This grave contains several members of the Foxall family – siblings Ann, Sarah Ann, William Henry and Mary, their mother Sarah and their half brother Levi.

Thomas Foxall was born in Shifnall, Shropshire. Later he married Sarah, although we can find no record of this marriage. Their first child was William Henry Foxall, born around 1820. I can find no record of his birth or baptism. Did they marry elsewhere and move to Halifax with their young child? The first record we can find for this family in Halifax is the birth of Thomas Foxall in 1821, Thomas, the father, is a Gas Engineer and the child is baptised at the Square Chapel, Halifax. John is born in 1823, Frederick in 1825, Sarah Ann in 1827 (but sadly dies 11 months later), James is born in 1829.

A Trade Directory from 1830 records Foxall, Thomas as Superintendent of the Gas Works, Bank Bottom. Their child, Mary, was born in 1831. They had another child, David in 1833, but there are no records of his birth or baptism. Sadly, their child William Henry Foxall, aged 16, died in 1836. Sarah Foxall, Thomas’ wife, died 4 February 1837, aged 40. Sarah and the children were buried at Square Independent Chapel, Halifax in February 1837, and in June of the same year their 12 year old son Frederick also died. 1837 was an eventful year as Thomas remarried just 8 months after Sarah’s death in October 1837 to Mary. Mary was born in Sowerby and was the widow of Mr Lister. She came with her daughter Fanny Lister who was aged about 5 at the time. During this year of upheaval, Thomas Foxall of Southowram is listed as living at Gas Works House, listed also as a Proprietor of Gas Works (alongside Christopher Rawson).