Memorial: M4909

Gravestone at All Saints Church, Wyke Regis, Dorset commemorating William Lewis d. 1822, a smuggler

Location

All Saints Church, Wyke Regis, Weymouth, Dorset, England

Transcript

'Sacred to the memory of William Lewis / who was killed by a shot from the 'Pigmy' schooner / 21st April, 1822, Age 33 years', 'Of life bereft (by fell design), / I mingle with my fellow clay. / On God's protection I recline, / To save me on the Judgement Day. / There shall each bloodstained soul appear, / Repent, ah! ere it be too late, / Or else a dreadful doom you'll hear, / For God will sure avenge my fate'

Details

Description: Carved with two ships in low relief
Type: Gravestone
Position: Churchyard, by roadside wall, north east of church
Materials: Portland stone

People

Lewis, William
Age: 33
Date of Death: 21/4/1822
Cause of Death: Unknown
Rank / Occupation: Smuggler
Organisation: Unknown

Extra

Notes: (From the church guide) refering to the moralising verse 'this is obviously a shaft directed against the crew of the schooner. The fact that the members of the crew were doing their duty, whilst Lewis was the law-breaker, seems to have been ignored by the author of the verse’. Memorial in very worn condition.

Bibliography: C.R. Domonley 'A History of the Parish Church of All Saints, Wyke Regis, Weymouth.' (Wyke Regis,1976).
Recorder: F. Turland 1984
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