Researched by Heritage Advisory Group
John W. Easton and Sons had their stonemason business in Northernhay Street for over 80 years. All that remains now is the impressive Grade II listed former family home at number 42 and the, also listed, marble-topped pillars, now flanking the entrance to the city car park. Easton’s owned several local quarries and were responsible for the stonework used to create Exeter’s finest monuments. They deployed locally quarried Devon stone for the base of the Great War memorial in Northernhay Gardens and the base of the clock tower at the end of Queen Street.
Tragedy struck the family when their 15-year-old son, Alfred Easton, died due to a gunpowder explosion while creating rockets in the basement of number 42. The gunpowder he and a friend were using caught alight from a candle and caused an explosion that was heard across the street.
John Short, a neighbour, rescued both boys ‘but they could give no information as to the explosion. They were both very badly burnt, their clothes being on fire’. Alfred subsequently died from lock-jaw a few days later, caused by his extensive burns, and was buried in St David’s churchyard.
Robert Coram writes ‘about 15 years ago, I attended an Exeter City Red Coat tour that included a visit to Northernhay Street. We were told that, during building works, a walled-up body was discovered in one of the walls surrounding the municipal Northernhay Street car park (formerly the site of Easton’s marble works). Unfortunately, evidence of the origin of this story has not yet been identified and disappointingly this tale may be nothing more than an urban myth.’
