Inscriptions from St Thomas' Gawber
Beevers, Booth, Bottom, Brown, Burkinshaw, Crowther (see East Window), Chapman (see Sharman), Dormand, Earnshaw, Ellis(see East Window), Fairclough, Fielding(see Rylah), Firth, Flint, Gledhill, Goodall, Gothard (see Limbert), Hellewell, Hey, Hilton, Hinde, Kendall, Leech(see Walker), Limbert, Lupton, Musgrave, Oxley, Palfreyman, Parkinson (see Wood), Pickering (see Sharman,) Riddlehough (see Smith), Roe, Rylah, Sharman, Shepperd, Shrigley, Shirt (see Walker), Smith, Tinsley, Walke, Wilson, Wood
These inscriptions are to be found in the part round the Church and reaching to the end of the Vicarage Garden

Editor's Note: This collection of inscriptions is by no means complete. In the original notebook, Miss Dearnley has commented "Gawber Church. Built in 1848. The churchyard is still in use and a few inscriptions were taken from the earlier part."

In the Midst of Life we are in Death. / In memory of Benjamin Beevers aged 32 years. / And Elijah Beevors aged 19 years, sons of Joseph and Hannah / Beevers of Gawber, who lost their lives in the memorable / explosion at Windhill Colliery, February 19th 1857 / Alike beloved and unfortunate / Also of George Beevers, son of the above named Joseph / and Hannah Beevers who departed this life January 25th 1859 aged 24 years. Upright stone with roses and leaves in relief. The first line of the inscription is in the shield at the top. Benjamin and Elijah were buried May 2nd. George was 21 years in the register. Windhill is possibly a mistake by the sculptor, for this is the date of the Lundhill disaster

In memory of Joseph Beevers of Gawber, who died / March 15th 1867 aged 81 years. / He sleeps in peace. / Also Hannah Beevers, wife of the above, who died / October 27th 1879 aged 83 years
.Upright stone, now flat. Around the top are the words - Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord.

In memory of Betsy, wife of Joseph Beevers / who died aged 28 years. / In life respected and in death lamented / Let friends forbear to mourn and weep, / A toilsome world I left behind / Eternal Glory for to find. / Also Joseph Beevers, husband of the above / died December 3rd 1895 aged 72 years / His end was peace.
Flat stone with a scroll design in head corners. There was no month or year on the stone for Betsy Some Beevers were wiredrawers through water in the 17th century.

In memory of Lydia, wife of Henry Booth of Higham, / who died January 26th 1872 aged 49 years. / She sleeps in peace. / Also the above named Henry Booth of Higham, / who died February 21st 1886 aged 61 years.
Once upright, now flat. Flowers and the letters I H S in relief.

In loving memory of Edward, son of Joseph / and Martha Bottom who was killed at the North Gawber Colliery / March 23rd 1887 aged 21 years. / Also Walter, son of the above, who died January 14th 1896 aged 26 years. / Also the above named Joseph Bottom who died / October 17th 1902 aged 72 years. / Also Annie, daughter of the above, who died April 3rd 1908 aged 34 years.
Base of cross only - top broken off Edward was member of the choir

In memory / of Peter Brook / of Redbrook / who died February 28th 1864 / Also Thomas Edward Brook, / son of the above, / Born October 26th 1851 / Died July 28th 1889 / Also Sarah, wife of the above named / Peter Brook, / who died July 16th 1895 / Aged 79 years
Upright, now flat. Rounded top with roses carved in relief in circle

In affectionate remembrence of Robert Brown / of Wakefield, late of Gawber, / born February 14th 1819 died May 14th 1876, / I saw him fade and waste away, / I saw him gasp for breath: / I saw upon his sunken cheeks the fatal sign of death. / Also Charles, son of the above, born November 5th 1853 / Died November 17th 1856 / Also Robert, son of the above, born October 1st 1855 / died November 19th 1856 / Also Elizabeth, wife of the above, died December 19th 1889 / in the 69th year of her age and was interred at Wombwell cemetery. Upright stone, now flat. Geometrical design in relief round edge of stone

In remembrance of John / the beloved son of / William and Mary Burkinshaw / who died May 23rd 1865 Aged 11 years / Also Clara Elizabeth, their daughter, / who died August 23rd 1866 aged 6 years / Suffer little children to come to me, / for of such is the Kingdom of Heaven
Once upright, now flat "In remembrence of " carved around the circular top. A circle below this with flowers in relief, appear to be tulips.

