A SILKSTONE history group have uncovered a series of Georgian graves.

Just outside of Silkstone All Saints’ Church’s striking gothic architecture lies a little-known yet important slice of local history.

The church’s graveyard is home to a three particularly significant graves which are home to several members of a local family.

The Hawksworth family, including siblings John and Sarah, died almost 300 years ago, on October 3 and October 25, 1726, respectively.

The brother and sister, who were seven and four years old at the time of their passing, were commemorated by an exceptionally well-preserved and intricately carved memorial stone.

In total, nine members of the family are memorialised in the graveyard, including Joshua Hawksworth and Sarah Hawksworth - the youngsters’ parents, who died on April 14, 1762, and March 10, 1737.

David and Jane Raistrick, of Heritage Silkstone, have discovered that the Hawksworths were likely an influential local family.

The Hawksworths worked as whitesmiths, specialist metalworkers who typically worked with tin, pewter or silver.

The family would make cutlery, plates, mugs and household goods.

Canon Keith Farrow, the vicar of West Barnsley, said: “Looking back shows us how things have changed.

“Hopefully, we can learn some lessons from them, so we don’t forget who they are.

“That seems to almost bring them alive, even though they’re dead.”

Jane Raistrick added: “I think there was some sort of childhood ailment back then, over about three months a lot of children were buried.

“Unfortunately, it doesn’t give their ages in the burial register.”