Gravestone in St Mary’s Church, Bideford, Devon commemorating Henry Clark d. 1836
Location
St Mary's Church, Bideford, Devon, England
Transcript
'IN TRIBUTE: To the Memory of / CAPTAIN HENRY CLARK of the Town / Who Departed this Life 28th April 1836 / Aged 61 Years / Our worthy FRIEND who lies beneath this Stone / Was Master of a Vessel all his own / Houses and Lands had he and GOLD in store / He spent the whole, and would if ten time more. / For Twenty Years he scarce slept in a BED / Linhays and Limekilns lull'd his weary head. / Because he would not to the Poorhouse go, / For his proud spirit would not let him to. / The Blackbird's whistling Notes at Break of Day / Used to awake him from his BED of HAY, / Unto the Bridge and Quay he then REPAIR'D / To see what SHIPPING up the River steer'd. / OFT in the week he used to VIEW the Bay, / To see what SHIPS were coming in from Sea, / To Captains' wives he brought the welcome News / And to the Relatives of all their CREWS. / At last poor HARRY CLARK was taken Ill / And carried to the Workhouse against his Will, / But being of this mortal Life quite tired, / He liv'd about a Month and then expired'
Details
Type: Gravestone
Position: Exterior south wall
People
Age: 61
Date of Death: 28/4/1836
Cause of Death: Unknown
Rank / Occupation: Master
Organisation: Unknown
Extra
Recorder: Mrs Hilary Tudge 1985