If you have an unusual epitaph or memorial on a grave stone in your local churchyard, or have seen one at another church, please share it with others on this page.
The first is a memorial to the ‘Faithful Pepper who died in 1807 at the age of 81 and can be seen in the churchyard of the Church of St. John the Baptist, Keele.
Befooled by sin from childhood to three score
The yoke of Satan willingly he bore.
He boldly braved the terrors of the Lord
Dispis'd his threatenings and defied his sword.
But heaven with pity his delusions saw
Awoke him with the thunders of the law.
Shame and remorse now stung his altered mind:
He felt his wretchedness and long'd to find
A shelter from th'impending wrath of God:
He sought and found it in his Saviour's blood.
Wholly (sic holy) and happy were his following years
Til death removed him from the vale of tears.
Another From St. John’s, Keele
In the doom of youth hast loved their God
And in the paths of virtue trod
In others grief a part they bore
The needy shared their little store
They viewed the world with pious dread
And to their Saviour for protection fled
William Wakelin Thomas Wakelin
24th May 1812 30th October 1812
age 22 age 21
A Third From St. John’s
Loved wife farewell upon thy silent bier
Your lonely husband sheds the frequent tear
Tis his sad lot, thy absence to deplore
And now to him, Life’s pleasuresare no more
Thine was the love that sweetened human life
Thine were the virtues of the tender wife
Bereft of thee, his comfort here below
Vain earthly joy to heal thy Partners woe
To sooth, to soften & assuage his Grief
All heavenly hope is now his last relief
The steadfast Hope that thou art greatly blest
In the bright Regionsof eternal rest
Elizabeth wifet of Thomas Haywood
Died January 24th 1790
age 31
Epitaph’s & Memorials
