CFHS code : MG48
Parish : St Mary the Great
Inscription : In Loving Memory of JOHN LOWDEN PALMER d April 25 1882 in his 66th year also of MARY wife of JOHN LOWDEN PALMER d Jan 19th 1907 in her 90th year
Monument : Stone cross (broken and fallen)/Kerb stones
Above information from Cambridge Family History Society Survey
Lat Lon : 52.202184, 0.13750949 – click here for location
Monument
This cross feb many years ago but the inscription is still clear. Located 7 rows east of the central path to the south of the parish.
Inscription
In Loving Memory of JOHN LOWDEN PALMER d April 25 1882 in his 66th year
Also of MARY wife of JOHN LOWDEN PALMER d Jan 19th 1907 in her 90th year
“Into Thy hands I commend my soul.”
John Lowden Palmer (1816 – 25 April 1882)
John was born in Wisbech and baptised there on 31 May 1816. He was the son of tailor Samuel and Sarah and married Mary Rivers on 8 May 1843 at St. George’s Church, Hanover Square, London. John and Mary had at least five children: John Baker (1844-1887), Charles William (1847-), Louisa Mary (1852-1925), Rev. Samuel (1855-1936) and Arthur (1857-1922). Their eldest two children were born in Bulmer, near Braintree, but by 1851 the family had moved to live at 4 Trinity Street and John worked as the college butler of Caius College. He died at Trinity Street aged 66.
Mary Palmer (née Rivers) (21 August 1817 – 19 January 1907)
Mary was born in Ipswich and baptised at St. Mary Stoke on 18 January 1818. She was the daughter of miller William and Mary (née Baker). After she was widowed she lived at 161 Chesterton Road with youngest son Arthur, who was a Cambridge graduate and worked as a private tutor. She died at home aged 89 years.
From the Parish burial records it is also known that John and Mary’s eldest son John was also buried in the same grave
Staff Commander John Baker Palmer (23 December 1844 – 14 April 1887)
John was born in Bulmer and baptised at St. Mary’s, Great Henny on 26 January 1845. He joined the Royal Navy on 8 September 1860 and when the census of 1861 was taken was aboard HMS Melpomene, off the coast of Iskenderun, Turkey. He rose through the ranks from Master’s Assistant (1861) to Navigating Lieutenant (1871) and then Staff Commander. He was awarded the Egyptian Medal in 1883 and at that time was serving on H.M.S Penelope. When he died he was Staff Commander of the newly built H.M.S Rodney. John died at 27 Hills Road and his funeral took place on 19 April 1887.
Sources:
Ancestry
Newspaper archives
Parish burial records transcribed by CFHS
by Claire Martinsen
[If you have any further information about this family, please contact us at Friendsofmillroadcemetery@gmail.com]