Edward and Mary Baradell

Edward and Mary

This beautiful stone was found in the churchyard of St Mary's church in the village of Sileby in Leicestershire, England.
I really liked the carving on this one and the style of he/she died is not often seen. The epitaph below is particularly touching and reveals that Edward was the church Sexton. Sextons were usually in charge of building and churchyard maintenance. In some instances, a Sexton can be identified in the carving of the tools of his trade on the headstone. The Sexton would be responsible for the digging of graves.

Here

Lie interred the bodies of

Edward Baradell

And Mary his wife

Viz.

He dy'd March 15th 1759 Aged 74

She dy'd May 30th 1759 Aged 75

For fifty two revolving years

Devoutly he attended pray'rs

With mellow voice and solemn knell

He sung the psalms and toll'd the bell

But cruel death spoil'd his last stave

And sent the Sexton to his grave

And his dear wife loving and kind

Stay'd but a little while behind