Old Cankey terrorised Middleton as a grave robber in the 19th century, and now his ghost is said to haunt a quiet alleyway near the church, writes GEMMA JOHNSON
There is an alleyway in Middleton off Lodge Street. On appearances it looks like any other alleyway, but this one has a dark and macabre story connected to it.
It was once the stomping ground of a grave robber known as Old Cankey.
William Lancashire, also known as Old Cankey, was an eccentric man who lived alone. He had many strange habits, coming and going at odd hours of the night, and neighbours had raised several complaints about the pungent smells emitting from Old Cankey’s house.
He was frequently spotted near the graveyard at St Leonard’s Church, observing the funerals from a distance. Emerging from his small house, across from the alleyway which led to the graveyard, it was the only time he would appear in the daylight.
In November 1882, Old Cankey was found dead, lying on the kitchen floor clutching the coal he had gone to collect to fuel his fire. It was determined that he died of natural causes following a long period of ill health.
It was not a mystery, however, the sheer amount of money, jewels and precious artefacts found in his home was. For Old Cankey lived a life of poverty. He didn’t work, and his modest home was as scruffy as his appearance was.
Rumours started to circulate about the habits of Old Cankey as locals began to share their experiences and encounters. One story in particular gained momentum and has remained ever since, becoming ingrained within local folklore.
Old Cankey was a grave robber. He would watch the funerals, making notes of the newly buried, returning in the depths of the night with a shovel and a sack.
Despite his ageing years, Old Cankey was strong. He would dig up the body with ease.
Before casting it into the sack, he would strip the corpse of jewellery and any other items placed in the coffin. Once in the sack, he would fill the grave back in to avoid suspicion.
Old Cankey had a large hunchback. Locals said that this was due to him carrying the heavy corpse on his back, down the alleyway, his slow steady footsteps echoing in the stillness of night.
He would make his way to a boat on the nearby river where he would then take the body down to a dock in Manchester, where money would then be exchanged for the corpse.
During the 19th century, it was common for surgeons to acquire cadavers from grave robbers so that they could practise their craft and learn more about the human body. Old Cankey was part of the supply chain.
Grave robbing was a common practice in Middleton, likely because of its close proximity to Manchester and the ability to sell a corpse to the highest bidder.
Families in Middleton were known to sit and keep vigil at the graveside for several days after burial to protect the body of the deceased.
Samuel Bamford, Middleton resident and well-known political reformer, delayed the burial of his own daughter for several days following concerns of grave robbing, only going ahead with the funeral once assurances were put in place.
The story continues after the death of Old Cankey, for he is rumoured to still be going about his macabre business.
Footsteps are heard in the dark stillness of the alleyway frequented by him in life. Shadows lurk, seemingly appearing to be that of a hunched man carrying a sack.
His spirit is also rumoured to continue to roam the graveyard at St Leonard’s, especially when a funeral has taken place.
A rumour based on local gossip, or was Old Cankey a genuine grave robber? It wouldn’t be too much of a stretch, given where he lived and that he didn’t have a job yet could afford to keep a house.
In either case, the story of Old Cankey continues to send a shiver down the spine of locals and visitors.
