Part 3

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.

* * * * *

Engraved on the Coffin of Mr. Pitcher, a noted Ale-house keeper in Gloucestershire.

Stop mourning friends and shed a grateful tear Upon thy once loved Pitcher's moving bier, He quits this world without regret or railing, Life's full of pain--he always has been aleing. Resigned he fell contented with his lot, Convinced all Pitchers soon must go to Pot.

BEVERSTONE.

In memory of Katherine Purye, who died Dec. 1, 1604. Ao 1604. Dece 1. AEtat. 67. Quae defuncta jacet saxo tumulata sub illo Bis Cathara, haud ficto nomine, dicta fuit. Nomen utrumque sonat mundam, puramque piamq Et vere nomen quod referebat, erat, Nam puram puro degebat pectore vitam, Pura fuit mundo, nunc mage pura Deo.-- [Greek text] Omnia pura puris, Tit. 1. ver. 15.

She whom this stone doth quietly immure In no feign'd way had twice the name of _Pure_: Pure, pious, clean, each name did signify, And truly was she what those names imply; For in pure paths, while yet she lived, she trod; Pure was she in this world, and now more pure with God.

TETBURY.

In a vault underneath lie interred several of the Saunderses, late of this parish, particulars the last day will disclose.--Amen.

ALMONDBURY.

Here lies alas! long to be lamented, Benjamin Dobbins, Gent., who left his Friends sorrowing. Feb. 2, 1760. Aged 42.

Hampshire.

WINCHESTER.

Here sleeps in peace a Hampshire grenadier, Who caught his death by drinking cold small beer; Soldiers beware, from his untimely fall, And, when your'e hot, drink strong, or none at all.

* * * * *

"Severely afflicted--, yet, when most depressed, Resigned, he endured it as all for the best, Praised God for his goodness, both present and past; He yielded his spirit in peace at the last.

"Let friend forbear to mourn and weep, While in the dust I sweetly sleep; This frailsome world I left behind, A crown of glory for to find.

"While in this world I did remain, My latter days was grief and pain; But, when the Lord He thought it best, He took me into a place of rest."

FRESHWATER.

Joseph Robins, Jany. 21, 1811.

The blustering Winds and raging sea Have tossed me to and fro Tho' some have found their watery Grave, I am Anchored here below; Thus, at an Anchor safe I lie, With the surrounding Fleet, And hope one day we shall set sail, Our Saviour Christ to meet; My change I hope is for the best,-- To live with Christ and be at rest.

MONKS SHERBORN.

William Cullum, d. 1841, aged 20.

Weep not for me, my tender parents dear, Taken from your care in early years; Oh! grieve not, the LORD'S will be done,-- Your dutiful and affectionate son.

BINSTED.

On Hannah, wife of Jeremiah Soffe, died 1832.

When I am dead and in my Grave, And all my Bones are Rotten. This when you see, Remember me, Or lest I should be forgotten.

WHIPPINGHAM, ISLE OF WIGHT.

Thomas Burnett. 1842.

At midnight he was called away From his employment on the sea,-- Altho' his warning was but short, We hope he's reached the heavenly port.

ALRESFORD.

On an Exciseman.

No Supervisor's check he fears, Now, no commissioner obeys; He's free from cares, entreaties, tears, And all the heavenly orb surveys.

ST. LAWRENCE, ISLE OF WIGHT.

To the Memory of Robert Dyer, who was drowned, Aged 19.

Ah! cruel death that would not spare A loving husband was so dear; This world he left, and me behind, The world to try, and friends to find.

* * * * *

Christ our Saviour is above, And him we hope to see-- And all our friends that are behind Will soon come after we.

WINCHESTER CATHEDRAL CHURCHYARD.

This Stone was erected by the Brethren of Lodge CXI. of Free and accepted Masons, As a token of respect for their departed Brother, Jonathan Triggs, who received a Summons From the Great Architect Of the Universe, At the hour of High Twelve, on the 24 day of October. A.L. 5819. A.D. 1819. Aged 38 years.

CARISBROOKE.

On a Loving Couple.

Of life he had the better slice, They lived at once, and died at twice,

Herefordshire.

HEREFORD.

A virtuous woman is 5_s._ 0_d._ {48} to her husband.

* * * * *

Here a lovely youth doth lie, Which by accident did die; His precious breath was forced to yield, For by a waggon he was killed!

* * * * *

Alas! no more I could survive, For I is dead and not alive; And thou and time no longer shalt survive, But be as dead as any man alive.

Hertfordshire.

AMWELL.

That which a Being was--what is it? Show That Being which it was, it is not now; To be what 'tis, is not to be, you see,-- That which now is not, shall a Being be.

ST. ALBANS.

Hic jacet Tom Shorthose,-- Sine tomba, sine sheet, sine riches; Quid vixit,--sine gowne, Sine cloake, sine shirt, sine breeches.

