Native of Abyssinia
The grave of Thomas Lee, who passed away in June 1801.
In the churchyard of All Saints Church, Aston is a headstone marking the grave of Thomas Lee who died on 30th June 1801. Thomas was a native of Abyssinia (now Ethiopia) and was brought to England by Harry Verelst when he retired as Governor of Bengal in 1769.
In 1771, Thomas Lee was baptised at St Margaret’s at Lee in Lewisham, London and the entry in the parish register reads “Thomas Lee the Indian black servant of Governor Verelst was baptised July the 17th 1771”.
In 1773, Harry bought the Aston Estate from Robert, Earl of Holderness and brought his wife Ann and his servant Thomas to the newly built Aston Hall where he lived until his death in 1801. The wording on his gravestone tells us that Thomas was valued by the Verelsts.
It reads: This stone is erected in grateful remembrance of the long and faithful services of Thomas Lee, Native of Abyssinia who having lived for 30 years in the family of the Verelsts, died June 30 1801.
Thomas lived in Aston during the time that William Mason was Rector. William was a friend of William Wilberforce who worked tirelessly for the abolition of slavery. In this he was supported by William Mason and on the 24th January 1788, Mason baptised an American freed slave in York Minster and preached against the slave trade. I like to think that Thomas may have influenced Mason’s views on slavery.
Unfortunately time and weather have eroded the stone and the inscription is no longer legible.
Aston-cum-Aughton History Group decided to have made an engraved stone to be placed in the ground in front of the original stone so that Thomas can continue to be remembered.
This stone has very kindly been donated by C. Pritchard & Son, Funeral Directors of Swallownest and has now been placed in the churchyard in front of Thomas’ headstone.
A dedication service will be held at the graveside of Thomas Lee on Sunday 19th February 2012 at 11.15 am after morning service.
Tea and coffee will be available in the Narthex of the church after the short ceremony.
Aston Cum Aughton History Group meets on the 1st and 3rd Monday of each month at the William Layne reading room between 7-9pm.
Old photos of Aston Cum Aughton (to copy and return) would be greatly appreciated. New members welcome, contact Jeff Blades on 0114 2872102 or Ann Key on 0114 2872610.
Ann Key
Aston-cum-Aughton History Group
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Wednesday 23 May 2012
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