Footstones

Many 19th century and earlier graves consisted of two stones above ground, The headstone, often ornately carved, which had details of the deceased and sometimes tributes,biblical qutations, etc. The footstone which was generally much smaller and, at most, had the initials and year of death carved on them. They could be produced quickly and became the grave marker until the head stone was placed. Over time these smaller stones often became dislodged or were moved to facilitate grass cutting.

At Harston, a few footstones remain in place and others have been moved against their headstone. However there are a number which are randomly scattered round the graveyard and even one outside the graveyard. These have all been identified from the initials and date and could all be reunited with their headstones.

These footstones are shown below with their inscriptions and details of their associated headstone. The headstones can be found here The Parish Church Graveyard in 2022

 Barton, William Laxton

‘LWB 1868’

associated with grave 57

Dickman, Edmund

‘ED 1735’

associated with grave 91

Finch, Mary

‘MF 1823’

associated with grave 81. This footstone

is located in the garden of the vicarage.

Finch, Sarah

‘SF 1871’

associated with grave 78.

Hall, Christopher & Ann

‘CH 1766  AH’

associated with grave 147

Hardwick, Thomas & Mary

‘TH MDCCCXLV

MH MDCCCXLVIII’

associated with grave 152

Hays, Thomas & Lilian

‘TH 1867

LH 1870′

assocciated with grave 66

Lofts, James, Rhoda, Harry, Sarah & Elizabeth

‘L  L  HL  S & EL’

associated with grave 59. The top left corner of the footstone with the first name initials is missing.

Long, Edward Walter, Harry Alan & Robert

‘EWL 1886

HAL 1883

RL 1868′

associated with grave 94

Lunniss, Jane & Richard

‘JL 1890

RL 1890′

associated with grave 83

Stockbridge, Jane

‘JS 1879’

associated with grave 59.

Taylor, Frances Ann, William & Catherine

‘FAT 1837

WT 1819

CT 1814′

associated with grave 71.

Taylor, Katherine

‘KT 1858’

associated with grave 70

Wallman, Edward & Lydia Watson

‘EW

LWW’

associated with grave 144

Worland, John & Rebecca

‘JW 1872

RW 1863′

associated with grave 99

Unknown

‘JL’

With no date, the associated gravestone cannot be identified with certainty, The footstone is propped up by the steps behind the north tower