William and Martha's gravestone in Tresmeer churchyard

William and Marthas gravestone
The gravestone bears the inscription:-

In
Memory of
WILLIAM TREASE
of North Tregeare in this parish
Superannuated Officer of
Excise
, who departed this life
On the 2nd April 1856
AGED 86 YEARS
Also of MARTHA his Wife
Who died July 15th 1855
AGED 84 YEARS
~~~
Blessed are the dead, proclaimed a voice above,
Who die in Christ, abiding in his love,
They rest from labour in the peaceful tomb,
They rise to glory in the world to come.


NOTE:Superannuated officer of Excise. Parliamentary papers show that William's pension, when he died, was £65 a year - a substantial income in those days. He would have been in receipt of such a pension from 1820 when he was retired early on health grounds. His pensionable job had a significant impact on the subsequent well being of his family and was probably a matter of some pride.