Grave Robbers Reach Peterborough
Information
1828: The Stamford Mercury makes one of the early reference to resurrection men, or body snatchers, operating in Peterborough. It describes how, during the past week : 'these wretches have forced their way way to the neighbourhood of Peterborough, and, one night last week, succeeded in taking the body of a young man recently buried from the churchyard in Stanground. A fellow is now in custody at Peterborough on suspicion of involvement in the foul deed.' Two others, supposed to be his companions, had made a rapid getaway by horse and cart, heading full tilt toward Yaxley and the Great North Road. They had been followed by many of the local men, with more joining in the pursuit as it went along. The two suspects did make good their escape - but on foot, vanishing into the countryside. Their horse and cart appears to have ended up in a ditch. The cart was described as 'containing the various instrument used in this horrid traffic'. The items in question were 'taken into custody' by the Peterborough constables at Norman Cross. There is no record of these grave robbers ever being caught but quite a few more such situations would arise in Peterborough and its locale over the next four years or so. (Lincoln, Rutland and Stamford Mercury)
Taken from The Peterborough Book of Days by Brian Jones, The History Press, 2014.