Memorial to Huskar Pit Disaster

Memorial, erected in 1841.

MATERIALS: sandstone.

DESCRIPTION: the memorial takes the form of a square block with a moulded cornice mounted on a three-stepped podium and capped by a tall pyramid with protruding gables standing on a square, chamfered base.

The front has a swag of relief-carved drapery above an inscription which states: THIS MONUMENT / was erected to perpetuate the re- / membrance of an awful visitation / of the Almighty which took place / in this Parish on the 4th day of July 1838 / On that eventful day the Lord sent forth His Thunder; / Lightning, Hail and Rain carrying devastation before / them and by a sudden irruption of Water into the / Coalpits of R.C. Clarke Esqr. Twenty six human be- / ings whose names are recorded here were suddenly / Summon’d to appear before their Maker. / READER REMEMBER: / Every neglected call of God will appear against Thee / at the Day of Judgment. / Let this solemn Warning then sink deep into thy heart & / so prepare thee that the Lord when He cometh may find thee / WATCHING.

The right-hand side is inscribed with the names of the fifteen boys, their ages and which grave they are buried in; it is noted that two pairs of boys were brothers.

The left-hand side is inscribed with the names of the eleven girls, their ages and which grave they are buried in; it is noted that one of the girls was a sister to one of the boys.

The four sides of the square chamfered base to the pyramid are inscribed with Biblical proverbs.