Page:History of the Fylde of Lancashire (IA historyoffyldeof00portiala).pdf/446



"Smaller subscriptions in the parish, sixty-eight pounds twelve shillings. Governors of Queen Anne's Bounty, six hundred pounds.

Total amount, one thousand pounds.

"Purchased five acres, one rood, and two perches of land, of eight yards to the perch, in Layton-cum-Warbreck, with the above one thousand pounds. "Rev. Robert Lister, B.A., minister. Thomas Cookson and John Cookson, churchwardens."

On each side of the altar, at the east end of the church, were several mural marble monuments erected in memory of certain members of the Clifton family, whose remains had been interred within the walls of the sacred edifice. Thomas Clifton was the first of this family buried at Lytham, and on his tomb was inscribed:—"Here lie interred the mortal remains of Thomas Clifton, of Lytham, esquire; who died on the 16th of Dec., 1784, in the 38th year of his age. Requiescat in pace."

Another monument, near to the former one, bore the following inscription:—"D.O.M. Here lies dead the body of Ann Clifton, wife of Thomas Clifton, of Lytham, esq.; daughter of Sir Carnaby Haggerstone, Baronet: but her name will live to future ages. Wonder not, reader; in her was seen whatever is amiable in a daughter, wife, mother, friend, and Christian. Admire her, man; a pattern to her sex. O! woman, imitate. She died in the 37th year of her age, on the 22nd day of February, 1760. Requiescat in pace."

The memorial writing over a third tomb ran thus:—"Here lies the body of Thomas Clifton, of Lytham, esq.; who departed this life in the 56th year of his age, on the 11th day of May, 1783. R.I.P.;" whilst a fourth monument had these lines upon it:—"Here lies the body of Jane Clifton, wife of Thomas Clifton, of Lytham, Esq.; daughter of the Right Hon. the Earl of Abingdon, who departed this life in the 61st year of her age, on the 14th day of Feb., 1791. R.I.P."

A white marble tablet fixed against the south wall, contained the annexed notice:—"In memory of Elizabeth Clifton, wife of John Clifton, of Lytham, Esq.; and daughter of Thomas Horsley Widdrington Riddell, of Swinburne Castle, in the county of Northumberland, esq.; who departed this life in the 63rd year of her age, on the 19th day of November, 1825. Requiescat in pace."