St Peter's, Tawstock
Ledger Stones
In addition to a large number of effigies and mural monuments, St Peter's, Tawstock has large areas of its floor paved with ledger stones dating from the early 17th to early 19th centuries. Some photographs appear courtesy of Irene and Ralph Clucas.
Abrahams of this Parish who Dept
this Life ye 13th day of Feby in ye 63rd
Year of his Age Also Here lyeth the
Body of Sarah the wife of the above
Named John Abraham who Dept this
Life ye 12th day of Septr in the Year of
our Lord 1792 in the 71st Year of
Her Age
Lieth the Body of
GEORGE ADAMS Son of
Mr John ADAMS of Muze in
this Parish He departed this life the
5th of Novbr 1768 Aged 29 Years
With patience to the last he did submit
And Murmur'd not at what the Lord though fit
He with a Christion Corrage did Resign
His Soul to God at his appointed time
Underneath Also Lieth the Body of
JOHN the Son of the above named
Mr John ADAMS. He departed this
life ye 20th of May 1770 Aged 41 Years.
My days of Sickness long have been
and God hath my affliction seen
But Christ by Death hath Set me free
to live with him Eternaly.
In memory of HENRY ADAMS
(Mariner) Son of the above named
Mr JOHN ADAMS. He died at Boston
in New-England the 3d of April 1773
Aged 29 Years
altho at Anchor there he lie with many of his fleet
He will one day set Sail again his Saviour Christ to meet.
Here lyes the body of
Humphrey the only son of
Miles Baron of this parish
by Ann his wife and also
of Mary their only Daughter
who in ye flower of her age
willingly resigned up her soul
unto ye hands of God in hopes
of changinge this life
for a better
She to ye Lamb her Bridegroom hasted hence
Clad in ye pure white robe of Innocence
Her parents thought to match her here: But She
Would only unto Christ expoused be
To mourn for her Virginity forbear
Twas her desire a Virgin Crowne to weare
Like ye wife Virgins well prepar'd was She
And now her Lamp shines to Eternitie
He dyed June 26th 1668 Ætatis 13
She dyed January 13th 1679 Ætatis 28
Body of Richard
Berry of this Parish
who was buried
the 28th of September
Anno Domini
1636
Being of the age of
81
P: Agnes Comer
of Richard Bruton
of this Parish who
was buried the 11 day
of February Ano Dom
1659
_________ to dust thy better p___
_______________ whole thou ___
to when _____ in glory shall appear
to robe with glory those that doe him fear
_____ powerfully ____ this dust of thine
________________________ to _____
Elyzabeth ye Wife of John
Colemor, of this Parish Gent, who
Departed this Life ye 22 day
of March in ye year 1705
Aged 71
of this Parish who died ye 26th of
December 1715 Ætatis Suæ 26
Frail and uncertain are the days of man
who longest lives his life seems but a span
As now I am so all at last you must
one after one be turned i'to dust
Daughtr of Richard Down
Rector of this parish
Who was __________
__________________
__________________
the Remains of ANN
the Wife of ROBERT HALLS
of Birbrook in this Parish
who departed this Life
the 11th day of Novr 1797
in the 58th Year of he Age
lyeth ye Body of
John Hamlen of this Parish youman
who died ye 10th of January
17067 Aged 48 years
Mourn not for mee dear Wife tho in ye
dust I live
Doubt not but wee shall meet againe
at Judgment day
John ye son of John Hatche of
Ailer Esqr who dyed the 4th day of
January 1682 Aged 12 dayes...
This infant to this world did come and try'd
to live in't, like'd it not, and quickly dy'd
And died not so; death's but a rosy bed,
The infant only sleepes hee is not dead.
John, son of John HATCHE and Nancy, was baptised at Tawstock on 25 Dec 1682, and was buried there on 7 Jan 1682/83.
Richard Hernaman of this
parish who departed this life
the 31 Day of December in the
year of 1713 and in the
14 year of his age
Thou that readest these lines about
Thy glass like wise is running out
Thou shall desolve to dust as I
Therefore pray mind eternity
of Phillip Hill Gent
who deceased ye 13th day
of September 1683
If truth Civillity Good Nature Virtues be...
to the Memory of
Mr Philip Hill
of Tawstock Town
who unfortunately lost his life
______________ 1775 Aged 51 Years
Mrs Frances Hill
Wife of the above Mr Philip Hill
after enduring with Christian Patience
a severe and lingering disease
for several years Departed
this life...
