Maggoty Johnson's Grave
MAGGOTY JOHNSON'S GRAVE, MAGGOTY LANE
Listed on the National Heritage List for England. Search over 400,000 listed places
Overview
- Heritage Category:
- Listed Building
- Grade:
- II
- List Entry Number:
- 1329714
- Date first listed:
- 25-Oct-1985
- List Entry Name:
- Maggoty Johnson's Grave
- Statutory Address:
- MAGGOTY JOHNSON'S GRAVE, MAGGOTY LANE
Location
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Images of England Project
- Date:
- 2004-09-21
- Reference:
- IOE01/12698/22
- Rights:
- © Mr J M Pickering. Source: Historic England Archive
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Discover moreOfficial list entry
- Heritage Category:
- Listed Building
- Grade:
- II
- List Entry Number:
- 1329714
- Date first listed:
- 25-Oct-1985
- List Entry Name:
- Maggoty Johnson's Grave
- Statutory Address 1:
- MAGGOTY JOHNSON'S GRAVE, MAGGOTY LANE
The scope of legal protection for listed buildings
This List entry helps identify the building designated at this address for its special architectural or historic interest.
Unless the List entry states otherwise, it includes both the structure itself and any object or structure fixed to it (whether inside or outside) as well as any object or structure within the curtilage of the building.
For these purposes, to be included within the curtilage of the building, the object or structure must have formed part of the land since before 1st July 1948.
The scope of legal protection for listed buildings
This List entry helps identify the building designated at this address for its special architectural or historic interest.
Unless the List entry states otherwise, it includes both the structure itself and any object or structure fixed to it (whether inside or outside) as well as any object or structure within the curtilage of the building.
For these purposes, to be included within the curtilage of the building, the object or structure must have formed part of the land since before 1st July 1948.
Location
- Statutory Address:
- MAGGOTY JOHNSON'S GRAVE, MAGGOTY LANE
The building or site itself may lie within the boundary of more than one authority.
- District:
- Cheshire East (Unitary Authority)
- Parish:
- Gawsworth
- National Grid Reference:
- SJ8889070178
Details
SJ 87 SE
8890 7019
1/19
GAWSWORTH C.P.
(Off) MAGGOTY LANE
Maggoty Johnson's Wood
Maggoty Johnson's Grave
II
GV
Table tomb. Dated 1773. Stone slab on C20 brick plinth. Rectangular
stone raised on brick base. Inscription reads: Under this Stone/
Rest the remains of Mr SAMUEL JOHNSON/ Afterwards enobled with the
grander Title of/ LORD FLAME/ Who, after having been in his Life
distinct from other Men/ By the Exentricities of his Genius/ Chose
to retain the same character after his Death/ And was at his own
Desire buried here May 5th/ A.D. MDCCLXXIII aged 82/ Stay thou whom
Chance directs or ease persuades/ To seek the Quiet of these Silven
shades/ Here undisturbd hid from Vulgar Eyes/ A Wit. Musician.
Poet. Player lies/ A Dancing Master too in Grace he shone/ And all
the arts of Opera were his own/ In Comedy well skilled he drew Lord
Flame/ Acted the part and gained himself the Name/ Averse to Strife
how oft he'd gravely say/ These peaceful Groves should shade his
breathless Clay/ That when he rose again laid here alone/ No friend
and he should quarrel for a Bone/ Thinking that were some old lame
Gossip nigh/ She possibly might take his Leg or Thigh/.
Adjoining this is a second commemorative and admonitory slab. C19.
Ashlar on brick foundations. Rectangular stone slightly raised above
ground. Inscription reads: If chance hath brought thee here or
curious eyes/ To see the spot where this poor jester lies/ Thoughtless
jester, even in his death/ Uttering his jibes beyond his latest
breath/ O Stranger pause a moment pause and say/ "Tommorrow shouldst
thou quit thy house of clay/ where wilt thou be my soul?/ In
Paradise?/" Immortal spirit would thou then be blest/ Wailing thy
perfect bliss on Abraham's breast/ Boast not of silly art or wit or
fame/ Be thou ambitious of a Christian's name/ Seek not thy bodies
rest in peaceful grove/ Pray that thy soul may rest in Jesus' love/ O
speak not lightly of that dreadful day/ When all must rise in joy or
in dismay/ When spirits pure in body glorified/ With Christian
heavenly mansions shall abide/ While wicked souls shall hear the
Judge's doom/ Go ye accursed into endless gloom/ Look on that stone
and this and ponder well/ Then choose twixt Life and Death/ Twixt
Heaven and Hell/.
Listing NGR: SJ 88890 70178
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
- Legacy System number:
- 58605
- Legacy System:
- LBS
Legal
This building is listed under the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 as amended for its special architectural or historic interest.
Map
This map is for quick reference purposes only and may not be to scale. This copy shows the entry on 30-Jun-2026 at 03:40:56.
Download a full scale map (PDF)End of official list entry
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