Watson Tomb Chest 12 Metres South Of Tower Of Church Of St Peter

The Watson tomb chest, located 12 metres south of the tower of the Church of St. Peter, is an early 18th-century monument commemorating Anne, the wife of John Watson of Hodroyd, who died in 1735. It is made of sandstone and features a moulded base, fluted corner pilasters, and rusticated central pilasters. The lid has a moulded rim and a fielded shouldered panel, with sunk spandrels that display raised carvings of primitive angel heads with crossed wings, crossed bones, and flowers. The tomb chest includes a full-length inscription in elegant lettering, which contains verses and several additions: (i) Anne, daughter of John and Anne, who died in 1725 at approximately 51 weeks; (ii) John, who died in 1756, with a eulogy; (iii) Samuel, the son of Joseph and Ann Watson, who died in 1789 at age 13; and (iv) Sarah, the first wife of Samuel, who died in 1779.