hill of the Surrey Chapel, who had died in 1833.)
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