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Reminiscences: a Topographical Account of Market Lavington, Wilts, Its Past and Present Condition.: Also, the Rise and Progress of the Independent Church in That Place. And the Authentic History of David Saunders, the Pious Shepherd of Salisbury Plain.Atley, Henry

History

Reminiscences: a Topographical Account of Market Lavington, Wilts, Its Past and Present Condition.: Also, the Rise and Progress of the Independent Church in That Place. And the Authentic History of David Saunders, the Pious Shepherd of Salisbury Plain.

Name: Reminiscences: a Topographical Account of Market Lavington, Wilts, Its Past and Present Condition.: Also, the Rise and Progress of the Independent Church in That Place. And the Authentic History of David Saunders, the Pious Shepherd of Salisbury Plain.
Author: Atley, Henry

Atley, Henry

Market Lavington (England); Saunders, David, 1717-1796

ERECTED IN THE YEAR 1829.
                               TO THE MEMORY OF
                               DAVID SAUNDERS,

                   KNOWN THROUGH EVERY QUARTER OF THE GLOBE
                           UNDER THE APPELLATION OF

                    The Pious Shepherd of Salisbury Plain,

            WHOSE LITTLE HISTORY HAS NOW BEEN READ WITH ADMIRATION
                         BY MULTITUDES OF CHRISTIANS
                                      IN
                      EUROPE, ASIA, AFRICA, AND AMERICA.

               HE WAS BURIED HERE BY HIS SONS SEPT. 9TH, 1796.
                                   AGED 79.

                         ALSO IN MEMORY OF HIS WIFE,

                               LYDIA SAUNDERS,

                           BURIED NEAR THIS PLACE,
                          MAY 28TH, 1789.  AGED 49.

Upon opening the adjoining grave lately (April, 1855) that of the
shepherd’s gave way, and laid bare some human bones, which, from their
remarkable size (he being of large stature and muscular build) were
supposed to be his; they were returned to their kindred earth.  It was
remarked by the Author’s informant, “If we had lived in the days of
shrines and relics, what a favourable opportunity would have been
afforded, and what a popular subject this! but such times have passed
away.”  The stone, which was in a decaying state, has, by the order of
his grandsons, Messrs. J. and J. Chapman, been renovated.

      [Picture: Church of West Lavington, with the Shepherd’s Grave]

It is much to be regretted that the humble abode where he first drew his
breath, and where his voice was so often heard instructing his own family
with others in the highest of all human learning, holiness of life,
inciting them by his precept and example to breathe after heaven, a spot
where began a reformation that has since pervaded the neighbourhood
around, and doubtless had some influence in the Established Church,
should, with the hut on the downs, like all mundane things, have suffered
under the ravages of the iron tooth of time and covetous innovation
(about two years since it was razed, and in its stead four brick
tenements erected).  But if the cot has disappeared, the site remains,
and will be regarded with veneration for ages to come.  It is on the top
of a lane, known as Saunders’s Lane, leading from Littleton to Russell
Mill, just opposite the fields.  May the relatives with the inhabitants
of this locality be favoured to breathe the same hallowed Spirit as its
long-gone tenant, and by drinking at the spiritual fountain that
refreshed his soul realize those blessings he so largely enjoyed.  The
nearest of his descendants now living are the Messrs. Chapman before
referred to, and Mrs. Holloway, their sister, of Littleton.




SECTION V.


Verbatim copy of two Original Letters—Poem to his Memory.

                                                  _Littleton Wilts Feb_ 26

Dear Daughter

Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.

Reminiscences: a Topographical Account of Market Lavington, Wilts, Its Past and Present Condition.: Also, the Rise and Progress of the Independent Church in That Place. And the Authentic History of David Saunders, the Pious Shepherd of Salisbury Plain.

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