Ramsbotham Family Grave Slab In Churchyard Of Church Of St Mary

The Ramsbotham family grave slab is located in the churchyard of St Mary's Church, positioned centrally along the main footpath to the north side, near the north-west porch. This large sandstone grave slab features inscriptions on its upper section. It has deep incised carvings, including a border with a raised semi-circular head at the center top above the inscriptions, and a scrolled design with a diamond at the foot of the slab. The initials 'TR' are carved in shallower incised lettering, likely added in the 19th century, positioned above and to the left of the scrolled design. The top inscription, written in widely spaced lettering in Early Modern English, reads, "Here Refteth the Body of/ Edmund Romfbotham of/ Pilkington buried june ye/ 8th 1697." Below this, later inscriptions added in the 19th century state, "Also Thomas Ramsbotham who/ departed this Life June 13th 1821,/ Aged 56 Years. Also Margaret/ his Wife who departed this/ Life March 5th 1839 Aged 66/ Years."