Group Of 6 Raised Slabs Close To South Buttress Of Nave Of Church Of St Mary

This is a group of six raised slabs located close to the south buttress of the nave of the Church of St. Mary. The slabs date from around 1671, 1693, 1696, 1702, and 1741, and include a much-weathered chest tomb. They are made of ashlar and are arranged in two rows of three on panelled bases.

In the first row, the tombs commemorate Esther, wife of Joshua Crowther, mother-in-law of Thomas Dawson, who died on 22nd April 1693 at the age of 84; John Dawson of Morley, who died on 2nd September 1741 at the age of 65, featuring a carved guillouche surround and an arched head with winged-head angel spandrels and a heraldic coat of three birds set diagonally across a shield; Abraham Dawson of Morley, who died on 19th November 1671 at the age of 61; and Rev. Mr. Joseph Dawson, Minister of the gospel at Morley, who died on 26th June 1709 at the age of 73, with a decoratively-carved surround and a central panel with angel spandrels and an arched surround.

The second row includes tombs for Samuel, son of Joseph Dawson of Morley, who died on 23rd July 1696, featuring a carved heart motif with initials; and Thomas, the only son of Mr. Joseph Dawson of Rochdale in Lancashire, who died on 3rd November 1726, with an arched surround, impost, face, and angel spandrels. The chest tomb has four panels, each with a quatrefoil and a raised shield.