At the bottom of Section 2, by the wall overlooking Chapel Walk, there are three graves, standing apart from the others. The middle grave is that of Jonas Smith, a man whose life left a lasting mark on Eccleshill’s early religious and working community. Jonas was born in 1751 and after his marriage to Elizabeth, made his home in the Bank, Eccleshill, where together they raised a large family. He was remembered as a man of many trades, turning his hand to carpentry, ploughing and farming.
Alongside his practical skills, Jonas was known for his deep religious commitment. As a dedicated layman, he played a significant role in the growth of nonconformist worship in the area. He was instrumental in forming two congregations; one at Horton Lane in 1782 and later the Salem Chapel built on this very site in 1823. Jonas not only helped to establish the Chapel, he was its architect and one of the first Trustees. He also held the post of First Clerk, a position of considerable responsibility within the church and a post he held until his death in 1835 at the age of 84.
Jonas was also the Superintendent of the Sunday School, which once stood alongside the Chapel. Although Jonas is buried here in Section 2, his wife ‘Betty’ was laid to rest in Horton Lane Chapel graveyard. For generations to come, his descendants continued to live in Eccleshill and worship at the new Congregational Church in Victoria Road, with many of them buried in different sections of this cemetery.
The foundation stone from the Salem Chapel which acknowledged Jonas Smith as being the architect, was saved when the Chapel was demolished and placed in the new Congregational Church at Victoria Road. Luckily, it was saved from demolition again in 2022 when Thomas Crompton contractors found it and the Friends were able to bring it back to its original home at Chapel Street Cemetery. It can be seen sited under the Notice board.
Section 2 S2