Stansfeld Family of Sowerby

Memorial

To the Honoured Memory of the Family of STANSFELD of SOWERBY, particularly to the Branch thereof resident at FIELD HOUSE, some of whose Remains were removed from the Site of the Old Church and deposited in a Vault under this New Church AND ABOVE ALL to the revered Memory of his most loving an most beloved Wife MARY, Daughter Of Mr JAMES LORD of TODMORDEN, who died on the 25th Day of February and was buried in the Family Vault on the 5th Day of March 1799. GEORGE STANSFELD Esqr her most afflicted Husband, had placed this Inscription in Testimony of his Gratitude to her, and his most tender and affectionate Love for her. Possessed of all Female Excellencies, she emplyed them diligently in the well ordering of her Family, in Acts of Charity to the Poor and in making her dear Husband one of the happiest men upon Earth. During a severe illness of three Months, convinced of her approaching Dissolution, she was thoroughly prepared for it, and perfectly resigned. Her only Thoughts about this World were her cares for the Happiness of her dear Husband during the Remainder of his Days. Upon this mournful Subject she gave him Counsel with composure whilst her listened with Sorrow and Amazement, and when at the last she desired him to be buried in the same Grave with her he, overwhelmed with Grief, made her that Promise, and will order to to be strictly fulfilled, and he hopes, through the Mercies of his Creator and Redeemer, to have the Blessing of being united with her in the Mansions of Everlasting Happiness.