This interesting headstone can be found in the graveyard of St Mary's Church
in the Hertfordshire town of Ware.
The inscription on the headstone reads:
William Mead MD
Who Departed This Life
28th
October 1652
148 Years 9 Months
3 Weeks & 4 Days
Mr Mead as legend has it, developed an elixir
amongst over medicines which were sold from several shops in Ware high street. On his demise his wife had the above inscription
engraved on his headstone in the hope that it would boost sales and secure her financial future.
The stone was, until several years ago, lying
almost hidden in amongst long grass in an inaccessible part of the graveyard. The Ware Society paid for it to be lifted and
the inscription recut. Unfortunately the bumberling stonemasons, ignoring their instructions, promptly dropped the headstone and
smashed it into many pieces.
As can be seen by the photograph (taken autumn
2007) the stone was fixed back together (poorly) and reset in it's present location for all to enjoy.
