This ebook was transcribed by Les Bowler.
GLEANINGS IN GRAVEYARDS:
A COLLECTION OF
CURIOUS EPITAPHS.
* * * * *
COLLATED, COMPILED, AND EDITED
BY
HORATIO EDWARD NORFOLK,
HONORARY SECRETARY TO THE CHELSEA ATHENAEUM.
* * * * *
* * * * *
_SECOND EDITION_.
* * * * *
* * * * *
London:
JOHN RUSSELL SMITH, 36, SOHO SQUARE.
1861.
* * * * *
LONDON
PRINTED BY P. PICKTON,
PERRY'S PLACE, 29, OXFORD STREET.
* * * * *
TO
ROBERT HUNT, ESQ., F.R.S., F.S.S.
H.M. KEEPER OF MINING RECORDS, ETC. ETC.
THIS LITTLE VOLUME
IS INSCRIBED
WITH EVERY FEELING OF RESPECT
AS A SMALL TRIBUTE OF GRATITUDE
FOR MANY ACTS OF KINDNESS
AT HIS HANDS,
BY
THE EDITOR.
CONTENTS.
PAGE
EPITAPHS IN ENGLAND 1
WALES 107
SCOTLAND 111
MISCELLANEOUS 123
PREFACE.
(TO THE FIRST EDITION.)
Although this country may be behind many others in the poetic or classic
character of its monumental inscriptions, it is certainly not so in the
production of Epitaphs of a curious and absurd character. Whether it is
that the British are, as a nation, witty and humorous, and that they are
desirous that their peculiarities should be recorded even in the
sanctuaries of their dead, or that they consider _true_ records of the
departed to be of little or no value, has yet to be shown. It is,
however, remarkable that if we refer to the epitaphial records of other
nations, we find that they are, as a rule, noted for their beauty,
elegance, or truth, whereas of the many graveyards in Great Britain there
is scarcely one that does not afford examples of humourous effusions.
The Egyptians, although they do not furnish us with many epitaphs worthy
of note, do not seem to have devoted themselves to the production of
frivolous inscriptions, but contented themselves with inscribing on their
sarcophagi and coffins, the name, descent, and functions of the departed.
The Greeks (as Mr. Pettigrew remarks in his _Chronicles of the Tombs_),
"wrote their epitaphs in elegiac verse, and afterwards in prose, and the
collections published by various hands are well known to, and duly
appreciated by, scholars."
The Roman tombs also afford us an example worthy of imitation, in the
purity and simplicity of their inscriptions. They usually began with D.
M. (Diis Manibus), followed by the name, office, and age of the deceased,
and a conclusion, which informed the reader by whom or through what means
the inscription was erected.
Whether the Saxons or the Danes used monumental inscriptions, either in
their own or in the Latin tongue, has been doubted. The few which we
have for people of the Saxon times, are probably the compositions of a
later date. Three or four small slabs, however, bearing crosses and some
early British female names, supposed to be those of nuns, were dug up
some years ago at Hartlepool.
We are informed also, by the above quoted author, that "in this country,
in early times, were inscriptions prohibited to be engraven on any tombs
but those belonging to persons distinguished either by their high
position, as governors of the kingdom or as military commanders, or
remarkable for their wisdom and virtues." Since this prohibition has
been removed, however, no time seems to have been lost in showing the
necessity for, and the advantage of, such regulation.
The following pages are intended to convey some idea, to those who have
not the opportunity to search our churchyards for themselves, of the
extent to which the practice has been carried of inscribing tombstones
with verses remarkable either for their quaintness, or their rude
attempts at humour.
It has been thought advisable to intersperse with the curious Epitaphs a
few inscriptions, more elegant in their composition, and more
praiseworthy in their purport.
The Miscellaneous are for the most part authentic, and so frequently
placed on gravestones, that to prevent repetition it has been thought
best to arrange them in a chapter by themselves.
It is hoped, that while this collection of curious Epitaphs may afford
amusement to all, that it will not prove offensive to any, nor fail to
convey the salutary lesson that a healthful smile may be elicited from
the homely record of human woe.
H. E. N.
CHELSEA ATHENAEUM,
1_st April_, 1861.
EPITAPHS.
Bedfordshire.
COLMWORTH.
Here is a magnificent monument, erected in 1611, by Lady Dyer, in memory
of her deceased husband, Sir William Dyer, the inscription upon which
tells us that "they multiplied themselves into seven children." Beneath
are the following quaint lines:--
My dearest dust, could not thy hasty day
Afford thy drowsy patience leave to stay
One hour longer, so that we might either
Have set up, or gone to bed together!
But since thy finished labour hath possessed
Thy weary limbs with early rest,
Enjoy it sweetly, and thy widow bride
Shall soon repose her by thy slumbering side!
Whose business now is to prepare
My nightly dress and call to prayer.
Mine eyes wax heavy, and the days grow old,
The dew falls thick--my blood grows cold:--
Draw, draw the closed curtains, and make room,
My dear, my dearest dust, I come, I come.
EDWORTH.
Here lies father, and mother, and sister, and I,
We all died within the space of one year,
They be all buried at Whimble except I,
And I be buried here.
LUTON.
In the "Wenlock Chapel" in the above church, on an embattled altar-tomb
is a recumbent figure of a priest--representing William Wenlock, who died
1392. Round the verge of the tomb is inscribed, in ancient characters,--
. . . . Ilemus hic tumulatus de Wenlock natus; in ordine
presbiteratus; alter hujus ille: dominus meus fuit ville: hic jacet
indignus: anime Deus esto benignus!
On the side of the tomb,--
In Wenlock brad I: in this town lordshcippes had I! here am I now
lady: Christes moder help me lady. Under these stones: for a tym
shal I rest my bones; deyn mot I ned ones. Myghtful God gra't me thy
woues. Ame'.
Formerly in a window of this chapel was a portrait of Wenlock, with the
following inscription:--
Jesu Christ, most of might,
Have mercy on John de Wenlock, knight,
And of his wife Elizabeth,
Which out of this world is passed by death,
Which founded this chapel here,
Help thou them with your hearty prayer,
That they may come unto that place,
Where ever is joy and solace.
On an altar-tomb in the tower is the following:--
Thomas Gilbert here doth stai
Waiting for God's judgment day,
Who died August 25, 1566.
A slab on the floor of the south aisle bears this inscription,--
Here lyeth the body of Daniel Knight,
Who all my lifetime lived in spite.