In affectionate memory of Joseph, the beloved son / of William and Mary Burkinshaw, farmer, Gawber Hall, / who died December 1866 aged 36 years. / For I know that my redeemer liveth / and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the Earth: / and though, after worms destroy this body, / yet in my flesh shall I see God / Job XIX 25.26
In register Mary in same vault as William Once upright, now flat with geometrical designs in relief round edge

In memory of / Alfred, son of / Joseph and Mary Darlington / of Higham / who died September 17th 1865 / Aged 8 years and 8 months
Once upright, now flat with stylised leaves in relief at head corners.

Joseph Edmund, beloved husband of / Ada Dormand, died March 6th 1944 aged 64 years / 30 years organist of this Parish
Once upright, now flat. This stone is shaped like a pointed window

In loving memory of Edward, the beloved husband of / Charlotte Earnshaw of Higham, who was accidently / killed March 4th 1901 aged 41 years. / Also Sam, son of the above was accidently killed / March 4th 1901 aged 14 year / Gone but not forgotten / (?) Also Sarah, widow and mother of the above, who / died October 8th 1932 aged 75 years. / Re - united
Upright -cross with a strand of ivy curling round. Edward and Sam were killed by an explosion of gunpwder at their home

J T E Born April 28th 1850 Died August 4th 1866 E E Born May 2nd 1815 Died September 2nd 1866
Flat stone The following names fit the dates John Thomas Ellis and Eliza Ellis Numbers 382 and 386 in the register. A George Ellis gave a plot for Quaker burials and later became a Quaker.

In loving memory of James Fairclough, who died / June 13th 1911 aged 76 years. Late President of the / Barnsley British Co-operative Society and director of the Co-operative Wholesale Society. / In things essential, Unity. In things doubtful, Liberty. / In all things, charity. / Also Louisa Ada Fairclough, wife of the above June 29th 1940 agd 86 years.
Upright cross In the register, Louisa is from Southport

Sacred to the memory of / Harriet, only daughter of George and Mary Firth / of Pogmoor, who departed this life August 1853 aged 28 years. / My days were short, / my years were few / Like us the grass or morning dew. / Mourn not for me / The charge is great / Seek the Lord and we shall meet. / Also of the above named George Firth, who departed / this life January 9th 1859 in his 75th year. / Also of Ann, wife of the above said George Firth who departed / this life July 3rd 1862 in her 79th year. / In life respected and in death lamented.
Flat stone

Sacred to the memory / of Elizabeth, the daughter of Charles and Mary Flint of Gawber, / who died October 21st 1856 aged 21 years. / All you that come my grave to see / As I am now, so you must be / Repent in time, make no delay / In my youth, I was snatched away.
Once upright, now flat. A vase with garland in 18th century classical design carved in relief in centre top.

In memory of / J Gledhill of / Pogmoor who died May 3rd 1875 / Aged 54 years / God is love.

George Gledhill of Higham Common, / who died March 18th 1888 aged 81 years. / Now the labourers task is over Now the battle day is passed / Now upon the other shore / Lands the Voyager at last. Father in thy gracious keeping, leave we know thy servants sleeping / Also Sarah, the beloved wife of the above, who died / August 2nd 1892 aged 81 years.
Once upright, now flat

Alfed Glover / Aged / 33 years / 1894 Small shaped stone with serrated edge. Once upright, now flat In memory of Joseph Goodhall, who lost his life / by the awful explosion at Lundhill Colliery Feb 19th 1857 aged 24 years. / The day of the Lord cometh as a thief in the night / 1st Thess V verse 2
Once upright, now flat. A circle in top centre, with an angel blowing a trumpet carved in relief In register - He was buried on June 7th

