Richard Darke, Overbury (d.1775)

The Inscription reads:

Underneath
this Tablet lies the Body of
Mary the Wife of Richard
DARKE of this Parish who
departed this life May 22 1758
aged 48 Years.
Also Near this place lies the Body of
Richard DARKE who departed this life
December 19 1775
Aged 74 Years
Here lies in sleep both man and wife
Now joined in death as once in Life
Resting in hopes of rising hence
in Christ by Gods Omnipotence
Here's comfort too for loving friends
They led good lives made happy ends
Likewise near this place lies the Body of
John Son of the above Richard and
Mary DARKE he died October the 18 1762
Aged 30 Years
Death in my Prime gave me a fall
Where I must lye till Christ doth call
My dear Redeemer knew which way was best
To Ease my Pain and let my soul at Rest

The ‘tablet’ on display is a beautifully created facsimile of the original, which is assumed to be underneath. Its original form can be visualised from the tablets to its left, which also commemorate the DARKE family.

(Information provided by Rosemary Lockie)