Base flatterers sought me to undoe,
And made me sign what was not true.
Reader take care, whene'er you venture
To trust a canting false dessenter,
Who died June 11th, in the 61st year of his age,
1756.
A friend of Daniel Knight (at whose instigation the above epitaph was
engraved during his lifetime, and the future tombstone used as a cupboard
door) prepared an inscription for his own tomb,--
"Here lies the body of Thomas Proctor
Who lived and died without a doctor."
But fate, jealous of the reputation of the faculty, broke his leg, and
compelled him to sacrifice to AEsculapius.
Berkshire.
BUCKLEBURY.
Here lyeth the body of Samuel Wightwicke, Esqre. 1662.
Heaven only knowes the Blisse his soul inioyes,
Whil's wee on earth seeke after fading toyes,
And doe not mind how saints and angells singe
To see him thron'd with his eternall king.
WEST WOODHAY.
In the old church near Newbury, is the following epitaph to the memory of
Sir Ben Rudyerd:--
John Grant, in memory of his deare and honoured Master Sir Benjamin
Rudyerd, knight, hath affixed this stone over his grave with this
epitaph made by Sir Benjamin in his younger years:--
Fond world, leave off this foolish trick
Of making epitaphs upon the dead;
Rather go write them on the quick,
Whose soules in earthly flesh lye buried.
For in this grave lyes nought of me
But my soules grave, two graves well turned to one.
Thus do I live, from death made free;
Trust me, good friend, I am not dead, but gone
To God and Christ, my Saviour alone.
1656.
OLD WINDSOR.
When this you see remember me
As I lay under ground,
The world say what it will of me,
Speak of me as you have found.
ALDWORTH.
There is a vulgar tradition that in this place four Johns were buried,
and they are described as follows:--John Long, John Strong, John
Ever-afraid, and John Never-afraid. They say that John Ever-afraid was
afraid to be buried either in the church or out of it, and was
consequently buried under the wall, where the arch appears on the
outside, by the south church door.
* * * * *
The following is a copy of an epitaph, now almost obliterated, in Speen
Churchyard, and which, admired for its simple pathos, has been handed to
us for insertion:--
In memory of John Matthews, of Donnington, Berks,
1779.
When Heaven with equal eyes our quick'ning dust
Shall view, and judge the bad and praise the just,
His humble merits may perhaps find room
Where kings shall wish, but wish in vain to come.
* * * * *
In Sunning Hill Churchyard is the following epitaph on the late Right
Hon. Colonel Richard Fitzpatrick, written by himself:--
Whose turn is next? This monitory stone
Replies, vain passenger perhaps thine own;
If idly curious, thou wilt seek to know
Whose relicks mingle with the dust below,
Enough to tell thee, that his destin'd span,
On earth he dwelt, and like thyself a man.
Nor distant far th' inevitable day
When thou, poor mortal, shalt like him be clay;
Through life he walk'd un-emulous of fame,
Nor wish'd beyond it to preserve a name.
Content, if friendship, o'er his humble bier
Dropt but the heart-felt tribute of a tear;
Though countless ages should unconscious glide,
Nor learn that even he had lived and died.
NEWBURY.
On Elizth Daughter of James Bond, 1659.
Low, here she is, deprived of lyfe,
Which was a verteous and a loving wife;
Until the graves again restore
Their dead, and Time shall be no more;
She was brought a-bed, but spous above,
And dyed to pay the living pledge of love.
* * * * *
On Mr. Hugh Shepley, sometime Rector of Newbvrye, 1596.
Full eight and twenty years he was your pastor,
As hee was taught to feede by Christ, his Master;
By preaching God's Word, good life, good example,
(Food for your soules, fitt for God's house or temple)
Hee loved peace, abandoned all strife,
Was kinde to strangers, neighbours, children, wife;
A lambe-like man, borne on an Easter daye,
So liv'd, so dide, so liv's again for aye;
As one Spring brought him to this world of sinne,
Another Spring the Heavens received him in.
* * * * *
In the Parish Church of Aldermaston is the following:--
To the precious memorie of four Virtuous Sisters,
daughters of Sir H. Forster, 1623.
Like borne, like new-borne, here like dead they lye,
Four virgin sisters, decked with pietie;
Beavtie and other graces, which commend
And make them all like blessed in their end.
CHADDLEWORTH.
To the memory of Mary, wife of Thomas Nelson, of this parish, who died
1618, beinge of the age of 30 years, and had issue 7 children.
If thou religious art that passest by
Stay and reade on; as thou art so was I:
If thou art blest with children, and dost crave
In God's feare them trayned up to have
Reade on agayn, and to thyself thus tell
Here she doth lye that was my parallel;
Or art thou bounteous, hospitable, free,
Belov'd of all, and they beloved of thee;
Meeke, full of mercy, and soe truly good
As flesh can be, and spronge of gentle blood?
If thou art soe, to thine own dear selfe saye,
Who on her grave my monument did lay?
But if to these thou knowst thyselfe but chaffe,
Pass on thy waye, reade not my epitaphe.
Also Dorothy Nelson, wife of William Nelson, who died
1619, being of 86 years, and had issue 7 children.
It was not many years that made mee good,
Neither was it in the vigor of my blood;
For if soe then my goodness might have past,
And as I did, have ceast to be at laste.
But 'twas the grace my Maker did enshrine
In my meeke breast, which cleerely there did shine.
As my soul now amongst the chosen blest,
Under this stone although my bones doe rest.
PEWSEY.
Here lies the body
Lady O'Looney,
Great niece of Burke, commonly
called the Sublime.
She was
Bland, passionate, and deeply religious;
Also she painted in water colours,
And sent several pictures to the Exhibition.
She was first cousin to Lady Jones.
And of such is the kingdom of heaven.
ALLWORTH CHAPEL, WINDSOR.
Here lies a modell of frail man,
A tender infant, but a span
In age or stature. Here she must
Lengthen out both bedded in dust.
Nine moneths imprisoned in ye wombe,
Eight on earth's surface free; ye tombe
Must now complete her diarie,
So leave her to aeternatie.
Buckinghamshire.
DATCHET.
EPITAPH ON TWO SISTERS.
A tender mother, aunt, and friend,
They continued to their end.
HIGH WYCOMBE.
