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.

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

I Recd your kind and Welcom Letter Dated 23 and wase glad to hear of your Welfare I wase sorrey to hear of your loss of your master but are in hopes that your Loss will be his gain I Recd a Letter from Limehouse in ye forepart of last Summer, which Letter I Ansrd Immediately:—I Recd a Letter from your Brother Jn° from spit-head a board ye Sibbley Transport Sepr ye 11:—which gave me a sorrey full account of his then present state that he was in ye 59 Ridgmt of Foot Sergant in captain poke Companey and wase then waiting with 16000 men for ordors which they did Expect it would be for ye west Indies but they could not tell and did Expect when they set sail never to see ye Land no more—he wase verey sorrowfull for his Dear Wife & 3 Children which he parted from 3 days before one of them was a Boy Born in ye Isle of Iersey they wase set off for What-ley near Froom in Somersetshire—it pierceth my Heart with sorrow to think what they will do Amongst those strangers not having a Dish nor spoon or Bed to ley on I saw one of ye Farmers of What-ley at ye Devizes and he acquainted me they had a been thare a bout 1 weeck but he had not a seen them—They are a boute 20 miles from me I should have a gone to seen them my self but I wase not able being now under ye Doctrs hands in Cure for Sore leggs I has nothing to give them for Assistanc your Brother Benjamins Familie Incresseth a pace 2 days a go he had a 2nd daughter born which is 4 in [a small piece of the letter is torn away] and his Wife verey Heavely afflicted all ye last Summer so he hath nothing but his own labour to main-tain himself Wife & 4 children so he cannot assist—I recd a Letter from your Sister Jean about 3 months a go from Ebley a near — Glouster and she acquainted me was Coock whare thare wase master & mrs & 4 servts 2 men & 2 maids but she was not weel settled in her place because there was no Religion practized in ye Familie—I saw your Brother Iames & Joseph & Timothy Novr ye 3 which ware West Lavintons Feast Day I was Glad to see them look so well Timothy is grown an Exceeding proper young youth and I hope he will he will be to my satisfaction viz to Fear ye Lord and serve him in his youth—I has none but marey & David at home with me Sarah is married to Jonathan Chapn & is near child bearing may she have a good hower Maray cannot get aney thing towards her maintainance because trading is so bad no spinning the poor with us is almost perishing for want marey is willing to come to London if she could get able and you could hire of a place of service you acquainted me you thought you should not continue much Longer in your present situation. But I would have you Enquire by Fervant Prayer of ye Lord in what state you may be most profitable to promote his Glory for now is ye Acceped time now is the Day of Salvation. Beware you do not let ye Flatterer deceive you to seek for Happiness oute of Christ, For I have a been in ye World near 68 years and I find nothing but but ye love of Christ with ye Pardon of Sin will make me Happy here in this World I would not have you put yourself to Expence of Comming Down at ye spring I should be glad to see you but I Expect shortly to be called of ye Stage of this Life & to follow my Forefathers, let us pray for Each other that we may meet in ye Upper and better World to Sing our Lord’s Praises for Ever & Ever So prays your affectionate Father. If you let me know whare you are I will write to you so long as I shall be able.

DAVED SAUNDERS.