In memory of Annie Helliwell of Higham. / She was born 28th November 1845, died 4th of May 1860. / But I would not have gone to be ignorant brethren, / concerning those which are asleep, / that ye sorrow not even as others which have no hope. / This stone was erected by her sorrowing mother
Once upright Now flat.
In loving remembrance of Mary, / the beloved wife of Charles Hey of Oldhill, / who died April 24th 1884 aged 53 years. / Also of Sarah Ann, the beloved daughter of the above / who died December 16th 1869 aged 4 years. / Safe, safe upon the ever shining shore, / Sin, pain and death are all o'er / Happy now and evermore, / Washed in the blood of the lamb. / Also the above named Charles Hey of Gawber, / who died February 19th 1887 aged 61 years / They sleep in peace.
Once upright, now flat. Flowers in relief in a circle at head below the 1st line.

In memory of / Thomas Hilton, who lost his life in the memorable colliery explosion at Lundhill, / February 19th 1857 aged 25 years. / Also Walter, his son, who died June 14th 1858 aged 2 years.
Upright stone with top shaped in three scallops, with flowers and graphs carved in relief.

In affectionate remembrance / of Henry Hinde who died November 24th 1876 / aged 38 years. / Grieve not dear wife I am at rest / Grieve not dear child for I am blest / Grieve not, I've left a world of care / To meet my God, to follow me prepare.
Once upright, now flat.

In affectionate remebrance / of George Kendall, Sergeant, West Riding Constabulary, / Barugh Green, who died October 21st 1885 aged 45 years. / Also Maria Kendall, who died January 6th 1919 aged 76 years.
Once upright, now flat. In the register Maria is of Locke Avenue, Park Road, Barnsley.

In loving memory/ of Thomas Limbert who died September 8th 1890 / aged 73 years. Also of Hannah, wife of the above, who died June 29th / 1897 aged 72 years / . They rest from their labours and their works do follow them. / Also Ann Gothard, daughter of the above named, who died / July 14th 1908 aged 58 years
Once upright, now flat. A cross carved in relief in the centre top

In memory of / James Henry Lupton, / Schoolmaster of Barnsley, born November 8th 1818 / died November 1st 1886
.This stone is similar to the Easton stone in Darton Churchyard. There are more names but of later dates.

In memory / of Hannah, the beloved wife of George Musgrave of / Greenfoot Terrace, Old Town, / who departed this life / on the 4th day of June 1868 aged 57 years. / Boast not thyself of tommorow / for thou knowest not what the day may bring forth. / Prov 27 - 1 / Also the above George Musgrave who departed this life / on the 9th day of May 1874 aged 60 years. / In my distress I cried unto the Lord / And he heard me / Psalms CXX.IV
Once upright, now flat, "In memory of" set in a scroll design.

In affectionate Memory of / William Oxley of Pogmoor, who departed this / life August 31st 1866 aged 36 years. / Also of George, the dearly loved son of the above, who / lost his life at the Willow Bank Colliery, / February 10th 1870 aged 15 years. / Also Mary, the dearly beloved daughter of the above / who died December 26th 1870 aged 18 years. / They sleep in Jesus. / Also Mary, relict of the above, who died August 30th / 1910 aged 76 years.
Once upright, now flat. In register for August 1910 aged 76 years is Mary Graham (remarried?)

In loving memory of / Annis, the beloved wife of William Palfreyman of Higham, / who died December 23rd 1876 aged 35 years. / Also the above named William Palfreyman, who died / February 3rd 1902 aged 62 years. / A tender father he has been, / and many troubles he has seen / While he lived he did his best / And now in Jesus he is blest.
Upright stone, now flat. "Thy will be done" round top edge. Lillies carved in relief near top. In register - William of Featherstone.

