252 A TOPOGRAPHICAL, &c. 



Dale, died the 15th of May, 1794, in the 89th year of his age ; and 

 Ann Rigby, died Nov. 15, 1738, in the " 9th year of her age." 



There is a singular tomb in this church-yard, of a young man 

 who is said to have been murdered by his villainous master, for the 

 sake of some money which he received from him as a loan. The 

 report is, that a strong opiate was given to the unfortunate victim 

 of avarice, and during the time of its operation he was placed in a 

 coffin and buried. Some suspicion of foul play arising, the coffin 

 was raised, and on opening it, there were evident proofs that the 

 young man had awoke in the grave, and partly turned in the coffin, 

 where he died for want of air ! The body was then replaced in the 

 coffin, and buried in Rushton-Spencer church-yard with the head to- 

 wards the east, and the following inscription on a tomb-stone : 



"Memento Mori. THOMAS, the son of THOMAS and MARY ME AY KIN, in- 

 terred July 16, 1781. 



As a man falleth before wicked men, so fell I." 



The Church is dedicated to St. Lawrence : it is in the patronage 

 of the Vicar of Leek, and the Rev. James Turner, of Meerbrook, i 

 the present minister. 



