Hi Joanne
We went over to Thornton this afternoon more or less between showers. Cold and blustery so hope my notes are reasonably accurate! We tried a bit of stone rubbing without much success – the paper got all soggy.
The inscription was all on the top flat stone and sadly greatly eroded at one end, particularly at the part you are interested in. The top layers of stone had flaked off. These letters were still clearly legible however.
The Memory
RICHARD HETHERIN
Lonsdale Esq
d this Life the 14th of
790, aged 45 Years.
The words 'wife of' could just about be made out on the underlying stone, but not 'Mary' as the word had gone. I've written out what I think may have been there (having compared other stones).
The line 'Mary, wife of Richard Hetherington' took up the entire width of the stone and there was definitely no room for the word Pickering. Other similar stones in the churchyard would say X wife of Y with no maiden name. So I am afraid you are no nearer to solving your mystery!
I have guessed at Burton in Lonsdale but it may easily be Thornton in Lonsdale. The word had completely gone. Some of the other graves in the churchyard had Burton in Lonsdale. I wrote May as a date as that is what is on the burial register. The word had also gone.
Most of the eulogy was reasonably legible but some of it is set to go fairly soon , as the top layer of stone is breaking away. I didn't copy down the bottom part of the inscription about daughter Ann etc but this is the first part.
Sacred to the Memory of
MARY, Wife of RICHARD HETHERINGTON
of Burton in Lonsdale Esquire
Departed this Life the 14th of May
1790, aged 45 Years.
She was the best of wives,
Oft affectionate and tender parent
and acquaintant and bountiful Friend
to the Poor, who complaints she
always Listened to with compassion
and always relieved.
Her loss was greatly lamented by all
who knew her for in her was everything
comprised which can Dignify the
character of a True Christian.
The last part ALSO ANN etc was in capitals.
We've got some photos and will get them off the camera later - I can try to put them in a message or email them if you wish.
What a shame we still haven't got Mary's name, but I did enjoy the trip out. Blew away a few cobwebs if nothing else!
. Sorry about the weather you endured on my behalf.