By: Blonde Two
The Clampitt burial ground was a surprise Edge-of-Dartmoor find for the Two Blondes. It is a quiet and overgrown place that sits close to Clampitt House, Clampitt Plantation and Clampitt itself. We didn’t explore far for fear of being disrespectful, but were fascinated by the sign (above) which informed us that the burial ground was one belonging to the Society of Friends (Quakers) and that it had only been designated as such for 66 years.
I did a bit of research and found lots of people with the family name Clampitt, in particular around Hennock and Lustleigh, but no specific information about the burial ground and whether or not it had been linked to a meeting house.
I love exploring churchyards, Blonde One and I did some such exploration whilst in the Peak District at Eyam.
The Clampitt Burial Ground however, did not have the gravestones and crosses that you might usually expect to find in such a place. I did some more research; the Society of Friends believe that no person should be seen as being above another person in life, their choice of small, often flat stones reflects this in death. A sentiment I find both appealing and reassuring, there is surely too much pretension today. Maybe I have learnt something important from our unplanned visit.
