Collection of monuments to the Joules family in churchyard, including iron railing enclosure, about 8m north east of chancel, of the Church of St Mary.

A collection of mid-C19 to early C20 funerary monuments commemorating the Joules family, who were known to be Gypsies local to Somerset.

MATERIALS: the seven headstones are all made of a variety of stones and are of varying sizes and designs. The funerary vase is made of limestone and is cuboid with a follow for flowers.

DESCRIPTION: the group comprises of eight monuments. Four headstone and three corresponding footstones are located within a wrought iron enclosure. Three headstones, two corresponding footstones and a funerary vase are located to the west of the enclosure in close proximity to it.

The whole group are located 8m to the north-east of the chancel of the Church of St Mary the Blessed Virgin.

The monuments are laid out in two parallel rows. Each is of a different date and unique design.

The mostly westerly row is outside the enclosure and the stones read (North to South):

In loving memory / of our dear father/ Henry Joles / Died March 1929/ Aged 96; IN / Memory of / ISAAC JOULES / Who died / March 10th 1841 / Aged 70 Years; Here lie Merily Joules/ A beauty bright / that left Isaac Joules / Her hearts delight / 1827.

The funerary urn has the inscription – JOHN JOULES / 1874 – 1963 / AT REST

The four headstones and associated footstones in the wrought iron enclosure read (North to South):

Headstone - Illegible. Footstone - W J Headstone - In Memory of / Richard Joules / Died March 1st March 1867 / Aged 56 / IN LOVING MEMORY OF OUR DEAR MOTHER / JANE JOULES / PASSED AWAY ON DEC. 9. 1898 / AGED 92. Further text illegible. Footstone – R J Headstone – Illegible. Footstone – Illegible. Headstone only – In Loving memory of / MY DEAR SISTER / DRUSCILLA JOULES / ELDEST DAUGHETER OF R and J JOULES / DIED Oct 25th 1929 / AGED 94 YEARS.

The enclosure is surrounded by a wrought iron railing. The railings are made up of 12 twisted square upright members with square connectors attached to horizontal lengths of square rods with a twist halfway. The uprights have a mixture of arrow heads and fleurs-de-Lys finials.