To the Memory
of
Catherine Daughter of Mr Philip and
Mrs Frances Hill. She died at Bath
May the 12th 1807
Aged 34 Years.
Her remains are Inter'd at Newton St Loe
Somersetshire.
Stone lie in Hope of a joyful
Resurrection the Bodies of
Henry Holland and Mary his
Wife and Richard their Son
Henry Holland died the 3rd Day
of March 1792 in the 52nd Year
of his Age
Mary his Wife died the 6th Day
of Octr 1793 in the 62nd Year
of her Age
Richard their Son died the ___
day of May 1793 in the 2_
Year of his Age
_____ I lived in Peace I died
__________ but God denied
___________ could Death prevent
My Day _______ soon been spent
Body of William Hood borne
neare Maidstone in Kent hee
was servant to the Right
Honble Countesse Dowa
-ger of Bathe upwards of
20 yeares & dyed in the 50th
yeare of his age & of our Lord
1689
To his God Devout in the church of England true
To his Lady Faithfull He gave Every one his due
___ to his Relatives most kind a pleasant harmlesse friend
Juft in his life and Holy in his End
Here Lyeth also ye Body
of Mary ye wife of ye above
named william Hood who
Departed this Life ye 1st day
of March in ye year of our
Lord 1716 Ætatis Suae 77
_____________hilip Sons of John
_____________lizabeth Hooper
_____________ied Decr ye 16th 1754
_____________months Philip died
_____________r ye Same month
_____________2 yeares & half
MEMORY
of MrJOHN HOOPER
of this Parish, who departed
this Life ye 12th day of July 1766
Aged 45 Years
No friend's, nor yet Physician's art
Could then prevent Deaths fatal dart.
in Memory of
Robert Hughes
aged 27 Years (who was killed by
the Fall of a Tree on the 14th January
1792) is placed here by his Friend
Elizabeth Brayley
Ill fated Tree! that sent unto his Tomb
A Youth so young to meet an early Doom
What though no Marble Columns grade his fame
Let Constancy and Truth protect his Name
Tis zehl Affection that inscribes it here
And genuine Sorrow drops the parting Tear
__________ body of William
__________d by the fall from
__________ of April 1804
__________ Years
__________th I was cut down
__________ Fear
__________ did I think
__________en so near
__________ his action just
__________ is Blest we
____________________
____________________
__________ here by his
__________ Testimony of
__________ Regard
Lyeth in hope of A_________
Resurrection ye B________
EMLIN ye only d__________
of ye above name_________
Thomas CoaKe & ________
MrWILLIAM LEY o ________
in this Parish who _________
This LIfe ye 14the Da_______
1761 Aged 50 Yea____
lyeth the body of
Nicholas Marchant
of this parish who
departed this life ye
8th of June and in
the Year of our Lord
God 1698
Aged 78
Lieth in Hopes of a
joyful Resurrection the
Body of HUMPHREY MILLS
of this Parish who Depart
=ed this Life the 25 day of
Febry 1788 Aged 80 Years
_____rection the body of MAR_
___ Wife of HUMPHRY MILL_
_____is Parish Who deParted th__
____ the 7th Day of May 1758 in
the 51st year of her Age
of William Paget of
Tawstocke, Esq. Sonne
of Mr Wm Paget of
Suus et odor est
decerptis
M S
inc fitus est GULIELMUS PAGETTUS
Genere ciarus clarior Moribus
Malis Temporibus Bona Christianus
Huc suas legauit Reliquias
Nunquam tamen minus Ecclesia Gievla
homiam melius ut deamaret Patriam peragrauit Alienca
Eundem Domi se deferens qui exiit (sed Limatiorem) ANGLUM
Quin et pia Antiperistasi
Ab Exicrorum Vitiis suis usqß et usqß accendit Virtutes
Linguarum Musicæ et Mathimaticus per quam Onustas Thymo
Maritus, qualem Quælibet optasset uxor
Sola qualem meruit Optima
Vis scire quir Pater suit Disce (Lector) GRATIAMRUM ab Oculis
Tot enin illi supersunt Filia flebile adhuc et Patris Ambulans
EPITAPHIUM
oBIIT 1no die IXbris Anno Dni MDCXLVIII
Silence (deare shado) wil best thy Grave become
And Greife that is not only deep but dumbe
For who'll believe our vocall teares, but see
The very tongues themselves, here dead in Thee
Twelve welspunn lustres send thee speechlesse hence
Twice child in age, always in Innocence
to smooth thy Entrace, where true blisse doth raigne
NATURE & GRACE would have thee BORNE AGAINE
Scirtingbeck in the
county of Yorke who
deceased Novembr 1
Here lyeth also Martha the
daughter of William Paget who
died the 24 day of June 1680
Martha PAGET was buried on 25 Jun 1680.
