Them Bones

Every town has its characters but it is just a shame that until the onset of modern records any oddities, traits and eccentricities of specific individuals were only recalled in sparsely written documents or passed down by word of mouth through successive generations. 

In the days when most urban dwellers rarely wandered away from their home towns over their lifetimes local myths and legends could be retained amongst the population with story telling being a popular method to recount historical events and the antics of notable or notorious persons. 

Following on from yesterdays blog about “Half Hung Smith” I have come across another inhabitant of the same Yorkshire town of Malton of no less interest and fascination. 

Michael Parker was born in 1758. 

His first employment in carrying bulky coals and corn from the wharfage of the River Derwent which passed through Malton hints at a robust and strong physical stature. However, anecdotal evidence at the time made him out to be a rather rough character, poorly dressed, with shoes tied up with string and sacking on his shoulder for his portering duties. 

His main activity, however, was grave digging and he is reputed to have buried, in his 50 year span in this occupation, around 5000 townsfolk and those from other places who unfortunately died whilst in or around Malton. 

It is stated that he obtained great satisfaction from the digging of a grave but also a morbid curiosity in human bones. 

Malton has a long history as a settlement from ancient times as well as being an important garrison town for the Roman army followed by centuries of a trade, commerce and agriculture based local and regional economy. 

Consequently space in the churchyards in the town would be at a premium and in making excavations for new burials it is reasonable to assume that Parker would regularly uncover old skeletal remains. In this way he soon amassed a large collection of bones which he used to adorn the walls of his cottage so as to resemble an ornate mural. 

Perhaps this method of adornment was a perfectly normal pastime for a gravedigger but the practice exposed him to the suspicions and displeasures of his neighbours but did not dissuade him from his obsession. 

These traits suggested an unusual character. 

It is said that he used to keep St Mark's Eve Watch on April 24th, for the ghosts of people who were to die that year who would appear in the porch of the church. 

If he quarelled with anyone he would threaten to bury him or her face down when they died so they could not scratch their way out. 

At a time of great superstition and rumour around the afterlife as well as the fear amongst many that they may be buried alive, hence the design of bells and alarms to accompany a corpse in the internment process in case of a mistaken diagnosis of death, these mutterings by Parker will have been quite menacing. 

There was some tragedy in his personal life with the death of one wife and the elopement of another and also the premature death of his son but he also had a kind manner. 

He regularly took in stray, abandoned or injured animals for friendship and company although often provoked more anger form neighbours as the menagerie would often intrude into their homes and gardens. 

At age 65 Parker was so afflicted by rheumatism that he could no longer dig graves.

An application was to made to him for the loan of his churchyard spade which he refused initially but then gave in saying he would be better next time there was a grave to dig. 

He never dug another grave and died on the 5th April 1823. 

His wishes concerning his own funeral were observed. A wake was held at his house, a favourite hymn sung in the church and as the funeral procession moved along the street many people chanted 'poor Michael, poor fellow'. 

It was a well attended ceremony. For all of his eccentricities and flaws he was held in great affection by the people of Malton.