A rectangular inscription wall plaque situated in a high position on the east wall of the rector’s vestry. Engraved in black Roman caps. Above the inscription tablet is a V shaped cornice with a Greek urn in relief. Immediately above the tablet is a border with three stylised flowers. There is a border on each side decorated with a black line which turns back on itself.
Limestone and slate.
First half 19th century
H. 104cm x W. 92cm x D. 3cm
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The Reverend William Easton was vicar of the parish from 1794 until 1832. The year after he came to Barrow an incident took place, on August 6th 1795, called “The Barrow Riots”. Local people had become incensed at the huge increase in the cost of corn which many poorly paid workers could not afford. Villagers held up a wagon load of corn and held it in the churchyard. A magistrate was called from Leicester who duly arrived accompanied by the Leicester troop of yeomanry. After some negotiations a compromise was reached but as the corn was taken away the soldiers were pelted with stones and shots were fired and three people were killed. Reverend Easton made notes in the Parish Register about this affair. He was also interested in local history and was part of a group that welcomed the celebrated Leicestershire historian, John Nichols to the village to inspect their specimens. The coffins of the Reverend, his wife plus that of a child were discovered in a tomb under the church aisle during the 1930’s when the new heating system was installed.ref(a) ref(b) ref(c)
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SACRED/TO THE MEMORY OF THE/REVD WM: EASTON B.D./UPWARDS OF 37 YEARS VICAR OF THIS /PARISH: WHO HAVING DEVOTED THAT/LONG PERIOD TO ACTS OF CHARITY AND/BENEVOLENCE AND HAVING FAITHFULLY/DISCHARGED EVERY PASTORAL DUTY,/DEPARTED THIS LIFE/UNIVERSALLY REGRETTED,/IN THE HUMBLE HOPE OF/A GLORIOUS IMMORTALITY/ON THE 19TH,DAY OF JAN 1832/IN THE 80TH YEAR OF HIS AGE/ALSO OF/SUSANNAH, HIS BELOVED WIFE,/WHO, GRIEVING THE LOSS OF AN AFFECTIONATE HUSBAND/AND CHERISHING THE HOPE OF A/BLESSED ETERNITY./DIED ON THE 11TH DAY OF MARCH 1832/IN THE 75TH YEAR OF HER AGE.
Ref (a) Lynne Brookes :Holy Trinity Church Barrow upon Soar , A Brief History and Guide Ref (b) Bernard Elliott: Humphrey Perkins School Ref (c) People making places.org.uk
