Group Of Four Headstones To South Of South Aisle, Church Of St Mary

A group of four headstones, dating from the 17th to the 19th centuries, is located to the south of the south aisle of the Church of St Mary in Lynton. These headstones are made of stone or slate and are arranged in three parallel rows. They are described from north to south in each row, moving from west to east.

The first headstone, approximately 2 meters from the aisle wall, is for Walter Fry, who died in 1749. It is made of friable stone and features a haunched arched head, though the inscription is badly eroded. The second headstone, located immediately south of the first, commemorates David Knight, who died in 1748. This headstone is also made of friable stone and has a haunched arched head, with an inscribed verse below the name and date.

The third headstone, at the end of this line and adjacent to the churchyard boundary wall, is for Elizabeth Squier, who died in the 1640s. It is a very thin square-headed stone with a portion broken off at the top left. The inscription, rendered in fine serif capitals, remains distinct and well preserved, making it the earliest monument recorded in the churchyard.

The final headstone in this row is for Philip Squire, who died in 1786. This well-preserved slate headstone features a haunched arched head and a raised margin. Above an oval panel with a scalloped surround, there is a naive cherub head with stylised wings, and the finely incised inscription faces east.