Johnson Memorial 20 Metres South West Of Church Of St James

NU 10 NE SHILBOTTLE MIDDLE ROAD (North side)

9/225 Johnson memorial 20 metres south- west of Church of St. James GV II

Graveyard memorial, 1809. Sandstone ashlar, cast iron, bronze. Square plan. Stepped plinth, panelled sides, moulded frieze and cornice; stepped cap with fluted flame-topped urn on cast-iron base. Overall height 3 metres. On lower east panel 'THE VICAR, CHURCHWARDENS AND VESTRY OF SHILBOTTLE ERECT THIS MONUMENT ON THE REMAINS OF WILLIAM JOHNSON OF NEWTON'; on upper panel bronze plate with copy of letter:

HALIFAX Nova Scotia 5 May 1809 To Sergeant-major JOHNSONS Parents

I am exceedingly sorry in being under the very painful Necessity of communicating to you the Fall of your Brave Son on the 2nd March last at Martinique, and although with you I must sincerely lament the early fate of so good a Man, with you also I rejoice in the Remembrance of his having nobly done his Duty both in front of the Enemy & in private life. No Man could be more respected than Johnson, and consequently none more regretted We naturally grieve for such a loss. The Corps mourns for Johnson, but why should we be sorry, 'twas to that end the Al- mighty made us. Your son was called on in the prime of life, he knew not long sickness and died sensible. His Worth lives on Record in the Books of Regiment, a Consequence which Soldiers aspire to, and which good Conduct alone can merit. About six hours before his Death, your Son requested I would take charge of his Effects and transmit the amount to You. The account is an- nexed and inclosed is a Bill for the Sum. If at any future Period You should require further Particulars I shall be very happy to Prove the Regard I had for Johnson by attending to the wishes of his Parents.

J. Orr Lieut & Adjutant, 7th Regt Fuziliers

Listing NGR: NU1955808698