Death is a fisherman; the world we see
A fish-pond is, and we the fishes be;
He sometimes angles, like doth with us play,
And slily take us, one by one away.
IVER.
On William Hawkins.
Once at his death, and twice in wedlocke blest;
Thrice happy in his labour and his rest;
Espoused now to Christ, his head in life,
Being twice a husband, and in death a wife.
On a Lady.
Two happy days assigned are to men--
Of wedlocke and of death. O happy then,
'Mongst women was she who is here interred,
Who lived out two, and, dying, had a third.
On Richard Carter.
An honest man, a friend sincere,
What more can be said? He's buried here.
FARNHAM.
A sudden death, a mind contented;
Living beloved, dead lamented.
WYCOMBE.
Here lies one, whose rest
Gives me a restless life;
Because I've lost a good
And virtous wyfe.
Cambridgeshire.
ALL SAINT'S CHURCH, CAMBRIDGE.
Epitaph of a Wine Merchant.
"In Obitum Mio Johannis Hammond AEnopolae Epitaphium
"Spiritus ascendit generosi Nectaris astra,
"Juxta Altare Calex hic facet ecco sacrum
"Corporu [Greek text] cu fit Communia magna
"Unio tunc fuerit Nectaris et Calicis."
SOHAM
1 To God 2 To Prince 3 Wife 4 Kindred
5 Friend 6 Poor
1 Religious 2 Loyal 3 True 4 Kind
5 Steadfast 6 Dear
1 In Zeal 2 Faith 3 Love 4 Blood
5 Amity 6 And
Store
He hath so lived, and so Deceased
Lie--Here.
_Translation_.
It consists of four lines, each of which contains five ambusses, or ten
syllables (which is evident, from the rhyming) and therefore it should be
read thus:--
To God, to Prince, Wife, Kindred, Friend, the Poor,
Religious, Loyal, True, Kind, Stedfast, Dear.
In Zeal, Faith, Love, Blood, Amity, and Store,
He hath so liv'd, and so Deceas'd, lies here.
The meaning appears to be, that the deceased was Religious to God, Loyal
to his Prince, true to his Wife, Kind to his Kindred, Stedfast to his
Friend, and Dear to the Poor; that he was endued with those qualities all
his life, and died in the possession of them.--As to the Figures, most
likely they were used to distinguish particularly the relation which a
word in one line bore to that, which in another line had the same figure.
* * * * *
At BABRAHAM is this on Orazio Palovicini, who was the last deputed to
this country to collect the Peter pence; but instead of returning to
Rome, he divided the spoil with the Queen, and bought the estate at
Babraham.
Here lies Orazio Palovicin,
Who robb'd the Pope to pay the Queen.
He was a thief. A thief? Thou liest!
For why? He robbed but antichrist.
Him Death with besom swept from Babraham,
Unto the bosom of old Abraham;
Then came Hercules, with his club,
And knocked him down to Beelzebub.
ALL SAINTS', CAMBRIDGE.
She took the cup of life to sip,
Too bitter 'twas to drain;
She put it meekly from her lip,
And went to sleep again.
* * * * *
At WOOD DITTON, on a gravestone in which is fixed an iron dish, according
to the instructions of the deceased:--
On William Symons, ob. 1753, aet. 80.
Here lies my corpse, who was the man
That loved a sop in the dripping pan;
But now, believe me I am dead,
See here the pan stands at my head.
Still for sops to the last I cried,
But could not eat, and so I died.
My neighbours, they perhaps will laugh,
When they do read my epitaph.
CAIUS COLLEGE CHAPEL, A.D. 1613:--
On William Webbe.
A richer Webb than any art can weave,
The Soule that Faith to Christ makes firmly cleave.
This Webbe can Death, nor Devils, sunder nor untwist,
For Christ and Grace both groundwork are and List.
* * * * *
At CASTLE CAMPS the following quaint epitaph on a former rector:--
Mors mortis morti mortem nisi morte dedisset,
AEternae Vitae Janua clausa foret.
The translation is obviously,--
"Unless the Death of Death (Christ) had given death to death by his
own death, the gate of eternal life had been closed."
A poetic specimen of declension!
ST. ANDREW'S CHURCH, CAMBRIDGE.
An angel beckoned and her spirit flew,
But oh! her last look it cut our souls in two.
ST. MARY'S, CAMBRIDGE.
On John Foster, Esq. of that town.
Nomen, decus, Tellus meum,
Quid referunt haec ad te
Genus etiamque meum,
Clarum quid aut humile?
Forsan omnes alios longe
Ego antecellui,
Forsan cunctis aliis valde
(Nam quid tunc?) succubui.
Ut hoc tu vides tumulum
Hospes certe satis est,
Ejus tu scis bene usum
Tegit--"Nihil" interest.
_Translation_.
My name, my country, what are they to thee?
What, whether high or low, my pedigree?
Perhaps I surpassed by far all other men,
Perhaps I fell below them all, what then?
Suffice it, stranger, that thou seest a tomb,
Its use thou knowest; it hides--"no matter whom."
CAMBRIDGE.
Here lies interred, beneath this stone,
The bones of a true hearty one,
Who lived well and died better,
And sings in Heaven Glory for ever.
ELY.
In the Cathedral is the following numerical curiosity:--
Human Redemption.
590 x 590 x 590
Born * Sara * Watts
Died
600 x 600 x 600
30 x 00 x 33
Aged
y 30 x 00 x 33
m 3 x d 31 -- 3
h 3 x 3 x 3 x 12
Nations make fun of his
Commands.
S. M. E.
Judgments begun on Earth.
In memory of
James Fountain,
Died August 21, 1767,
Aged 60 years.
* * * * *
Philippa Brown, died November 22nd, 1738, aged 63.
Here I lie, without the door,
The church is full, 'twill hold no more;
Here I lye, the less I pay,
And still I lie as warm as they.
When thou art dead, let this thy comfort be,
That all the world by turn, must follow thee.
* * * * *
On Luke Simon, died May 25, 1784, aged 63.
Man's life's a snare, a labyrinth of woe,
Which mortal men are doomed to struggle this;
To-day he's great, to-morrow he's undone,
And thus with hope and fear he travels on:
Till some disease, or else old age,
Calls us poor mortals trembling off the stage.
Cheshire.
Copied from the tombstone of Mr. Samuel Johnson, commonly called Maggoty
Johnson, who was interred in a plantation or wood, belonging to the Earl
of Harrington, in Gawsworth, near Macclesfield, Cheshire.
