Monument To Samuel Venables In North Part Of Overleigh Cemetery

The monument to Samuel Venables is located in the north part of Overleigh Cemetery in Chester. Erected around 1850, it commemorates Samuel Venables, who served as the master of Chester Bluecoat School for over forty years. The monument is designed as an obelisk mounted on a stone plinth.

The inscription on the monument reads: "TO THE MEMORY OF MR SAMUEL VENABLES WHO DURING THE SPACE OF MORE THAN FORTY YEARS FILLED THE IMPORTANT SITUATION OF MASTER TO THE BLUE COAT SCHOOL IN THE CITY. HAVING FAITHFULLY SERVED HIS HEAVENLY FATHER DURING THE LONG PERIOD OF SEVENTY SEVEN YEARS HE DIED IN THE HOPE OF ETERNAL REST WITH HIM ON THE FIFTEENTH DAY OF OCTOBER 1848. IN GRATEFUL RECOLLECTION OF THE FIRM BUT CONSIDERATE SPIRIT WITH WHICH HE DISCHARGED HIS OFFICE, AND WITH THE HONEST DESIRE TO PERPETUATE THE MEMORY OF A DILIGENT, CONSCIENTIOUS AND PARENTAL INSTRUCTOR, THIS MONUMENT IS ERECTED BY THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF THOSE WHO FEEL THAT THE LESSONS WHICH THEY LEARNT IN SCHOOL HAVE UNDER GOD'S BLESSING BEEN THE SOURCE OF THEIR HAPPINESS IN LIFE."

On the right side of the monument, there is an additional inscription: "M : CH : L. RESTORED NOVEMBER 6TH 1885 BY HIS GRANDSON CHARLES SAMUEL VENABLES : LONDON." The plinth features a simple pediment on each side, supporting the obelisk, which stands approximately 4 meters tall.