Tombstone To A Bullfinch C10 Yards To North Of Lawton Hall School

This is a tombstone located approximately 10 yards north of Lawton Hall School, dating from 1853. It is made of grey slate and features a rectangular shape with a moulded top edge. The inscription on the slate commemorates a bullfinch that sang "God Save the Queen" when prompted.

The text reads:

"On the Death of a Bullfinch That sang God Save the Queen when bidden to do so

Dear bullie thy voice which so often did charm Is silenced forever by Death's mighty arm God gave thee thy beauty; man gave thee thy song Such perfection combined to few Bullies belong Thy notes were so loyal, so sweet and as gay As any free bird that sang on its spray And all who ere heard thee thy loss will regret Thy ready obedience I ne'er can forget Then farewell my bird. I give thee this grave In return for the pleasure thou often me gave The sun will shine o'er thee, thou art free from the storm These flowers will be freshened by the tears of the morn

M P Lawton March 31 1853"