Under this stone
Rest the remains of Mr. Samuel Johnson, afterwards ennobled with the
grander title of Lord Flame. Who, after having been in his life
distinct from other men by the eccentricities of his genius, chose to
retain the same character after his death, and was, at his own
desire, buried here, May 5th, 1773, aged 82 yrs.
Stay thou, whom chance directs, or ease persuades
To seek the quiet of these Sylvan shades;
Here, undisturb'd and hid from vulgar eyes,
A Wit, Musician, Poet, player lies;
A dancing master, too, in grace he shone,
And all the acts of Opera were his own;
In comedy well skill'd he drew Lord Flame,
Acted the part and gained himself the name.
Averse to strife, how oft he'd gravely say
These peaceful groves should shade his breathless clay;
That, when he rose again, laid here alone,
No friend and he should quarrel for a bone;
Thinking, that were some old lame Gossip nigh,
She possibly might take his leg or thigh.
PRESBURY.
Beneath this stone lyes Edward Green,
Who for cutting stone famous was seen.
But he was sent to apprehend
One Joesph Clarke, of Kerredge End,
For stealing Deer of Squire Dounes,
Where he was shot, and died o'th wounds.
DAVENHAM.
On David Berkenhead.
A tailor by profession,
And in the practice, a plain and honest man.
He was a useful member of society;
For, though he picked holes in no man's coat,
He was ever ready to repair
The mischief that others did.
And whatever _breaches_ broke out in _families_,
He was the man to mend _all_,
And make matters up _again_.
He lived and died respected.
Forty years' service in Lord Penryhn's family, induced Lady Penryhn to
bestow this stone to his memory.
CHESTER.
On an Old Woman who sold Pots.
Beneath this stone lies Cath'rine Gray,
Changed to a lifeless lump of clay.
By earth and clay she got her pelf,
Yet now she's turn'd to Earth herself.
Ye weeping friends, let me advise,
Abate your grief, and dry your eyes.
For what avails a flood of tears?
Who knows, but in a run of years,
In some tall pitcher or broad pan,
She in her shop may be again?
CHESTER.
Periwinks! Periwinkle! was ever her cry,
She laboured to live Poor and honest to die;
At the last day Again how her old Eyes will twinkle,
For no more will she cry, Periwinks! Periwinkle!
Ye Rich, to Virtue's want rejoicing give,
Ye Poor, by her Example learn to live.
* * * * *
On a Sexton.
Hurra! my brave Boys, let's rejoice at his fall,
For if he had lived he had Buried us all.
WESTON.
On a Parish Church.
There lies entomb'd within this vault so dark,
A Tailor, cloth draw'r, soldier, and a clerk.
Death snatch'd him hence, and also from him took
His needle, thimble, sword, and prayer book.
He could not work nor fight, what then?
He left the world, and faintly cry'd--Amen.
ST. JOHN'S CHURCH, CHESTER.
On a swift-footed Man.
Here lies the swift racer; so fam'd for his running,
In spite of his boasting, his swiftness and cunning,
In leaping o'er hedges, and skipping o'er fields,
Death soon overtook him, and tript up his heels.
GAWSWORTH.
Reader, take notice,
That on ye 12 Feby 1760,
Tho: Corbishley,
A brave veteran Dragoon
Here went into his quarters.
But remember that when
The trumpet calls
He'll out and march again.
Cornwall.
TRURO.
A Dyer born, a dyer bred,
Lies numbered here among the dead;
Dyers, like mortals doomed to die,
Alike fit food for worms supply.
Josephus Dyer was his name,
By dyeing he acquired fame;
'Twas in his forty-second year,
His neighbours kind did him inter.
Josephus Dyer, his first son,
Doth also lie beneath this stone;
So likewise doth his second boy,
Who was his parents' hope and joy.
His handiwork did all admire,
For never was a better dyer.
Both youths were in their fairest prime,
Ripe fruitage of a healthful clime;
But nought can check Death's lawless aim,
Whosoever life he choose to claim;
It was God's edict from the throne,
"My will upon earth shall be done."
Then did the active mother's skill
The vacancy with credit fill,
Till she grew old, and weak, and blind,
And this last wish dwelt on her mind--
That she, when dead, should buried be
With her loved spouse and family,
At last Death's arm her strength defied;
Thus all the dyeing Dyers died.
"A prolonged medical statement of the disease of which the departed may
chance to have died, is extremely popular. At Acton, in Cornwall, there
is this particular account of how one Mr. Morton came by his end:--
"Here lies entombed one Roger Morton,
Whose sudden death was early brought on;
Trying one day his corn to mow off,
The razor slipped and cut his toe off:
The toe, or rather what it grew to,
An inflammation quickly flew to;
The parts they took to mortifying,
And poor dear Roger took to dying."
* * * * *
"Here is what a Cornish gentleman finds it in his heart to inscribe upon
his dear departed:--
"My wife is dead, and here she lies,
No man laughs and no man cries,
Where she's gone, or how she fares,
Nobody knows and nobody cares."
PENRYN.
Here lies William Smith,
And what is somewhat rarish,
He was born, bred, and
Hanged in this parish.
CALSTOCK.
Susanna Jones,
1812.
All you that read those lines
Would stop awhile and think,
That I am in eternity,
And you are on the brink.
* * * * *
Mary Matthews,
1846.
This harmless dove, our tender love,
Flew from this world of vice,
To peace and rest, for ever blest,
With Christ in Paradise.
ST. PAUL'S CHURCHYARD, MOUSEHOLE.
On Dolly Pentreath.
Old Doll Pentreath, one hundred age and two,
Both born and in Paul parish buried too;
Not in the church 'mongst people great and high,
But in the church-yard doth old Dolly lie!
STRATTON.
Life's like an Inn, think man this truth upon,
Some only breakfast and are quickly gone;
Others to dinner stay and are full fed,
The oldest man but sups and goes to bed.
Large is his score who tarries through the day,
Who goes the soonest has the least to pay.
SOUTH PETHERWIN.
Beneath this stone lies Humphrey and Joan,
Who together rest in peace,
Living indeed,
They disagreed,
But now all quarrels cease.
LANDULPH.
