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St Giles Churchyard

Richard Humfrey - monument. Click for larger image in new window

 

IN LOVING MEMORY

OF

RICHARD HUMFREY

WHO ENTERED INTO REST

12TH SEPTEMBER 1896

AGED 50 YEARS


THERE IS NO DEATH
WHAT SEEMS SO IS TRANSITION
THIS LIFE OF MORTAL BREATH
IS BUT A SUBURB OF THE LIFE ELYSIAN
WHOSE PORTAL WE CALL DEATH

Richard Humfrey was born in 1846 in Countesthorpe, Leicestershire, the son of Richard B Humfrey and his wife Hannah. The elder Richard was a butcher and farmer. The younger Richard was a butcher at age 14, presumably assisting his father.

He married Eliza Ann Harris, of Desborough, in 1870. The following year (aged 24) he was described as a grazier of 142 acres, a shepherd and a maltster. By 1881 the couple had 5 children and were employing a maid and a governess. In 1891 Richard was a grazier, maltster and corn dealer.

The text at the foot of the memorial is a verse from "Resignation" by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. You can read the full poem at http://www.bartleby.com/102/67.html.