In memory of / Charles Roe who was injured at Willow Banks / Colliery November 11th and died November 23rd 1871 / aged 44 years. / Blessed are the Peacemakers. / Also Ann, wife of the above, who died February 15th 1907 aged 67. / Her end was Peace.
Upright, now flat, with flowers carved in relief . Ann not in register, unless re-married. Possibly only remembered here and buried elsewhere

In affectionate rememberance of / Keren Happuch, the beloved wife of Thomas Rylah / of Higham, who died March 5th 1869 aged 65 years. / If we believe that Jesus died and rose again / Even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God / bring with him. Thess.4.14. / Also Joseph Fielding, Great Grandson of the above, who / died June 19th 1869 aged 2 years and 3 months. / Also the above named Thomas Rylah who died / November 7th 1890 aged 90 years.
Once upright, now flat with arched top and a small cross carved in relief.

In loving memory of / Edward the beloved son of Edwin and Sarah Sharman / who died February 1899 aged 6 months. / Also Olive, the beloved daughter of John and Emma / Chapman, who died July 13th 1907 aged 8 months. / Also James, the beloved son of John and Elizabeth Pickering, / who died July 26th 1907 aged 9 months / Grandchildren of John and Martha Chapman.
Upright once, now flat. Flowers in circle and ivy leaves, in relief round edge of stone.

In memory of / George Frederick Shepherd / who lost his life by the awful explosion at Lundhill Colliery, / February 19th 1857 aged 29 years. / An honest man and a friend sincere / Such was the man that now lies here / Also Georgina, daughter of of the above named George Frederick / and Elizabeth Shepherd, died October 7th 1857 / in the 7th month of her age. / Also Elizabeth, widow of the above, who died February 3rd / 1907 aged 80 years.
Flat stone. In the register George buried May 8th Elizabeth Riddiough of Bradford for this date and age - remarried

In loving memory of / Edwin Shrigley, the dearly loved husband of Ada Shrigley, / for 11 years schoolmaster of this Parish, who passed away / at South Ferriby July 21st 1914 aged 58 years. / Also Nellie, daughter of the above, who died May 12th 1882 aged 4 months. / Also the above Ada Shrigley who died September 30th 1950 aged 93 years.
Upright cross

In memory of / John Smith of Lundhill, who died February 19th 1857 / Aged 40 years. / Though pressed with fears on everyside, / they know not how the strife may end / Yet he will soon the cause decide / And judgement unto victory send. / Also Julia, wife of the above John Smith, who departed / this life on the 7th day of July 1864 aged 45 years Flat stone, with scroll design in head corners In memory of / John, son of Joseph and Ann Smith of Gawber, who died / January 13th 1861 in the 22nd year of his age. / Also Ann, the beloved wife of Jospeh Smith, who died / September 17th 1868 aged 49 years. / Hard thou hast toiled in faithfulness / To save thy children from distress / Christ bless thee now thy troubles cease / And clothe thee with eternal peace
.Once upright, now flat.

In loving memory of / Fred Smith, / died September 28th 1881 / aged 2 years / Joseph Walker and co, Stafford Pottery, / South Flockton
Small white memorial, finely inscribed A James Smith, a joiner, was a Quaker

In affectionate Remembrance of Alfred, / beloved son of Edwin and Elizabeth Tinsley / of Barugh Green, who was killed at the Church Lane / Colliery May 29th 1880 aged 16 years. / In the midst of life we are in death / Also of Mary, their beloved daughter who died October 30th / 1891 aged 23 years. / Also Eliza, their beloved daughter, who died May 8th / 1892 aged 21 years.
Flat stone. Ivy leaves carved in relief.

Sacred to the memory of / Joseph Walker, mason of Gawber, who doed December 30th / 1861 aged 58 years. / The winter of trouble is past / The storm of affliction is o'er. / The struggle is ended at last / And sorrow and death are no more. / Also Sarah, wife of the above, who died August 4th / 1877 aged 75 years. / My feeble frame, though long opressed / Has now obtained a lasting rest, / my soul through Christ has gained the shore / Where grief and cares are felt no more
Flat rounded stone, like Shillitoe's in Darton Church yard.

George Leech Walker, stonemason, Gawber, the beloved husband of Sarah Walker, born 2nd February / 1826 died 22nd of October 1882 / Also Sarah, wife of the above, who departed this life / January 9th 1910 aged 86 years / Hepworth Walker
Upright stone, now flat.

