Cemeteries and graveyards, full of love, betrayal, tragic deaths, murder, and suicide. What will you find?

Friday 9 August 2013

Flashback Friday - Fading Sarah Beesley

**Originally posted 7th August 2012**
(c) Nicola Carpenter 2012


Memorial to Sarah Beesley, All Saints Maidenhead Cemetery, All Saints Avenue, Maidenhead, Berkshire.

"In Loving Memory Of Sarah Beesley widow of the late David Beesley who entered into rest 3rd April 1894 aged 89 years."

(c) Nicola Carpenter 2012


I noticed this stone in the background whilst taking a picture of a far fancier monument.  The colour, beautiful craving and the fact the words are slowly fading drew me to it.  How long before all trace of Sarah is wiped from the stone forever?

Sarah Beesley was born Sarah West in Great Marlow Buckinghamshire in 1804 to James, an agricultural labourer and Sarah West.  Sarah West and David Beesley married in 1840 in Upton cum Chalvey, ten years after their first daughter Sarah was born in 1830.

Sarah lived with her husband, a fruitier and their children in Littlewick Green, White Waltham.  When David died in 1870 Sarah took over the business.  The 1871 Census finds Sarah recently widowed living with her Son Henry and daughter Annie.  Her occupation is listed as fruitier and baker.  In 1881 Sarah had moved to 1 Jasmine Cottage Craufaud Rise, Maidenhead to live with her daughter Annie, now married to Alfred T Taylor a bank clerk.  Sarah was still living at 1 Jasmine Cottage along with her daughter's family when she died in 1894.


(c) Nicola Carpenter 2012


2 comments:

  1. I know a guy called David Beesley who is a local historian, don't think is wife is called Sarah though.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I'm glad you took this photo (and have shared it with us) -- because you're right, how long until it fades completely? The coloration is especially striking. Thanks for sharing on Taphophile Tragics. :)

    ReplyDelete

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