Monument To Charles Cook In St Mary'S Churchyard

The following building shall be added to the list;

SU 90 NE WALBERTON Monument to Charles Cook in St Mary's Churchyard

8/10022 II

Headstone. Circa 1767. Marks the grave of Charles and Sarah Cook. Height 127cm: width 90cm. It commemorates the death of Charles Cook who lost his life by the fall of a tree on 20th March 1767 aged 30 years and also his widow Sarah who died in 1788. The subject matter is quite remarkable and unique with high quality Rococo carving and fine lettering. At top the Head of God with pen and book, and below Him a semi-circle of clouds; from its centre hangs a scales. On either side of the God-head inverted cornucopia and trumpeting cherubs flying through clouds. On either side of the God-head inverted cornucopia and trumpeting cherubs flying through clouds. Below this the scene of the accident has been depicted: a hatted gentleman with spade and pick raises a hand in horror ; in front of him an uprooted tree beneath which lies a body and close to it a tricorn hat. To the left of the tree stands a skeleton with poised arrow and to its right sits Father Time, a scythe in one hand and a half-filled hourglass in the other. There is an oakleaf scroll along the bottom of the bas-relief. Below the scene the stone is divided into two panels. The left one tells of Charles Cook; the right in memory of Sarah Cook. At the base are 2 poems, 8 lines for Charles, 4 for Sarah. They are in strongly contrasting styles and rhythm.

Listing NGR: SU9713905757