INSCRIPTIONS

Looking at the most commonly used inscriptions to be found on these stones.

Biblical References

'Blessed are they yt (that) in ye Lord do die From their labours they rest eternally'.

If a man died shall he live again all the days of my appointed time will I wait till my change comes

'For of such is the Kingdom of Heaven'

This is taken from Revelation Chapter 14 verse 13.

This comes from Job Chapter 14 verse 14

This comes from Matthew Chapter 19 verse 14 and was words said by Jesus to rebuke the disciples who attempted to stop some children from coming to him to be blessed

''But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven'.

This is a phrase which was often used on stones to very young children.

I am in a strait betwixt two having a desire to depart and to be with Christ which is far better

This is from Philippians Chapter 1 verse 23

Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her

'To Die Is Gain

'Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called ye children of God'

All flesh is like the withering hay it springs it grows it fades away

This is from Luke Chapter 10 verse 42.

This is from Philippians Chapter 1 verse 21. The verse in full reads 'For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain'.

This is from Matthew Chapter 5 verse 9.

Whilst not a direct Biblical verse, this may have been inspired by I Peter Chapter 1 verse 24 which says

“For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away:”

Other Commonly Used Inscriptions.

Short was his race long is his rest God takes them soon who he loves best

This was often used on gravestones for those who died as children or young adults.

Sleep thou blest creatures in thy vines our sighes and teares will not awake thee we must live to our appointed time and then O then we'll overtake thee

'Reader stand still and shed a tear upon the dust that sleepeth here and whilst thou reads of the state of me think on the cup that runs for thee'.

A message to their deceased loved ones from those left behind, with a promise that they will one day be together again!

A reminder to those looking on that too are mortal and will follow the deceased one day. In those days, a person's life often seems to have been likened to a glass which is gradually emptied

Grieve not for me my glass is run It is the Lord his will be done

'As runs the glass our lives do pass'

Pale death will hardly find another So good a wife so kind a mother In all her actions so discreet is she who lies here at your feet

There are several different variation of inscription which mentions 'Pale Death'. This is is likely to refer to one of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse from Revelation. Death is said to have ridden a pale horse.

You readers all both young and old your time on earth will not be long for death will come and die you must and like to me return to dust

Tho death has parted you and I & our bodys to dust must turn I hope that we shall meet again you have no cause to mourn Dear friends do not lament for us but cheer up now your heart and hope yt (that) ye may come to me where death no more will part

Several inscriptions, with three being included here, note the inevitability of the deceased returning to dust. This is Biblical, with Genesis Chapter 3 verse 19 saying 'By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food until you return to the ground, since from it you were taken; for dust you are and to dust you will return'

A loving husband and a virtuous wife here lies confined both to leave this life Even though their bodys they return to dust Their souls I hope are dwelling with the just'.

All you that do behold this stone pray think how quickly I was gone Death does not always warning give so be carefull how you live Repent therefore no time delay I in my strength was call'd away

An often used inscription, normally used on gravestones for those who died young, but who were normally out of childhood. Another inscription concludes '...for I in my prime was snatch'd away'.

Hard Pangs of labour gave Benoni birth

A terribly sad inscription to see. This marks the grave of a woman who died in childbirth. The term Benoni birth is Biblical. In Genesis Chapter 35 verses 16 - 18 Jacob's wife Rachel dies soon after giving birth. Just before she dies she names her son Benoni, which means son of my suffering or son of my sorrows.