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marble structure that now stands over the vault was erected by Sir 

 William in 1736, soon after the death of his father. It was ordered 

 from London, and cost, when completed, 34 11s. 4d. It bears upon 

 the top the Pepperrell arms, which are described in the Herald's Of- 

 fice as " argent a chevron gules between three pine apples, slipt 

 vert. No crest is to be found to the above-mentioned arms, being an 

 ancient coat before crests were used." Beneath the coat of arms is the 

 following inscription : 



Here lyes the body of the Honourable 



WILLIAM PEPPERRELL ESQ 



who departed this Life the 15th Feb'y 



Anno Domini 1733. In the 87th Year 



of his Age. 



with the Remains of great part of 

 his Family. 



No inscription in memory of Sir William himself or any other of 

 the family has ever been added. Sir William was born in 1696, and 

 died in 1759. Dr. Parsons states that his funeral obsequies were at- 

 tended by a vast concourse. The drooping flags at half mast on both 

 shores of the Piscataqua, the solemn knell from neighboring churches, 

 the responsive minute-guns from all the batteries, and the mournful 

 rumbling of muffled drums announced that a great man had fallen and 

 was descending to the tomb. The funeral discourse, preached by 

 Rev. Dr. Stevens on the next Sabbath, was published by Lady Pep- 

 perrell, and a copy sent to each member of the house and council. He 

 was chosen a member of the Massachusetts legislature from Kittery 

 in 1726, and the next year was appointed a Councillor, the appoint- 

 ment being renewed, until his death, for thirty-two successive years, 

 during eighteen of which he served as President of the Board. 



In the field containing the tomb, and but a short distance from it, 

 is a single small slate grave-stone, bearing on the top a death's head, 

 rudely carved, and having this inscription : 

 Miriam Jackson 

 Dau'r to George 



& Joanah 



Jackson aged 



17 days Died 



Aug't ye llth 1720 



This was undoubtedly a child of Sir William's elder sister, Joanah, 

 who was born in 1692, married Dr. George Jackson, and died in 1725. 

 Lady Pepperrell survived her husband for thirty years, until 1789. 

 After Sir William's death she left the old mansion and built a neat 

 house in more modern style, near that of her daughter, Mrs. Spar- 

 hawk ^hereafter alluded to), and the village church, and here she died. 



PROCEEDINGS ESSEX INST., VOL. V. 22 MARCH, 1868. 