Lieth the Body of
William Peace who was
Born in ye Parish of
Frithelstock And Died
in this Parish on ye 6th Day
of Septb and in ye 54th
Year of his Age
Frail and uncertain are ye Days of man
who longest lives his life seems but A span
As now I am so all at last you must
one after one be turned into dust
Richard Ratcliffe of Natson
in this Parish who Departed
this Life the 10th of July 1806
Aged 66 Years
__ Body of ROBERT
Son of ROBt RICHARDS
& ELIZABETH his Wife of
___s Parish who Died May ye ___
Aged two Years and ____
___wel dear Child short was _______
__u didst but look about & went ___
Angels Fa_e we did but _____
___ soon we were depriv'd of _____
___ also Lieth the Body of
___Y Y__ who Died ____
March 1770 Aged ______
Mary YEO was buried on 3 Mar 1770.
the Body of MARY the
Wife of WILLIAM RIDGE
of This Parish who Departed
This life ye 10th Day of April
1762 Aged 48 years
a joyful Resurrection ye
Body of Roger Southwood
of this Parish he departed
this Life ye 27th Day of August
1749 aged 48 years
Also John Hooper his Son in Law
Also Catharine & Elizabethh
Southwood his two Daughters
Son of JAMES & MARY STRIBLING
Of this Parish he died the 17th day of
July 1779 Aged 20 years
Also here lies the Body of JAMES
STRIBLING Senior he died the 5th
Day of May 1784 Aged 59 years
James STRIBLING married Mary WHITE at Tawstock on 1 Feb 1752, and was buried there on 5 May 1784.
Lyeth in hopes
of a joyful Resurre-
ction ye Body of Charity
Wife of John Taylor of this
parish who Two Children
Nicholas Died Janry ye 24th
1764 Aged 5 weeks
Charity Died Febry ye 17th
1764 Aged 27 Years
William Died Febry ye 24th
1764 Aged 10 Weeks
In love we lived in peace we died
our life desired but God denied
if love or care could death prevent
our days would not so soon be spent
Here also Lieth the Body of
JOHN TAYLOR son of ye
above JOHN & CHARITY
TAYLOR he died the 5th of
April 1772 Aged 11 Years
No friends nor yet Physicians art
could...
Charity COMER married John TAYLOR at Tawstock on 25 Dec 1760. She was buried at Tawstock on 22 Feb 1764.
William TAYLOR, son of John TAYLOR and Charity COMER (1731-1764), was baptised at Tawstock on 28 Jan 1764, and was buried there on 26 Feb 1764.
John TAYLOR, son of John TAYLOR and Charity COMER (1731-1764), was buried on 8 Apr 1772.
Lyeth ye Body of Elisabeth
the wife of Jeremiah Taylor of
this parish who Died ye 27yth
day of July 1762 Aged 32
Years
of Robert Wichalse
of this parish Gent
who was buried th
28 Day of August
1643
Reader here see a change
Wichalse's the same
in nature that he was
before in name.
of Caleb Penrose of this parish
who Departed this life ye 13
day of August 1721
in ye 25 year of his Age
Here Also ye Body of Rachel
the wife of ye Above Named
Caleb Penrose who Departed
this life ye 26 of february
1729 Aged 69 years
Here lyeth Interred ye Precious
Remaines of Elizabeth Daughtr of Mr
Wm Paget of this Parish Gent & Wife
to Edward Lovet Gent second Son of
Sr Robert Lovet of ye County of Bucks
Kt who for her Piety Obedience Affa-
bility, Modesty & Humility accom-
poneyed wth ye Endowments of Nature
& Choice Education, was a Reproach
to ye Loosnesse of the Age Shee Lived
in & might have served as A Patterne
in ye most Reserved Times
When She had lived neer two years & an
Halfe a Wife & had Obtained of God A Daugh
in Exhange for Her selfe shee left this
Life for A better on ye 1 of March 1656.