* * * * *

The Dame, who lies interred within this tomb, Had Rachel's charms, and Leah's fruitful womb, Ruth's filial love, and Lydia's faithful heart, Martha's just care, and Mary's better part.

* * * * *

A comparison of the virtues of the deceased and those of Scripture characters is found on a monument of Sir Charles Caesar at Bennington, Herts:--

Nathaniel Daniel Jonathan Uzzita Josephus Simplicitate Toro Pectore Prole Thoro

* * * * *

Beneath this stone, where now your eye you fix, Ann Harris lies, who died in sixty-six; John Harris after her his exit made In eighty-two, and now is with her laid.

* * * * *

"Sacred to the memory of Miss Martha Gwynn, Who was so very pure within, She burst the outer shell of sin, And hatched HERSELF A CHERUBIM."

HODDESDON.

Captain Henry Graves, died 17th Aug. 1702, Aged 52 years.

Here, in one Grave, more than one Grave lies-- Envious Death at last hath gained his prize; No pills or potions could make Death tarry, Resolved he was to fetch away Old Harry. Ye foolish doctors, could you all miscarry? Great were his actions on the boisterous waves, Resistless seas could never conquer Graves. Ah! Colchester, lament his overthow, Unhappily, you lost him at a blow; Each marine hero for him shed a tear, St. Margaret's, too, in this must have a share.

HERTFORD.

WOMAN.

"Grieve not for me, my husband dear, I am not dead, but sleepeth here; With patience wait, prepare to die, And in a short time you'll come to I."

MAN.

"I am not grieved, my dearest life; Sleep on,--I have got another wife; Therefore, I cannot come to thee, For I must go and live with she."

ALDENHAM.

John Robinson.

Death parts the dearest Lovers for awhile, And makes them mourn, who only used to smile, But after Death our unmixt loves shall tie Eternal knots betwixt my dear and I.

Huntingdonshire.

BLUNTISHAM.

On a Wrestler.

Here lyes the Conqueror conquered, Valient as ever England bred; Whom neither art, nor steel, nor strength, Could e'er subdue, till death at length Threw him on his back, and here he lyes, In hopes hereafter to arise.

Kent.

CRAYFORD.

Here lieth the body of Peter Isnel (30 years clerk of this parish.)

He lived respected as a pious and mirthful man, and died on his way to church, to assist at a wedding, on the 31st day of March, 1811, aged 70 years. The inhabitants of Crayford have raised this stone to his cheerful memory, and as a tribute to his long and faithful service.

The life of this clerk was just three score and ten, Nearly half of which time he had sung out _Amen_! In his youth he was married, like other young men, But his wife died one day, so he chanted _Amen_! A second he took--she departed--what then? He married and buried a third with _Amen_; Thus, his joys and his sorrows were treble, but then His voice was deep bass as he sung out _Amen_! On the horn he could blow as well as most men, So his horn was exalted in blowing _Amen_; But he lost all his wind after three score and ten, And now, with three wives, he waits, till again The trumpet shall rouse him to sing out _Amen_!

SNODLAND.

Palmers al our faders were,-- I, a Palmer, lived here, And travylled till, worne with age, I endyd this world's pylgrymage On the blyst Assention-day, In the cheerful month of May, A thousand with foure hundryd seven, And took my jorney hense to Heven!

SANDWICH.

To Thomas, son of Thomas Danson, late a Preacher in this town. Born Oct. 23, 1668; died Oct. 23, 1674.

Upon October's three and twentieth day The world began, (as learned Annals say,) That was this child's birthday, on which he died, The world's end may in his be typified: Oh! happy little world, whose work is done Before the greater, and his rest begun.

WOOLWICH.

Several years since, an inhabitant of Woolwich died, leaving a testamentary order that his tombstone should be inscribed with the well-known lines:--

Youthful reader, passing by, As you are now, so once was I, As I am now, so you must be, Therefore prepare to follow me.

The widow of the deceased, who did not honour her lord more than the ordinary run of wives, obeyed her late husband's injunctions, but added a postscript of her own composition--

To follow you I am not content, Until I know which way you went.

FRINDSBURY.

On Mrs. Lee and her son Tom.

In her life she did her best, Now, I hope her soul's at rest; Also her son Tom lies at her feet, He liv'd till he made both ends meet.

FOLKESTONE.

Sixteen years a Maiden, One twelve Months a Wife, One half hour a Mother, And then I lost my Life.

ROCHESTER.

Though young she was, Her youth could not withstand, Nor her protect from Death's Impartial hand. Like a cobweb, be we e'er so gay, And death a broom, That sweeps us all away.

MAIDSTONE.

"Stop ringers all and cast an eye, You in your glory, so once was I, What I have been, as you may see, Which now is in the belfree."

* * * * *

"God takes the good too good on earth to stay, And leaves the bad too bad to take away."

The person was very aged on whose tomb-stone the above was written!

LEE.

