In the eighteenth century Ralph Bigland visited all the churchyards in the county of Gloucestershire and made a record of the memorials that were there. The following is his entry for St Mary’s, Norton.
INSCRIPTIONS IN THE CHURCH
CHANCEL
On a monument against north wall; Here resteth what was mortal of Richard Browne gent who was taken from among the living, the 22nd of March 1635, aged 32 years and 4 months. “Wee once were five and I (such was my lot) the last that made & first that broke the knot. Wee lov’d and liv’d alike each dear to other and in effect each man an elder brother”. Also near this place lyeth John the son of Richard Browne gent who died Nov 1715 aged 84.
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FLAT STONES
Hic humatur Corpus Annae Gulielmi Lane de Apperley, Comitat. Gloc. Armigeri, Conjugis dilectissimao Si pietas incorrupta, concinnitas morum, Optima deniq. in maritum optimum observantis, quioquid potuerint In aeternum vixisset. At, proh dolor ! Santis breviuscula nimis vita meritis Quippe Florentissima aetat. (vel ipso nequicquam redimente aesculapio) immature cecidit XIII Septemb. Anno aetatis 33 Dom. 1693.
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Richard Browne, 1636. John Browne, 1715.
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On a flat stone, these Arms only. Per pale Gules & Azure, three Saltire humette counterchanged, Lane, impaling Browne as before.
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FLAT STONES – NAVE
Here lieth the body of Thomas Lane, late of Norton’s Court, Gent. Who departed this life the 19th of March, Anno Dni, 1709, aetatis 68.
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Here lyeth the body of William Lane, of this parish, Gent. Who departed this life the 13 day of August, Anno Dom 1664 aetatis suae 63.
Also, the body of Lettice, relict of the said William Lane, Gent. Who ended her pious life the 16 day of Feb Anno Dom. 1693, aet, suae 80.
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Here resteth the body of Elizabeth, wife of George Gwinnett, of this parish, who departed this life the 17 day of … 1690 aetatis 32.
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CHURCH YARD
On a monument against south wall; In memory of Mary, the beloved wife of John Lawrence, of the parish of Lye, who in the flower of her age amidst the difficulties of child-bearing departed this life the 19th of Oct. 1714, aged 31.
Also, Sarah, their daughter, who ceased to be among the living the 8 of May, 1709, aged 2 months.
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On a stone against north wall; Arms .. a fess dancette .. between 3 fleur de lis .. Marston. Crest, a Stork with wings expanded. Here lieth the body of Robert Marston, of ye parish, Gent. Who departed ye life the 15 of Oct. 1708, aged 77 years. The Queen’s Lieutenant whilst on earth Did her just rights maintain, But now I hope he is with Christ For ever to remain.
Robert, his son, died April 18th, 1729.
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ALTAR TOMBS
John Lawrence, late of the Lye, Yeoman, died 19 July, 1737, aged 56. Prepare for death, make no delay, God soon, you see, took me away, Keep Faith and true repentance still, And then let Death come when it will, That after Death you may obtain, A place with Jesus Christ to reign.
Elizabeth, wife of John Lawrence, departed this life April 14, 1742, aged 53.
In memory of Henry, the son of John Lawrence, who departed this life the 21 of April, 1753, aged 32 yrs.
Several other Sons & Daughters here buried.
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Here lieth the body of Elizabeth Weld, who departed this life May ye 1 1748, aged 60 years.
Edy, the wife of William Crook, Yeoman, died 30 March, 1762, aged 48.
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Mary, widow of William Crook, and late wife of William Crook, of this parish, daughter of Richard and Elizabeth Welch, who died 26 Oct. 1767, aged 61.
William Crook, abovenamed, died 30 Oct. 1742, aged 42, buried with several of his children.
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Richard Welch, of this parish, died 25 Jan. 1731-2, aged 49.
Also, William the son of Richard & Elizabeth Welch, who died on the 15 of April, 1738, aged 25 years.
Repent my friend and make much of your time, God took my life you see just in my prime, ‘Tis not the rich, nor young and strong are free, From Death’s impartial hand you see, Be not afraid when God requires your breath, No man e’er lives that will not taste of death.