Here lyeth the body of Theodore Paleologus, of Pesaro, in Italye,
descended from the imperyal line of the last Christian Emperor of Greece,
being the sonne of Camillo, the sonne of Prosper, the sonne of Theodore,
the sonne of John, the sonne of Thomas, the second brother of Constantine
Paleologus, that rayned in Constantinople until subdued by the Turks, who
married with Mary, the daughter of William Ball, of Hadlye, in Suffolk,
gent., and had issue five children, Theodore, John, Ferdinando, Maria,
and Dorothy; and departed this life at Clyfton, the 21st of January,
1636.
* * * * *
On Sir Francis Vere.
When Vere sought death, arm'd with his sword and shield,
Death was afraid to meet him in the field;
But when his weapons he had laid aside,
Death, like a coward, struck him, and he died.
ST. AGNES.
Here lies the body of Joan Carthew,
Born at St. Columb, died at St. Cue,
Children she had five,
Three are dead, and two alive,
Those that are dead chusing rather
To die with their Mother, than live with their Father.
GUNWALLOE.
Read backwards or forwards--
Shall we all die?
We shall die all.
All die shall we--
Die all we shall.
GRADE.
Date 1671.
Why here?--why not, it's all one ground,
And here none will my dust confound.
My Saviour lay where no one did--
Why not a member as his head,
No quire to sing, no bells to ring,
Why so thus buried was my king.
I grudge the fashion of the day
To fat the church and stane the lay,
Though nothing now of the be seen,
I hope my name and bed be green.
CALSTOCK.
James Berlinner, killed at Huel Bedford, 1844.
Consider well both old and young,
Who by my grave do pass,
Death soon may come with his keen scythe,
And cut you down like grass.
Tho' some of you perhaps may think
From danger to be free,
Yet in a moment may be sent,
Into the grave like me.
* * * * *
William Kellaway,
1822.
My body is turned to dust,
As yours that living surely must,
Both rich and poor to dust must fall,
To rise again, when Christ doth call.
* * * * *
Elizabeth Roskelly,
1844.
Farewell, dear husband, I bid adieu,
I leave nine children to God and you;
I hope you'll live in peace and love,
I trust we all shall meet above.
Tho' months and years in pain and tears,
Through troubled paths I've trod,
My Saviour's voice bids me rejoice,
And calls my soul to God.
ST. NEOT.
Here lieth the body of John Robyns, of this parish, buried the 27th day
of December, 1724, about the 80th year of his age.
"Prosopeia Defuncti."
"Mark thou that readest, and my case behold,
Ere long thou shalt be closed in death's fold,
As well as I; nothing on earth can save
Our mortal bodies, from the darksome grave.
Then timely think thereon, to mind thy end;
Wisely to be prepared when God shall send
To fetch thee hence; and then thou shalt but die,
To live at rest with Christ eternally.
"Here lieth John Robyns, in his bed of dust,
Who in the Lord did ever put his trust;
And dying, gave a pension to the poor,
Yearly for ever, which unlocks the door
Of everlasting bliss, for him to reign
With Christ his head, his great, and truest gain:
And with the holy angels sit and sing
Eternal anthems to the heavenly king."
"If this stone be not kept in repair,
The legacy devolves unto his heir."
BODMIN.
Here lies the Body of John Meadow,
His life passed away like a shadow.
TRURO.
Here lies we
Babies three,
Here we must lie
Until the Lord do cry,
"Come out, and, live wi' I!"
Derbyshire.
BAKEWELL.
On a defunct Parish Clerk.
The vocal Powers here let us mark,
Of Philip our late Parish Clerk,
In Church was ever heard a layman,
With clearer voice say Amen?
Who now with Hallelujah sound
Like him can make the roofs rebound?
The Choir lament his choral tones;
The town so soon here lie his bones.
Sleep undisturbed within thy peaceful shrine,
Till angels wake thee with such notes as thine.
Devonshire.
STOKE FLEMING.
By Dr. Walcot, alias Peter Pindar.
To the Memory of Margaret Southcotte, who died the 27th of August, 1786,
aged 12 years and 9 months.
Beneath this stone, in sweet repose,
The friend of all, a fair one lies:
Yet hence let Sorrow vent her woes,
Far hence let Pity pour her sighs;
Tho' every hour thy life approv'd,
The muse the strain of grief forbears;
Nor wishes, tho' by all belov'd,
To call thee to a world of cares.
Best of thy sex, alas! farewell,
From this dark scene remov'd to shine,
Where purest shades of mortals dwell,
And virtue waits to welcome thine.
An ill-natured critic wrote the following under these beautiful lines:--
Can a Southcotte be said to deserve all the praise
Which above in the rhymes may be seen?
But 'tis not impossible, since the stone says
She had not reached the age of thirteen!
LYDFORD.
"Here lies, in a _horizontal_ position,
the outside _case_ of
George Routleigh, Watchmaker,
whose abilities in that line were an honour to his
profession.
Integrity was the _mainspring_, and prudence the _regulator_
of all the _actions_ of his life;
Humane, generous, and liberal, his _hand_ never _stopped_
till he had relieved distress:
So nicely _regulated_ was his _movements_,
that he never _went wrong_,
except when _set a-going_
by people who did not know _his key_:
Even then he was easily _set right_ again.
He had the art of disposing of his _Time_,
so well,
That his _hours_ glided away in one
continual _round_ of pleasure and delight,
Till an unlucky _moment_ put a _period_ to his existence.
He departed this life November 14, 1802,
aged 57, _wound up_,
in hopes of being taken in _hand_ by his _Maker_:
and of being thoroughly _cleaned_, _repaired_, and _set a-going_
for the world to come."
TAVISTOCK.
Under this stone lies three children dear,
Two be buried at Tawton, and the other here?
* * * * *
Here is a still more entertaining one, upon a certain lady in Devonshire,
singularly free from any nonsensical pretence or idle bravado:--
"Here lies Betsy Cruden,
She wood a leaf'd but she cooden,
'Twas na grief na sorrow as made she decay,
But this bad leg as carr'd she away."
KINGSWEAR.
Vos qui ici venez
Pur l'alme Philip priez,
Trente jours de pardon
Serra vostre guerdon.
KING'S TEIGNTON.
On Richard Adlam.
Richardus Adlam hujus ecclesiae Vicarius obit
Feb. 10, 1670. Apostrophe ad Mortem.
"Dam'n'd tyrant, can't profaner blood suffice?
Must priests that offer be the sacrifice?