In the village churchyard, near the Castle, is a rather singular inscription upon a gravestone, which was put up by the deceased during his life-time; and when first placed there, had blanks, for inserting his age and the time of his death. These blanks have long since been filled up, and the whole now reads as follows:--

"In memory of James Barham, of this parish, who departed this life Jan. 14, 1818, aged 93 years; and who from the year 1774, to the year 1804, rung, in Kent and elsewhere, 112 peals, not less than 5,040 changes in each peal, & called bobs, &c. for most of the peals; & April 7th & 8th, 1761, assisted in ringing 40,320 bob-majors on Leeds-bells, in 27 hours."

BOBBING.

God gave me at Kinardington in Kent, My native breath, which now alas is spent, My parents gave me Tylden Smith for name, I to the Park farm in this Parish came; And there for many ling'ring years did dwell, Whilst my good neighbours did respect me well. But now my friends, I go by Nature's call, In humble hopes my crimes will measure small. Years following years steal something every day, And lastly steal us from ourselves away. Life's span forbids us to extend our cares, And stretch our hopes beyond our fleeting years. Mary Farminger, my wife, from East Marsh place, Lies mouldering here like me, in hopes of grace.

* * * * *

The following Epitaph is to be found in the parish church of Ightham, erected to Mrs. Selby of the Mote House, Ightham, who was a beautiful worker of Tapestry, whose death is said to have been caused from her pricking her finger when working one Sunday. There is a marble figure of her, holding a steel needle in her hand, and underneath is the following inscription:--

She was a Dorcas, Whose Curious needle turned the abused stage Of this lov'd world, into the goldenage, Whose pen of steele, and silken inck unroll'd The acts of Jonah in records of gold, Whose art disclosed that Plot, which had it taken, Rome had tryumphed, and Britains wall had shaken. She Was In heart a Lydia, and in tongue a Hanna, In zeale a Ruth, in wedlock a Susanna, Prudently simple, providently wary, To the world a Martha, and to Heaven a Mary. Died 1641

STAPLEHURST.

Here lyeth the Body of Mary the daughter of Wm Maiss & Mary his Wife, who died Sept. 9, 1703, aged 22 years.

Here lyes a piece of Heaven, t'others above, Which shortly goes up to the World of Love, The Brightest Sweetest Angels must convey This spotless Virgin on the starry way; That glittering _quire_ sings but a lisping song, Till she appears amidst the shining throng.

SANDWICH.

Robert Needler.

My resting road is found Vain hope and hap adieu, Love whom you list Death hath me rid from you. The Lord did me from _London_ bring, To lay my body close herein. I was my father's only heir, And the first my mother bare. But before one year was spent The Lord his messenger for me sent.

FOLKESTONE.

Rebecca Rogers.

A house she hath it's made of such good fashion, The tenant ne'er shall pay for reparation; Nor will her landlord ever raise her Rent, Or turn her out of doors for non-payment; From chimney money too this Cell is free, To such a house who would not tenant be.

* * * * *

Henry Jeffry, leaving 8 children.

A faithful friend, a father dear, A loving husband lieth here; My time is past, my glass is run, My children dear, prepare to come.

ELTHAM.

My wife lies here beneath Alas! from me she's flown, She was so good, that Death Would have her for his own.

Lancashire.

LIVERPOOL.

On John Scott, a Brewer.

Poor John Scott lies buried here, Tho' one he was both _stout_ and _hale_, Death stretched him on this _bitter bier_, In another world he _hops_ about.

MANCHESTER.

My death did come to pass, Thro' sitting on the derty grass; Here I lie where I fell, If you seek my soul go to Hell.

* * * * *

On a profligate Mathematician.

Here lies John Hill, A man of skill, His age was five times ten: He ne'er did good, Nor ever would, Had he lived as long again.

SOUTHWORTH.

The world is full of crooked streets, Death is a place where all men meets, If life were sold, that men might buy, The rich would live, the poor must die.

OLDHAM.

On Paul Fuller and Peter Potter, buried near each other.

'Tis held by Peter and by Paul, That when we fill our graves or urns, Ashes to ashes crumbling fall, And dust to dust once more returns. So here a truth unmeant for mirth, Appears in monumental lay; Paul's grave is filled with Fuller's earth, And Peter's crammed with Potter's clay.

ROCHDALE.

Tim's Bobbin's Grave.

"Here lies John and with him Mary, Cheek by jowl and nevery vary; No wonder they so well agree, Tim wants no punch, and Moll no tea."

Leicestershire.

In Nichols's history of Leicestershire, is inserted the following Epitaph, to the memory of Theophilus Cave, who was buried in the chancel of the Church of Barrow-on-Soar:--

"Here in this Grave there lies a Cave, We call a Cave a Grave; If Cave be Grave, and Grave be Cave, Then reader, judge, I crave, Whether doth Cave here lie in Grave, Or Grave here lie in Cave: If Grave in Cave here buried lie, Then Grave where is thy victory? Go, reader, and report here lies a Cave, Who conquers death, and buyes his own Cave."