Twerton History Society

I’m not one for being morbid, but here are some epitaphs from grave stones in St. Michael’s churchyard.  They remind me of the struggles that so many people have in life – and how precious life is in the here and now.  How do they make you feel?

1795

Here in my silent Grave I lie

Free from all Pain and Grief

Tho my disease was long and sharp

God sent at last Relief

(1803)

Long lingering on the borders of the grave

From which no Skill on Earth had power to save

In racking pain I spent my daily breath

And found no refuge till relieved by death

And now I sleep no more by (pain) oppress’d

And trust my Saviour for eternal rest

1805

Confident that ere long you must

Depart and soon return to dust

Or suddenly as well as I

By some sad accident must die

And in this world as some can tell

How short a time he has to dwell

O let it be your chiefest care

For death and judgment to prepare

1811

Young men I pray be wise betimes

For I was cut off in my prime

For as the flowers doth fade away

So did my Life and Strength decay

My Friends as you my Grave doth see

Stay but a while you’l follow me

1812

All you young youths my grave may see

Pray you prepare to follow me

Had Youth I was and Youth I am

And forc’d to go at God’s command

1815

Farwell to you my Children dear

For (no) you was (to) me

My time of life was (agains) in (pain)

But death hath set me free

1817

The Rose within this earthly Bed

Tho wither’d and reclin’d its Head

Shall soon in new born Beauty rise

And blossom in its native Skies

1825

I was so long with pains oppress’d

That wore my strength away

It made me long for endless rest

Which never can decay

1826

Peaceful rest ye silent Babes

Mingled with the Valley’s clod

Rest till Nature’s cry shall call ye

Call ye to approach your God

1835

Death ! why so fast ? pray stop your hand

And let my glass run out its sand

As neither death nor time will stay

Let us improve the present day

1853

There calmly rests beneath this lowly tomb

A gentle flowr pluck’t in her early bloom

Too fondly loved too hardly parted from

Rent from her life her friends her happy home

Yet a celestial hope springs from the earth

And dear Ellen claims a second birth

Where the kind shepherd bids all sorrows cease

And calls his lambs to endless joy and peace

1855

Whilst in this world I did remain

My latter Days were full of Pain

But when the Lord he thought it best

He took me to a Place of Rest

1856

What joy !  when he resigned his breath -

For as his eyelids closed – he smiled in death

1863

So kind so young so gentle so sincere

So loved so early lost may claim a tear

Yet wherefore mourn ? the life resumed by heaven

Doubtless fulfilled the end for which ’twas given

1875

Her labours below have ceased

Her trials and pains are o’er

Her sun hath set at noon of day

To rise on the heavenly shore