On the south side of the Sleaford Church, sculptured in the cornice of the water-table, is the following inscription:—
Here lyeth William Harebeter, and Elizabeth, his wife.
Cryest ihu graunte yem everlastyng lyfe.
It is noticed in Gough’s great work on Sepulchral Monuments, where, speaking of inscriptions cut on the ledges of stones, or raising them in high relief, he says, “Of this kind on public buildings, I know not a finer sample than in the water-table, on the south side of Sleaford Church.”
On William Gibson.
Who lies here?—Who do you think?
’Tis poor Will Gibson,—give him some drink;
Give him some drink, I’ll tell you why,
When he was living, he always was dry.
WAINFLEET.
Peck has given from the Palmer MS. the following Epitaph, than which nothing can be more pompous or ridiculous:—
On a monument erected in 1735.
Near this place,
lye the remains
of Edward Barkham, Esq.
Who in his life time at his own expense
Erected the stately altar piece in this church;
Furnished the communion table
With a very rich crimson velvet carpet,
a cushion of the same, and a beautiful Common Prayer
book;
Likewise with two large flagons,
a chalice with a cover, together with a paten,
All of silver plate.
But above all (& what may very justly
preserve his name to latest posterity)
he gave and devised by will
To the curate of Wainfleet St. Mary’s and his successor
for ever
The sum of 35£. per ann. (over and above his former
salary)
with this clause, viz.
‘provided the said curate and his successors
do and shall read prayers and preach
once every Sunday in the year for ever.’
So extraordinary an instance of securing a veneration
for the most awful part of our religion,
And so rare and uncommon a zeal
For promoting God’s worship every Lord’s Day.