Monument To Charles Cook In St Mary'S Churchyard

The monument to Charles Cook is located in St Mary's Churchyard and dates from around 1767. It marks the grave of Charles and Sarah Cook. The monument stands 127 cm tall and 90 cm wide, commemorating Charles Cook, who died at the age of 30 on 20th March 1767 due to a tree fall, as well as his widow Sarah, who passed away in 1788.

This headstone features remarkable and unique high-quality Rococo carving and fine lettering. At the top, there is a depiction of the Head of God holding a pen and book, surrounded by a semi-circle of clouds from which a set of scales hangs. On either side of the God-head, there are inverted cornucopia and cherubs flying through clouds. Below this, the scene of the accident is illustrated: a gentleman in a hat, holding a spade and pick, raises a hand in horror in front of an uprooted tree, beneath which lies a body and a tricorn hat. To the left of the tree stands a skeleton holding an arrow, while to the right sits Father Time, with a scythe in one hand and a half-filled hourglass in the other. An oakleaf scroll runs along the bottom of the bas-relief.

The stone is divided into two panels below the scene, with the left panel dedicated to Charles Cook and the right to Sarah Cook. At the base of the monument are two poems: one with eight lines for Charles and another with four lines for Sarah, presented in contrasting styles and rhythms.