To expresse whole Absent worth MARBLE's too weake
Though nature make us weepe Art make us speake
He that would Read a true Inscription
Must look to see it wrote in Flesh not Stone
No Epitaph can teach & act her Part
But th' DECALGUE Impress'd on Her owne Heart
Wing'd wh Her Angel like to Heaven she flied
And went before Cause but to be our Guide
______________
All the ____ of my _____________________
thou wert a Virtious ____________________
Johan the second wife of
Edward Lovet of this
Parish Esqr who departed
this life the first day of
January 1708/9 in the 67th
year of her age
of a Glorius Resurrection the
Body of WILLIAM MARKER
of this Parish Gent: Husband
of two Wifes, the Father of
Eight Children of whom only
one Survived him he departed
this Life ye 1st of March 1771
Aged 55 Years
Here lies Lamented in his Silent Tomb
a tender Parent and a beloved man
His days of Sickness long have been
and God hath his affliction seen
For Sudden Death do well prepare
true Happiness is only there
Martha ye wife of John
Ley of Nottson who dyed
the 10th day of June Anno Dom
1715 Aged 57
Nigh this place Lyeth ye Body
of John Ley Son of ye above
Named John Ley by his
wife Thomasin Daughter of
William Parminter of Stoake
______________________
Reader lett a Stone thee tell
That in this Body there Did Dwell
A Soul as heavenly rich and Good
Seldome like Seen in flesh & blood
And therfore heaven that held itt deare
Did let it stay ye less while here
Mean while his Parents Grive & say
Farwell dear son weel meet another day
Here Lyeth the Body of John Ley
of Nottson Gent Who Deparated
This life the 20th day of January
1735 Aged 74y
Here Lyeth ye Body of Thomas Ley of
Nottson Who Departed This life the
18th Day of April in 1742 Aged 23 years
In love I lived in peace I Died
my Life Desird But God Denid
if love or care could Death prevent
my Days Would not so soon been Spent
John LEY, son of John LEY (1661-1735) and Thomasin PARMINTER, was buried on 28 Feb 1723/24.
John LEY, son of John LEY, was baptised at Tawstock on 24 Aug 1662, and was buried there on 9 Mar 1735/36.
Thomas LEY, son of John LEY (1661-1735) and Thomasin PARMINTER (? -1763), was baptised at Tawstock on 4 Sep 1719. His burial is not recorded in the Tawstock parish register.
of Edward Ley
was buried the
4th day of February
in the year 171011
MEMORY of
THOMAZIN
Daughter of mr GEORGE
ROGERS, by mrs MARY
his Wife, of Nottson in this parish
she departed this Life the 14th of May
1767, Aged 11 Years.
Her youthfull age, the Small-pox did not spare
that mortal sickness, to the young and fair
altho' her Beauty, youth, and Innocence,
against th' unkind disease, was no defence;
Mourn not her Spoted body
whose Soul shall Reigh
In heaven unblimish'd
and secure from stain.
Ætat: 48
Under this Marble lyes a Treasure
Which Earth hath lost and Heaven gain'd,
Wherein we Mortals took just Pleasure
Whilst his blest soul on earth remain'd.
A Lawyer y' desir'd to see
His Clients Right more than his Fee.
Ex Urnis olim Sorres hinc _ollige Lector.
Causidici ex Urna S_____tua qualis erit.