William James Walker, stonemason of Gawber, / Born September 6th 1841, died October 28th 1887. / And he is gone whom we so dearly loved / Yes, he is gone, / his happy spirit fled / And now is numbered with the silent dead. / Also Harriet, his beloved wife born January 27th / 1841 died March 27th 1892 / Though sad we mark the closing eye / of these we loved in days gone by, / yet sweet in death, their latest song, / We'll meet again, 'twill not be long.
Once upright, now flat. Vine leaves and grapes carved in relief round top edge. William not entered in register

In Affectionate Remembrance of / James Shirt Walker of Doncaster, who departed this life / November 5th 1888 aged 41 years. / Also Jane Walker, the dearly beloved wife of the above, / who died January 28th 1905 aged 60 years. / Also Mimie, daughter of the above, who departed this life / March 16th 1881 aged 6 months. / Thy will be done / Mine eye mourneth by reason of affliction Lord, / I have called daily upon thee / I have stretched out my hand unto thee
Once upright, now flat, with flowers carved in relief

In Affectionate Remembrance / of Richard Walker, late of Swinton, the beloved / husband of Sarah Ann Walker, who departed this life January 3rd / 1891 aged 58 years. / Also the above named Sarah Ann Walker, who entered into rest July 17th 1906 aged 65 years. / Peace Perfect Peace.
Once upright, now flat, with flowers carved in relief.

In loving memory of / Joseph Wilson of Gawber, who departed this life / August 29th 1893 aged 80 years. / Also Elizabeth, wife of the above, who departed this life / May 23rd 1863 aged 47 years. / Also John, son of the above, and beloved husband / of Sarah Wilson, who lost his life in Honeywell Colliery / February 16th 1863 aged 22 years / He giveth his beloved sleep
Once upright, now flat with a circle near top enclosing roses carved in relief In the 1770's - a John Wilson, ironmonger of Barnsley was connected with the Quakers. A William Wilson, Quaker from Mottram in Lancashire, started a bleaching Mill in 1774. The bleaching was done down Honeywell Lane near to the River Dearne and the finished yarn was sent over the moors to the Mottram district for bleaching. See 'The History of Gawber' by William Bretton in Barnsley Reference Library.

In Loving Remembrance of / Fred / the beloved son / of John and Hannah Wood of Higham, / who departed this life Feb 19th 1880 / aged 1 year and 4 months.
Flat stone. Eroded in centre below the inscription, but no sign of any other inscription on it.

East Window
In this window are three lights. In the left light is depicted the baptism of Christ in the River Jordan. A dove is flying above his head, and below is the lamb This is my beloved son, hear ye him. Inscription - In memory of Timothy Crowther, Departed this life 22nd day of February 1944.
The centre light depicts the crucifixion. Inscription - To the Glory of God and in memory of William and Eliza Ellis, erected by their son Edward AD 1896 Below the centre light is depicted Christ in the Garden of Gethsemene. Inscription - To the greater glory of God this window was given by the Higham Guild 1947.
The right light depicts the Ascension. He was received up into Heaven Below this is an eagle with outstreched wings. Inscription - In memory of Sarah Harriet Crowther Departed this life on the 5th day of Aug 1945. I

The following names can be found in William Bretton's 'History of Gawber in Barnsley Reference Library Beaumont, Travis, Stevenson, Lidall, Pease, Chapman, Smith, Jackson, Burkinshaw, Senior, Taylor, Pickering, Mitchell, Barrowclough, Limbert, Beevers, Jagger, Denton, Agnes de Galbergh, John de Dodworth, Jenkinson, Sitwells of Derbyshire, Thorp, Caldwell, Storey, Day, Marsh, Carr, Strafford, Burton, Green, Morton, Turner, Burdett, Wentworth, Rockley, Cotten, Crowther, Littlewood, Haigh, Peckett, Hall, Carnelly, Gibson, Fairclough, Wilson and Beckett, Quakers from Mottram in Lancs, weavers.