Introduction
Palmer's Family
His Background
Suspicious Deaths
Palmer's Crime
Palmer Arrested
The Trial
Execution
Related Topics
 
 
  Who else is buried in there?


The Family damned by The Illustrated London News January 19th 1856 from their Special Correspondent:

     An account of the Palmer family is next necessary. It is an extraordinary family history, even if we are to reject, in considering it, one-half of the stories of the now cynical people of Rugeley; and the more it is examined, with the circumstances arising out of it, and implicating parties unconnected with the family, the more will the general public be inclined to think unfavourably of the character of the whole community of whom these Palmer’s formed but a portion. For we have to observe that, arising out of this Palmer case, there are two extraordinary charges now preferred, not by gossip but by authorities – one against the postmaster of the place, for systematic letter opening: and another against the coroner of the inquiry for undue partiality to, and improper correspondence with, Palmer. It is furthermore to be remarked that the case, in itself so extraordinary, is marvelous for the extent to which the evidence damages the characters of the witnesses themselves.

The Palmer Vault

The Palmer Family Vault is situated in St. Augustines Churchyard beside the rear of the church on the north-eastern side.

During the Second World War ornate railings and ironwork from in front of houses and from churchyards throughout the country was collected. It was to be recycled and used to make weapons and ammunition for the 'War Effort'. However a local historian assures me that although such iron work was collected during the war it was not in fact ever used to manufacture any weaponry.

 

The Palmer family Vault as it looked in 1856, from the Illustrated Times of February 2nd 1856. By then Joseph William's father , his wife Ann, his brother Walter and four of William's five children Elizabeth' Henry, Frank and John were buried in the vault.

The picture on the right shows the grave around 1925. Picture from Life and Career of Dr William Palmer published in 1925



This photograph of the Palmer Family vault was taken by D.Lewis in 1980. The house in the background on the right
is the house where Palmer was raised as a child.

 

The Palmer Family Vault
as it looked in
January 2001 broken, decaying and vandalised. The end side pieces that
at one time held the top aloft are now strewn upon the grass beside the vault.

Photograph by D.Lewis

  

 

William Palmer was not buried in the Palmer Family Vault but was buried inside the prison walls at Stafford. (See Final Resting Place web page)