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17
"The works were carried out under the immediate direction of the
churchwardens, Mr R Arnold, Mr Brookman, and Mr "Woollven, and
subject to the supervision of Mr J Liddle, the Medical Officer of Health
Mr James Tolley, of Angel Court, Throgmorton Street, was the Surveyor,
and Mr Temple G Tolley, the Contractor The total outlay, nearly £500,
will be defrayed out of the poor-rates of the Parish Notwithstanding their
large money-cost, the value of the works performed, as an important sanitary
improvement, cannot be over-estimated
"The total number of dead bodies which had been buried in the vaults
under Spitalfields Church, has been estimated at 1500, viz , about 900 in
the public vault, and 600 in the several private vaults It is probable that
the number of coffins has been understated, for, as the work proceeded,
many more were found, that had not been taken into account when the
contract was accepted A majority of the vaults were constructed
during the building of the church, and many are built in the
thickness of the walls There are also several other vaults similarly
constructed They were opened for interments in 1728 The public
vault remained open for sepulture until 1845, and all the other vaults were
finally closed in 1859 The public vault was crammed with coffins, from
the floor to the ceiling; some of 'the coffins were found packed in the
upright position, others sideways, while others again were placed in the
customary manner
"The crypt is 150 feet in length, 50 feet in width, and 12 feet 6 inches
in height; it is light, and well ventilated, and is now open for the inspection
of any member of the Board "
I am,
Gentlemen,
Your obedient Servant,
15, Great Alie Street JOHN LIDDLE