Go tell the genii that in Hades lye
Thy triumphs o'er this Sacred Calvary,
Till some just Nemesis avenge our cause,
And force this kill-priest to revere good laws!"
EXETER.
Billeted here by death
In quarters I remain,
When the last trumpet sounds,
I'll rise and march again.
KINGSBRIDGE.
On a man who was too poor to be buried with his relations in the
Church:--
Here lie I, at the Chancel door;
Here I lie, because I'm poor;
The further in the more to pay;
Here I lie as warm as they!
BIDEFORD.
"Her marriage day appointed was,
And wedding-clothes provided,
But when the day arrived did,
She sickened and she died did."
* * * * *
"Here lies two brothers by misfortune surrounded,
One died of his wounds and the other was drownded."
MILTON ABBOT.
To Bartholomew Doidge--And Joan his wife.
Joan was buried the 1st day of Feby.' 1681.
Bartholomew was buried the 12th day of Feby.' 1681.
"She first deceas'd--he a little try'd
"To live without her--lik'd it not, and died."
AULIS-COMBE.
Here lie the remains of James Pady, Brickmaker, late of the parish, in
hopes that his clay will be remoulded in a workmanlike manner, far
superior to his former perishable materials.
Keep death and Judgement always in your eye,
Or else the devil off with you will fly,
And in his kiln with brimstone ever fry.
If you neglect the narrow road to seek,
Christ will reject you, like a half Burnt Brick.
MAKER.
John Phillips, 1837.
Vain man, in health and strength do not confide,
This I enjoyed, yet in my bloom I died.
Not long before as likely for to live,
As any of the livliest sons of Eve.
But death may come in an untimely way,
Therefore prepare against that solemn day.
* * * * *
John Linning, 1824.
Stop, reader! stop and view this stone,
And ponder well where I am gone.
Then, pondering, take thou home this rhyme--
The grave next opened may be thine.
* * * * *
Richard Snell, 1801.
At first I had a watery grave,
Now here on earth a place I have;
Wife and children don't weep for me,
Fortune and Fate none can forsee.
CREDITON.
On Eadulph, Bishop of Devon, ob. 932.
Sis testis Christe, quod non jacet hic lapis iste,
Corpus ut ornetur, sed spiritus ut memoretur.
Quisquis eris qui transiris, sta, perlege, plora;
Sum quod eris, fueramq; quod es; pro me precor ora.
Christ! bear me witness, that this stone is not
Put here t'adorn a body, that must rot;
But keep a name, that it mayn't be forgot.
Whoso doth pass, stay, read, bewail, I am
What thou must be; was what thou art the same;
Then pray for me, ere you go whence ye came.
LYDFORD.
Elizabeth Farington, wife of John Farington, of the county of Nottingham.
Twenty-five Knights were born in this family. 1738.
In Oxford born, in Lydford dust I lie,
Don't break my grave until ye judgment day.
Then shall I rise, in shining glory bright,
To meet my Lord with comfort and delight.
BRENT-TOR.
Wife of John Coleirm. 1694.
If thou be curious, friend, peruse this stone;
If thou be not soe, pray let it alone.
Against Death's poison Virtue's the best art,
When good men seem to die, they but depart.
Live well, then, all; with us thoult feele,
Bare dying makes no Death, but dying _weal_?
[The last word was obliterated.]
WHITECHURCH.
John Spry and Margaret his wife.
1738.
In a good old age,
By death we did fall,
And here we must lie
Until Christ doth call.
* * * * *
Gregory Nicholas. 1840.
--Sleep here awhile, Thou Dearest
Part of me, and in a little while I'll
Come and sleep with thee.
* * * * *
Thomas Ching. 1857.
In health and strength from home I went,
I thought so to return;
But while at work I lost my life,
And left my friends to mourn.
Then thou who knowest my fate,
While pondering o'er my sod,
So short may be thy date,
"Prepare to meet thy God."
TIVERTON.
On the tomb of Edward Courtenay, third Earl of Devon, commonly called
"the blind and good Earl," an Epitaph, frequently quoted, appears. The
Earl died in 1419, and his Countess was Maud, daughter of Lord Camoys.
Hoe! hoe! who lies here?
I, the goode Erle of Devonshire;
With Maud, my wife, to me full dere,
We lyved togeather fyfty-fyve yere.
What wee gave, wee have;
Whatt wee spent wee had;
What wee left, we loste.
WHITCHURCH.
Richard Shortridge. 1831.
Hark! what is that noise so mournful and slow,
That sends on the winds the tickings of woe,
In sound like the knell of a spirit that's fled,
And tells us, alas! a brother is dead?
Yes, gone to the grave is he whom we lov'd
And lifeless the form that manfully mov'd,
The clods of the valley encompass his head,
This tombstone reminds us our brother is dead.
Dorsetshire.
WIMBORNE.
John Penny.
Here honest John, who oft the turf had paced,
And stopp'd his mother's earth, in earth is placed,
Nor all the skill of John himself could save,
From being stopp'd within an earthly grave.
A friend to sport, himself of sporting fame,
John died, as he had lived, with heart of game--
Nor did he yield until his mortal breath
Was hard run down by that grim sportsman--Death.
Reader, if cash thou art in want of any,
Dig four feet deep, and thou wilt find--a Penny.
EAST KNOWLE TURNPIKE.
Since Man to Man is so unjust,
That no Man knows what man to trust,
My Roads are good, my Toll's just,
Pay to-day, to-morrow I'll trust.
WYKE.
In memory of Eniah Harisdin.
Also 4 sons who received the shock,
Whereof 3 lies here, and one do not.
What caused their parents for to weep,
Because that one lies in the Deep.
LILLINGTON.
I poorly lived, I poorly died,
And when I was buried nobody cried.
* * * * *
Not born, not dead, not christen'd, not begot,
So! here she lies, that was, and that was not;
She was born, baptized, is dead, and what is more,
Was in her life, not honest, not a -----
Reader, behold a wonder rarely wrought,
And whilst thou seem'st to read, thou readest _not_.
DORCHESTER.
Frank from his Betty snatch'd by Fate,
Shows how uncertain is our state;
He smiled at morn, at noon lay dead--
Flung from a horse that kick'd his head,
But tho' he's gone, from tears refrain,
At judgment he'll get up again.
SILTON.
Here lies a piece of Christ--
a star in dust;
A vein of gold--a china dish,
that must--
Be used in Heaven, when God
shall feast the just.
