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(Continued from page 53)
and this his Honour signed.
LINCOLNSHIRE CHRONICLE October 14th 1870
CAISTOR - Coming to the old town of Caistor the other day while travelling in the north of Lincolnshire, and having a little time to spend there we availed ourselves of the opportunity of visiting some of the places of interest in it. The ancient church is dedicated to St Peter and St Paul, first claimed our interest. It is an old building of Early English architecture, with some remains of Norman work in the lower portion of the tower. This church was erected in the reign of Henry III and stands in an area of the old fortress which was built by Hengist after defeating the Picts and Scots. It consists of a nave and aisles, a south transept, a chancel and a tower at the west end. About eight years ago the old unsightly high backed pews, which we recollect having seen when visiting the old town about 37 years since (that time we were there) have all been removed, and replaced with neat and comfortable open stalls, which give the church a light and rather elegant appearance. To the north of the church stands the Free School, which was repaired by subscription in 1838. Adjoining the school ground is a neat Independent Chapel built in 1842 and near at hand, stand the Weslyan and Primitive Methodist Chapels. We remark on the singular coincidence that the state church and Dissenting places of worship were in such close proximity, a circumstance not often seen elsewhere. On enquiry we learnt that all were well attended, the church especially so. There are no other buildings of particular interest in the place that we noticed. The irregularity of the streets - the town standing on the western declivity of the Wold hills - gives the place a singular appearance and to the traveller anything but agreeable sensation, especially when pedestrianizing, from the up hill and down dale formation of the country on which it stands. It was market day but like Aesop when in search of an honest man we almost needed a candle and lanthorn to find it, it was infinitesimally small. Appended are a few specimens of Epitaph lore from the tombstones in the church yard :-
To the memory of Samuel Carr who died May 9th 1823
Farewell dear friends, and faithful wife
My son and Aunt adieu
Though never in this mortal life
Again you must me view
Close in the Saviours foot steps tread
Of love divine possessed
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