Daughter of William Squier
Wife of James Hearle Dyed
Octob the 11th 1638
The world the flesh
nor devil could make her stray
but she to heaven
did seek finde keep the way
and fitt for Christ
even soe gave up her breath
______________ample
______________and death
________________________
________________________
JAMES HEARLE __________
________________________
________________________
________________________
____________ Life ________
___________ in the age ____
____________tion of _______
____ppinesse to our live_____
____ingdome restored and _____
____ with Angels and Saintes___
____s Nunc Dimittis
Novemb An. Dom 1660
Gentlewoman Mrs Johan Hearle
Wife of Mr James Hearle both
Sleeping here in th_____________
But with a certain F_____________
Last trump to aw_______________
Againe to a Blesse_____________
Hee first deceased shee f________ tried
To live wthout Hime like it ________ died
Th' Exchange not great for H____ may begin
And shine in mortal _________________ sin
Were strangers to Her _________________
Her Company ________________________
Her only businesse & ye Hou____________
Only _________ Her ___________________
A __________________________________
Have mounted ________________________
She lived & therefore died _______________
Take heede a few more such & __________
of Katharine Lake wid
who was buried ye 30
day of May Ano Dom
1660
of Catharine, the
Wife of Richard
Lymbery of this Parish
who through the whole
course of her life, lived in
the true Faith and fear
of God, behaving herself
dutifully to her Parents loving and obedient to her
Husband, and in Christian
love & charity with her
Neighbours. She died in Child-
bed on ye 3rd of July 1713
to ye great grief of all her
Surviving Friends Ætatis suæ 40
Even so it is Death seizeth each degree
not Infantes in ye porch of life are free
The womb a place ordain'd of God to save
to them oft proves no other then a grave
The Mother to yet traveling for breath
endeavring life to give finds present death
__HN HARRIS of Muse in
___ Parish who Departed this
____ the 8th day of March Ano
___n 1735 in the 63d year
of his age
____ Lyeth Also the Body of
___n Harris the wife of the
__ove said John Harris who
____ the 8th day of Septbr in the
___r of 1745 and in the 68th
___r of her age
___ of Dust Christopher
_anders of this Parish
_erchant and _________
His wife Daughter of
John Harris of Barnstaple
Merchant the Both
continued Here to a Good
____ Age and then
exchanged this Life
For a Better
_hristoph_______ 8 of ___
Ano Dm 166_ ætatis Suæ 6_
_r____s March ye First
__o __ 1677 Ætatis Suæ __
__ turtle doves ye liv'd Free From all Strife
Loving Husband Hee Unto his Wife
She to Her Husband Dutifull and kind
Like zachry & Elizabeth their Mind
___o walke uprightly in Gods Command
___w their Soules Doe Rest Safe in Gods Hand
____Dayes of My Appointed time
___te till My Change Come job 14:14
ye Body of William
Smale of this Parish
Servant to ye Honble
Sr Henry Northcote
who Died 23 of
August 1724
Lies the Remains
of Mr JOHN TAMLYN late of
Barum Land surveyor who
Died the 19th day of August
1798 Aged 45 Years
He left a Widow and two Sons
Also the Remains of WILLIAM
TAMLYN Youngest son of the
above named JOHN TAMLYN
who died the 11th day of Septr
1812 Aged 18 Years and 10 Month
Also GRACE widow of the
above JOHN TAMLYN who
died on the 7th day of Feby
1837 Aged 79 Years
And was buried in the same grave
William TAMLYN, son of John TAMLYN and Grace TAMLYN, was baptised at Barnstaple, Devon on 17 Nov 1793, and was buried at Tawstock on 17 Sep 1812.
Grace TAMLYN married John TAMLYN at Tawstock on 22 Jul 1787. She was buried on 7 Feb 1837.
Mary Walter the Wife of
Joseph Walter who departed
this Life the 10th day of June
1813 Aged 46 Years
In Virtuous Paths she always trod
Religion was her Guide
Her soul depends on God alone
A Christian Livd and Died
Lieth in hope of A
Joyfull Resurrection the Body
of Susanna the Wife of Willm Westacott
of this Parish who Departed this Life the
22nd day of May 1792 In the 41 Year of her
Age
Weep not for me my Husband dear
Nor fret within your Breast
for God was pleasd to call me hence
to come unto his Rest
But time will come I hope that we
Shall meet in Heaven again
And with our Blessed Saviour Christ
For ever to Remain
Also the above Willm Westacott who died
June 4th1820 Aged 81 Years
body of Edward
Wyot Gent who
died the 17 day
of August Ano
Domi 1656
Being the Age of 83