The Lovering Memorial

Perhaps the most unique monument at the historic St. Stephen’s Church near Cecilton, MD is that of a British subject who is interred under one of the most unusually decorated and elaboratedly engraved memorial slabs I have seen from this period. The decorations are quite beautiful and rare, especially the batwinged skull at the bottom. The stone has shone obvious damage over time but has been restored, in testament to the pride the community feels to its honored dead. A rather lengthy tribute to the late captain is followed by a short poetic elegy attesting to a slight frustration that he should die on land and not at sea.

Note that the name of his birthplace given as Tawstock is now known as Tavistock in modern England and is located slightly northeast of the city of Plymouth.

TRANSLATION OF INSCRIPTIONS:

Here lieth the body of Captain John Lovering of Tawstock in the County of Devon.
Mariner who departed this life the 29 of September 1754 in the 55th year of his age.
A man greatly esteemed for his just and honest dealings & a deplorable loss to his dear wife and children and is universally lamented by all that knew him.

Tho’ stormy winds and swelling waves
Have toss’d me oft times ore,
Yet, twas you see the Lord’s decree
My grave should be on shore.
Where now I anchor most secure
From storms that sweep the sea,
In hopes my Savior Christ to meet
With comfort the last Day.

HERE’S TO YOU, CAPTAIN LOVERING!

Historical Information of St. Stephens Church: [link]

Public Record of Captain John Lovering in the British House of Commons: [link]