Row Of Nine Headstones East Of Pathway On North Side Of Church

A row of nine limestone headstones stands east of a pathway on the north side of Elm church. The earliest headstone dates to the early 18th century and commemorates William Tomson (1696) and his wife, Ann. It features a winged cherub's head above a square panel with a moulded edge and scrolled sides, likely carved from Ketton stone. A second headstone, dated 1782, honours Thomas Marshall, with a segmental head flanked by two winged cherubs' heads framing an urn with a skull. Further symbols include an hour-glass, a serpent engulfing its tail, and a crown, representing mortality, eternity, and victory, respectively. A circular inscription panel is bordered by fruit and foliage. A later 18th-century headstone, likely belonging to another member of the Marshall family, features engaged Corinthian columns, an entablature, and a shaped pediment enclosing a coffin partially veiled in drapery. A similar headstone is followed by one from the mid-18th century, displaying two engaged Corinthian columns, an entablature, and a shaped pediment with an angel holding a trumpet and a crown, symbols of victory and resurrection. This is followed by a headstone with a winged cherub’s head above a cartouche edged with C-scrolls. Another late 18th-century headstone has two Corinthian pilasters decorated with fruit and flowers, a segmental pediment containing a winged cherub’s head surrounded by a glory. The following headstone, dated 1734, is carved in bold relief, depicting a segmental head and a glory of three winged cherubs' heads that support a draped curtain bearing the inscription. Lastly, a headstone for Will. Goddard (1758) displays engaged Corinthian columns, an entablature, and a segmental pediment with an angel trumpeter and three winged cherubs’ heads, along with a circular panel for the inscription displaying foliate ornament, a winged hour-glass, and a skull.