Kent – Hawkhurst – St. Laurence’s Church (Thomas Exeter)

I’m slightly puzzled how this grave has remained in such good condition, or at least the top section of it, give that it’s nearly 300 years old. It marks the burial of Thomas Exeter of the town, who died on 12 April 1727 at the age of 43. The burial records survive and note that he was buried on Monday 17 April 1727.

Thomas was married to Elizabeth, who is also marked on the same gravestone and she died on 10 January 1734 and was buried on 16 January 1734. It’s so far in the past that I can’t find anything else, but this is a remarkable survival.