Harton Cemetery
was discussed by the town planners as Westoe Cemetery and the Church Yards could no longer cope with the growing population of
the town. Work started in 1889 and continued until January 1892 when the cemetery was completed
The burial ground was consecrated by the Bishop of Durham ,The Reverend J Morris, and was opened in January 1892. The
was reported in the local paper of the first person to be buried there was Mary Middleyard relic of David Middleyard aged
77 years, residing at 87 Denmark Street,
South Shields, and the grave location Section F. The memorial service
was held at St Hilda's Church in the market place which is the oldest church in South Shields
There
is also a small church with in the ground for those who did not wish use on of the local church for the service or for those
from the poor house (I.E. unknown bodied washed ashore or pauper). The cemetery was also used by those from Work House and
also for s mariner ship wrecked on the coast line.
The
Cemetery boundaries were extended 5 times due to the further increase in population of the town. This includes the Jewish section which has its own boundary walls, also including is the War Graves of
World War 2, and also the Muslim section.
The Cemetery has been transcribed By Lindenbridge Publications
& Research Services to help preserve the
heritage of the town, many of the old head stones have falling down due to age and the mining works of West Colliery.
