Memorial To Thomas Lawson And Shelter Against East Wall Of Friends Burial Ground (At Ngr Ny 585 215)

The memorial to Thomas Lawson is a chest tomb that has been re-set against the east wall of the Friends Burial Ground, sheltered by a lean-to structure. It was originally erected by one of Lawson's students. The memorial features an inscribed stone slab, approximately 4 feet high and 2.5 feet wide, with an inscription in debased Roman capitals that reads: "SUB HOC TUMULO JA-/GET CORPUS THOMAE/LAWSON DE MAGNA STORE-/LANDIA LUDIMAGISTER/ET BOTANICUS NON IMPE-/RITUS QUI OBIIT 12 DIE N0-/VEMBER.: ANNO DOMINI/1691. ANNO AETATIS/SUAE 61." The remainder of the inscription, which records his wife Frances and son Jonah, is weathered. Thomas Lawson (1630-1691) is noted in the Dictionary of National Biography as one of the most prominent herbalists in England during his time, having described several English plants, including one named Hieracium Lawsonii in his honor. The memorial is graded for its historical interest.