OS1/14/67/19A

Continued entries/extra info

[Page] 19A

Close to the north wall of the Churchyard,
there was until the year 1824, a row
of ruinous farmhouses, in the gable of one
of which an ancient monument was built, bearing the
figure of a man with a head somewhat
resembling that of a hog, and carrying on
his shoulder a warlike weapon. A few
paces distant at the gate of the schoolmaster's
garden, another monument stood, upon which
two serpents were sculptured.* These monuments,
in connection with a third near Balluderon,
which is covered on one side with figures of
men on horseback, dogs and serpents, are
traditionally considered to refer to a tragical
event which occurred - nobody knows when.
The story is briefly this:- A farmer of
the adjoining mailing of Pittempton, who
was blessed with nine comely daughters,
sent one of them to a fountain on the
south side of the churchyard, as well
as the south bank of the Dighty, to fetch
him a draught of water. The girl went
but not returning quickly, another was
despatched to learn the cause of the delay
and to expedite the messenger. She did
not return either, so another and another
was sent, until all the nine sisters were
absent on the same errand. Alarmed
at the strange occurrence, the farmer
went himself, and as he approached
the well he saw the whole of his nine
daughters lying dead, and two large
[continued on page 19B]