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This intriguing digital copy of an original, undated image was kindly provided by a German visitor to this web site. In 2009 this gentleman purchased a number of old photographs, amongst them was this glimpse into the past, which was clearly captured in England and not Germany. The faded and damaged image shown here is of the grave of Ann Crutchley who was aged 61 when she died on October 17th in either 1850 or 1859, the date is unclear. Buried with Ann is her husband William Crutchley who died on October 9th 1872, aged 72. There are no notes on the photograph to confirm the location of the grave or the identity of the lady leaning on the headstone, although she is of course likely to be a close relative.

So far, I have not been able to conclusively identify this particular branch of the Crutchley family, and have unearthed no evidence to suggest they are relatives. However, census records do provide a likely identification. The 1851 census shows a family living in Shropshire Street, Drayton in Hales, Market Drayton, Shropshire, who's details, and ages would appear to match the dates on the memorial seen in the photograph above. In the census record William Crutchley was apparently born in Cheshire in 1799, at the time of the 1851 census he was the master of the local workhouse. His wife Ann was born in 1798 at Woore in Shropshire, according to the census she was employed as matron at the workhouse. The census dates would indicate that she died in 1859, so the possibility of an 1850 date for Ann's death can be ruled out.

The 1851 census data also confirms that William and Ann had a daughter called Mary who was born in 1834. In 1851 she was employed as assistant to the workhouse matron, presumably working alongside her mother and father. It seems likely that it is in fact Mary who standing next to the grave in the photograph.

The original version of the above image is recorded on a glass plate and so is exceptionally old for a photograph. If the lady in the image is indeed Mary Crutchley, then her apparent age would suggest that this early photograph was taken during the 1890's.

If anyone recognises the names of these people and would like more information, please contact me via the link on the left to the web site guest book.