| In memory of William Darnbrough, who for the last forty years of his life was sexton of this chapel. He died October 3rd, 1846, in the one hundredth year of his age. “Thou shalt go to thy fathers in peace; thou shalt be buried in a good old age.”—Genesis XV., 15. |
| The graves around for many a year Were dug by him who slumbers here,— Till worn with age, he dropped his spade, And in the dust his bones were laid. As he now, mouldering, shares the doom Of those he buried in the tomb; So shall he, too, with them arise, To share the judgment of the skies. |
An examination of Pateley Bridge Church registers proves that Darnbrough was one hundred and two years of age.
An epitaph from Saddleworth, Yorkshire, tells us:—
Here was interred the body of John Broadbent, Sexton, who departed this life, August 3rd, 1769, in the 73rd year of his age.
| Forty-eight years, strange to tell, He bore the bier and toll’d the bell, And faithfully discharged his trust, In “earth to earth” and “dust to dust.” Cease to lament, His life is spent, The grave is still his element; His old friend Death knew ’twas his sphere, So kindly laid the sexton here. |
At Rothwell, near Leeds, an old sexton is buried in the church porch. A monumental inscription runs thus:—
In memory of Thomas Flockton, Sexton 59 years, buried
23rd day of February, 1783, aged 78 years.
| Here lies within this porch so calm, Old Thomas. Pray sound his knell, Who thought no song was like a psalm— No music like a bell. |
At Darlington, there is a Latin epitaph over the remains of Richard Preston, which has been freely translated as follows:—