CURIOUS EPITAPHS [Illustration: OLD SCARLETT, THE PETERBOROUGH SEXTON.] CURIOUS EPITAPHS _COLLECTED FROM THE GRAVEYARDS OF GREAT BRITAIN AND IRELAND_, WITH Biographical, Genealogical, and Historical Notes. BY WILLIAM ANDREWS, F.R.H.S., Member of the Derbyshire Archæological and Natural History Society. Secretary of the Hull Literary Club. Local Secretary of the National Society for Preserving the Memorials of the Dead. Author of "Historic Romance," "Historic Yorkshire," "Punishments in the Olden Time," "Book of Oddities," "History of the Dunmow Flitch," etc. LONDON: HAMILTON, ADAMS, AND COMPANY. PRINTED BY CHARLES HENRY BARNWELL, HULL. TO WILLIAM, DUKE OF DEVONSHIRE, K.G., ETC., ETC., THIS BOOK IS RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED BY HIS GRACE'S KIND PERMISSION, AS A TOKEN OF GRATITUDE FOR ENCOURAGEMENT AND FAVOURS BESTOWED WHEN THEY WERE MOST NEEDED. W. A. Preface. For many years I have collected curious epitaphs, and in this volume I offer the result of my gleanings. An attempt is herein made to furnish a book, not compiled from previously published works, but a collection of curious inscriptions copied from gravestones. Some of the chapters have appeared under my name in _Chambers's Journal_, _Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News_, _Newcastle Courant_, _People's Journal_, (Dundee), _Press News_, and other publications. I have included a Bibliography of Epitaphs, believing that it will be useful to those who desire to obtain more information on the subject than is presented here. I have not seen any other bibliography of this class of literature, and as a first attempt it must be incomplete. In compiling it I have had the efficient aid of Mr. W. G. B. Page, of the Hull Subscription Library, who has also prepared the Index. I must tender my thanks to the following friends for their valued assistance: Mrs. Geo. Linnæus Banks, author of the "Manchester Man," Mr. W. G. Fretton, F.S.A., Mr. Walter Hamilton, F.R.G.S., Mr. Jno. H. Leggott, F.R.H.S., Rev. R. V. Taylor, B.A., Mr. H. Vickery, and others whose names appear in the following pages. In conclusion, I hope that this book will merit from readers and reviewers a similar welcome to that granted to my former works; in that case I shall have every reason to be satisfied with my pleasant labour. WILLIAM ANDREWS. _Hull Literary Club_, October 1st, 1883. Contents. EPITAPHS ON PARISH CLERKS AND SEXTONS 1 TYPOGRAPHICAL EPITAPHS 14 EPITAPHS ON SPORTSMEN 21 EPITAPHS ON TRADESMEN 33 BACCHANALIAN EPITAPHS 54 EPITAPHS ON SOLDIERS AND SAILORS 65 PUNNING EPITAPHS 84 EPITAPHS ON MUSICIANS AND ACTORS 90 EPITAPHS ON NOTABLE PERSONS 108 MISCELLANEOUS EPITAPHS 150