Photograph - Newly discovered graveslab in Throapham Churchyard

Inscription reads:

Here

Lyeth the body of [N or M][l]a[??]er

The Daughter of [James]

and Esther Lister of

Guildingwells

Departed this life October

the ?? 1764 Aged ??

[Four lines of verse which are unreadable]

Probably the Daughter of Esther Ingall from Carlton and James Lister from Guildingwells who married in Throapham church on 27th or 29th July 1736 (sources give differing dates)

Daughter Margaret born 12/11/1737, Anne born 08/11/1739, Ester 06/06/1743, James 13/06/1747. Either Margaret or Ester are the most likely candidates. Does this also indicate she was never married (d. at age 27 or 21)

Review - Friends of Throapham Church tidy up (20 August)

The Friends of Throapham Church were busy today tidying up the shrubbery which is threatening the graves in the graveyard by cutting down some of the worst offending examples.  The greater light levels entering the churchyard seem to be greatly appreciated by the butterflies, ladybirds, hoverflies and dragonflies which constantly buzz around (not forgetting the occasional hawk, wasp and bat!)

The obvious alignment differences between Throapham and the very nearby Laughton-en-le Morthen church

 I was there tidying, finding and recording four grave slabs which have been covered by moss, ivy and grass over the past few decades. I also found some coloured plaser which may have originally been in the church which in its life was abandoned twice.  Details of the grave slabs will appear on the blog once I've analysed them :)

Dave

CBA Festival of Archaeology - Throapham Heritage Day

The first day of the Throapham Heritage Weekend has been a great success, over 100 visitors came to look around the church, go on the guided walks and chat to us about history and archaeology in general.  The Guardian came over to do an article for next weeks edition too.

I helped the Friends of Throapham Church identify some more masons marks (being tall has one advantage).  Someone brought some drawings of masons marks in other South Yorkshire churches and we're now able to say the tower of Throapham matches some of those in Rossington and Misson.  This indicates the masons were either local or all the works were done at the same time. One of these masons has a very distinctive 3 leaved clover with a stick and line at the bottom.  I've seen many masons marks but this one is amazing.

The big talking point of the day was the vast amount of houses the council want to build around Dinnington, It looks like the village will double in size in the next 20 years and no-one is happy with it!

Nature was also out in force today, hundreds of hoverflies and ladybirds have been buzzing around various flowers in the graveyard and the sun came out as well!

The church is open on Sunday between 13.00 and 17.00 - come along it's well worth a visit.