Durham.
QUARRINGTON.
To the memory of Thomas Bouchier, dated 1635.
The petterne of conjugale love, the rare
Mirroure of father's care;
Candid to all, his ev'ry action penn'd
The copy of a frend,
His last words best, a glorious eve (they say)
Foretells a glorious day,
Erected and composed with teares by his pensive
sonne, James Bouchier.
* * * * *
Amongst the ludicrous and eccentric Epitaphs, perhaps one of the worst is
that at Gateshead, on Robert Trollop, architect of the Exchange and Town
Court of Newcastle:--
"Here lies Robert Trollop,
Who made yon stones roll up:
When death took his soul up,
His body filled this hole up."
Essex.
BRENTWOOD.
"Here lies Isaac Greentree."
A man passing through the churchyard wrote as follows:--
There is a time when these green trees shall fall,
And Isaac Greentree rise above them all.
MESSING.
Here lieth buried
John Porter, Yeoman,
who died 29th of April, 1600,
who had issue eight sons and
four daughters by one woman.
Learn to live by faith, as I did live before,
Learn u to give in faith, as I did at my door,
Learn u to keep by faith, as God be still thy store,
Learn u to lend by faith, as I did to the poor;
Learn u to live, to give, to keep, to lend, to spend,
That God in Christ, at day of death, may prove thy friend.
CHELMSFORD.
Jane L. Andrews, aet. 22.
How could we wish for her to stay below,
When joys in heaven for her prepared?
May we, like her, our passport have, and know,
Assuredly, that we shall gain admittance there;
Then will her joys be ours, and own her cry,--
We are content to live, but we would rather die.
* * * * *
"Here lies the man Richard,
And Mary his wife;
Their surname was Pritchard
They lived without strife;
And the reason was plain,--
They abounded in riches,
They had no care or pain,
And his wife wore the breeches."
* * * * *
Martha Blewitt,
of the Swan, Baythorn-End,
of this Parish,
buried May 7th, 1681.
Was the wife of nine Husbands
successively, but the 9th outlived her.
The Text to her Funeral Sermon was:--
"Last of all the Woman died also."
MALDON.
To the memory of Herbert George Anna, a third child, all born at one
birth, the son and daughters of Samuel and Mary Lines, of this parish,
who departed this life 30th of April, 1847, aged 3 days.
Weep not for me my mother dear,
Rather be you glad;
In this world our time was short,--
The longer rest we have.
STANFORD.
Here lies
the body of Richard Clarke,
who died ----
Aged -- years,
Who lies here? Who do you think?
Poor old Clarke--give him some drink.
What! dead men drink? The reason why,--
When he was alive he was always dry.
And four of his children.
LITTLE ILFORD.
In Memory of
Smart Leithceulier, Esq.
A Gentleman of polite literature and elegant taste; an encourager of art
and ingenious artists; a studious promoter of literary inquiries; a
companion and friend of learned men; industriously versed in the science
of antiquity; and richly possessed of the curious productions of Nature:
but who modestly desired no other inscription on his tomb than what he
had made the rule of his life:--
"To do justly--to love mercy--
And to walk humbly with his God."
Born, November 3, 1701. Died without issue.
August 27, 1760.
GREAT COGGESHALL.
To the Memory of
Thomas Hanse.
"Lord, thy grace is free,--why not for me?"
This man dying greatly in debt, and being a bankrupt, one of his
creditors, being ruined by him, wrote under it:--
And the Lord answered and said,--
"Because thy debts a'nt paid!"
ROXWELL.
J. F. Hefeall.
With long affliction I was sore oppressed,
Till God in goodness kindly gave me rest;
I left my widow'd wife and children dear
To His all gracious, providential care,
Who said do thou alone depend--
Who am the widow and the orphan's friend.
STONDON.
"Who lists to se and knowe himselfe,
May loke upon this glase,
And vew the beaten pathe of dethe,
Which he shall one day passe;
Which way J. Rainford Kellingworth,
With patient mind, have gone,--
Whose body here, as death hath changed,
Lies covered with this stone;
When dust to dust is brought again,
The earth she hath her owne,--
This shall the lot of all men be,
Before the trumpe be blowne!"
April 17th, 1575.
WALTHAM ABBEY.
To Sir Edward Denny.
"Learn, curious reader, ere thou pass,
That once Sir Edward Denny was
A courtier of the chamber,
A soldier of the fielde,--
Whose tongue could never flatter,
Whose heart could never yield!"
* * * * *
On a decayed monument in Horndon Church is the following inscription:--
"Take, gentle marble, to thy trust,
And keep unmixed this _sacred dust_--
Grow moist sometimes that I may see
Thou weep'st in sympathy with me;
And when, by him I here shall sleep,
My ashes also safely keep--
And from rude hands preserve us both, until
We rise to Sion's Mount from Horndon-on-the-Hill."
* * * * *
Paul Whitehead, Esq.
Of Twickenham, December, 1774.
"Unhallow'd hands, this urn forbear,
No gems, nor Orient spoil,
Lie here conceal'd, but what's more rare,--
A _heart_ that knows no guile!"
STANFORD.
On a brass plate in this church is the following inscription:--
"Before this tabernaculle lyeth buryed Thomas Greene, some tyme bayle
of this towne, Margaret, and Margaret, his wyves--which Thomas dyed
the 8th day of July, 1535. The which Thomas hath wylled a prest to
syng in this church for the space of 20 years, for hym, his wyves,
his children, and all men's soules. And, moreover, he hath wylled an
obyte, to be kept the 8th day of July, for the term of twenty years,
for the soules aforesaid, and, at every tyme of the said obyte,
bestowed 20s. of good lawful money of England."
* * * * *
On the south wall are the following lines, ih memory of Anne, wife of
William Napper, who died in 1584:--
In token of whose vertuous lyfe,
And constant sacred love,
And that her memory should remaine,
And never hence remove,
Her husband, in his tyme of lyfe,
This monument did leave his wyfe.
CHIGWELL.
This disease you ne'er heard tell on,--
I died of eating too much mellon;
Be careful, then, all you that feed--I
Suffered because I was too greedy.
LEIGH.
Here lies the body of Mary Ellis, daughter of Thomas Ellis, and Lydia,
his wife, of this parish. She was a virgin of virtuous character, and
most promising hopes. She died on the 3rd of June, 1609, aged _one
hundred and nineteen_.