John Martin, of Allstone, in the parish of Cheltenham, died the 2d of Sep. 1757, aged 33.
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Here lie the remains of Robert Marston, of this parish, (whose souel life & sincere friendship caused him to be much respected). He died greatly regretted the 2d day of Decem. 1766, aged 66.
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To the memory of Thomas, the son of Robert & Hester Marston, who died May 12, 1729, aged 28. Also William, Henry, Robert and Mary who died infants.
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Erected to the memory of Henry Butt, late of the parish of Standish, Yeoman, who departed this life Sep. 4, 1775, aged 67 years.
In memory of Richard Butt, who departed this life July 29, 1724, aetat 56.
Also Patience, his wife, who died Oct. 14, 1747, aet 76.
Also three of their children,
Ann, died 2 Sep. 1711, aged 1 year.
Elizabeth, 27 Feb. 1731, aged 23 years.
Sarah, 18 Nov. 1731, aged 16 years.
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In memory of Richard Dobbins, senr, who died 19 of March 1730, aged 62.
Also of Mary, the wife of Richard Dobbins, junr., who departed this life 28 March, 1746, aged 62.
Richard Dobbins, junr., died 22 June, 1760, aged 70.
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To the memory of William Mann, of this parish, who departed this life Feb. 16, 1764, aged 73.
Also of ann, his daughter, aged 2 years & 6 months.
Dear wife and children you agree to serve the Lord and follow me.
And also of Martha, relict of William Mann, who died 9 Sep. 1777 aged 80 years.
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In memory of William Edwards, of Longford, Yeoman, who died 20 Dec. 1764, aged 61.
Also of Anne, his widow, wife of Robert Newman, late of Wotton, Yeoman, who died 25 June, 1767, aged 56.
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In memory of Anne the widow of John Land, a native of the parish of Painswick, Yeoman, she died the 22 Sep. 1751, aged 72 years.
Richard Proctor, of this parish, died 26 April, 1765, aged 35.
Betty, wife of William Craft, died March 29, 1759, aged 29 years.
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Sacred to the memory of Sarah Smith, of the parish of Matson, who departed this life Aug 1, 1799, in the 53 year of her age.
Here lie the reliques of a loving wife, a quiet neighbour, ever free from strife, a tender mother & a faithful friend, a pious Christian in her life and end.
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FLAT STONE
Here lyeth the body of Martha, the wife of Luke Singleton, Gent., who died 21 June, 1738. Also the bodies of Luke, Laurence and Sarah, their children.
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ON HEADSTONES
In memory of Elizabeth, the wife of William Lawrence, Yeoman, of the parish of Charlton Kings, late of the Leigh, who departed this life Nov. 28, 1780 aged 29 years.
Also in memory of William, their son, who died in his infancy.
John Allen, senr, died 3 Nov. 1792, aged 82
Ann, his wife, died 11 Aug. 1796, aged 80
John Milton, died 8 Jan. 1772, aged 84
Mary, his wife, died 26 May, 1778, aged 78
Elizth, 2d wife of William Holder, Clerk of this parish, died 18 June, 1763, aged 69
William, son of William Hawker, died 3 May, 1767, aged 42
Richard Morris, died 20 Aug, 1791, aged 54
Ann, relict of Richard Butt, died 7 Feb. 1790, aged 80
Richard Butt, died 4 July, 1782, aged 79
Richard Dobbins, senr. died 19 March 1730, aged 62
Mary, wife of Richard Dobbins, junr. died 28 March 1746, aged 62
Richard Dobbins, junr. died 22 June 1760, aged 70
Elizabeth, wife of Richard Butt, died 30 Jan. 1728, aged 24
Richard Butt, died 11 Sep. 1780, aged 44
Sarah, wife of William Butt, died 10 March, 1781, aged 3
John Marston, died 16 Oct. 1785, aged 54
William Cox, died 18 May 1785, aged 83
Sarah, his wife, died 2 June, 1746, aged 38