Gloucestershire.
MINCHIN HAMPTON.
On Anne, daughter of Joseph Baynham,
Died 16th Aug. 1632.
Shee had not spunn out Thirtie dayes,
but God from paine took her to joyes;
Let none their trust in worldly Bliss,
All youth and age must come to This,
but Manner how, place where, time when,
Is known to God, but not to men;
Watch, Pray, Repent, and sinne forsake,
Lest, unprepared, Death thee should take,--
Then happy Thou that so shall dye,
To Live with God Eternalye.
RENDCOMBE.
In Memory of Robert Berkeley, Esq. who died
Feb ye 2nd, 1690, aged 76 yeares.
And Rebecca, his wife, who died August ye 16th, 1707,
Aged 83. This monument was erected
by their most Dutiful and most obsequious
Daughter, Rebecca Berkeley.
PAINSWICK.
My time was come! My days were spent!
I was called--and away I went! ! !
BRISTOL.
On Thos. Turar and Mary, his wife. He was Master of the Company of
Bakers.
Like to the baker's _oven_ is the grave,
Wherein the bodyes of the faithful have
A setting in, and where they do remain,
In hopes to rise and to be _drawn_ again;
Blessed are they who in the Lord are dead,
Tho' set like _dough_ they shall be drawn like _bread_!
* * * * *
Ye witty mortals! as you're passing by,
Remark that near this monument doth lie,
Centered in dust,
Described thus:
Two Husbands, two Wives,
Two Sisters, two Brothers,
Two Fathers, a Son,
Two Daughters, two Mothers,
A Grandfather, a Grandmother, a Granddaughter,
An Uncle, and an Aunt--their Niece follow'd after!
This catalogue of persons mentioned here
Was only five, and all from incest free!
* * * * *
I went and 'listed in the Tenth Hussars,
And gallopped with them to the bloody wars;
"Die for your sovereign--for your country die!"
To earn such glory feeling rather shy,
Snug I slipped home. But death soon sent me off,
After a struggle with the hooping cough!
* * * * *
Here lies poor Charlotte,
Who died no harlot;
But in her virginity,
Of the age nineteen,
In this vicinity,
Rare to be found or seen.
BERKELEY.
Here lies the Earl of Suffolk's fool,
Men call'd him Dicky Pearce,
His folly serv'd to make folks laugh,
When wit and mirth were scarce.
Poor Dick, alas! is dead and gone!
What signifies to cry?
Dickeys enough are still behind,
To laugh at by and by.
Buried 1728.
CIRENCESTER.
Our bodies are like shoes, which off we cast,--
Physic their coblers, and Death their last.
* * * * *
Mercye, God of my misdede;
Ladye, help at my most neede;
On a brass plate under theyre feete,
Reye gracious I ha to Endles lyfe at thy grete
dome, where alle Schalle apere, Hughe Norys Groe, and
Johan, hys wyf, now dede in Grave and Buryed here;
Yo P'yers desyringe therre soules for chere, the X
day of July, the yere of oure Lorde God, MDCCCCCXXIX.
This epitaph appears on a flat stone, with the effigies of a man and
woman.
* * * * *
On Two Infants.
Two lovelier babes ye nare did se
Than God A'mighty gaed to we,
Bus the was o'ertaken we agur (ague) fits,
And hare tha lies as dead as nits!
NORTH CERNEY.
Here lieth, ready to start, in full hopes to save his distance,
Timothy Turf, formerly Stud Groom to Sir Mamaduke Match'em, and
Late Keeper of the Racing Stables on Cerney Downs:--
But
Was beat out of the world on the 1st of April last, by
that inivincible
ROCKINGHAM DEATH.
N.B.--He lived and died an honest man.
CHELTENHAM.
"Here lies I and my three daughters,
Killed by a drinking the Cheltenham waters;
If we had stuck to Epsom salts,
We'd not been a lying in these here vaults."
MINCHIN HAMPTON.
To the Memory of Jeremiah Buck, Esq. died 1653.
J Intomb'd here lies a pillar of the State,--
E Each good man's friend, to th' Poor compassionate,
R Religion's patron, just men's sure defence,
E Evil men's terror, guard of innocence;
M Matchless for virtues which still shine most bright,
I Impartially to all he gave their right;
A Alas! that few to heart do truly lay,
H How righteous men from earth depart away.
B By's death we loose, but he much gain acquires,
V Vnto his body rest: His soul aspires
C Celestial mansions where he, God on high,
K Knows and enjoys to all eternity.
TEWKESBURY.
On Eleanor Freeman, aet. 21.
A Virgin blossom, in her May
Of youth and virtues, turned to clay,--
Rich earth, accomplish'd with those graces,
That adorn saints in heavenly places;
Let not death boast his conquering power,
She'll rise a star that fell a flower.
THORNBURY.
Thomas Tyndale dyed the 28th of April, buried 31 May, 1571.
Ye see how death doth Spare no age nor Kynd,
How I am lapt in Claye and dead you fynde,
My Wife and Children lye here with me,
No Gould, no friend, no strength, could ransome bee,
The end of Vayne delighte and Ill Intente,
The End of Care and Matter to repent,
The End of faere for frynd and Worldly Wo,
By Death we have; and of lyke thousand mo,
And Death of Tymes in us hath made an End,
So that nothing can ower Estate amend.
Who would not be Content such Change to make
For worldly things Eternal Life to take.
RODMARTON.
On a brass plate, let into the stone, is the following:--
Johns Yate Lond. ex Vico Basing Lane Naroec Aldermar.
Renatus 28 Iulii 1594. Coll. Em Cantab Olim Soc.
S. Th. B.
Inductus in hanc Eccl. vespijs Dominicae in Albis 1628
Mortalitatem exvit die 10 Jan Anno Doni 1668.
Nodvs Iob rediens vt venerat ecce recessit
Rodmerton, quondam qui tibi pastor erat.
Is, qvia, qvae solitvs neqvit ex ambone monere
Clamat et e tumvlo praedicat ista svo.
Mors tva, mors Christi, fravs mondi, gloria coeli
Et dolor inferni, svnt meditata tibi.
Trvst not the world remember deth,
And often think of Hell:
Think often on the great reward
For those that do live well.
Repent, amend, then trvst in Christ,
So thov in peace shalt dy;--
And rest in bliss, and rise with Ioy
And raine eternally.
* * * * *