William Billinge, 1679-1791

[SmallTownGirl]

There's an article in the November issue of Derbyshire Life which contains an image of a gravestone from Longnor churchyard, that reads:

In memory of William Billinge, who
was born in a Cornfield, at Fawfieldhead in
this Parifh in the Year 1679. At the age of
25 years he enlifted into His Majefty's Service
under Sir George Rooke, and was at the taking
of the Fortreff of Gibraltar, in 1704.  He after-
wards ferved under the Duke of Marlborough at
the ever Memorable Battle of Ramillies,
fought on the 23rd of May, 1706, where he
was wounded by a mufket shot in the thigh. 
He afterwards returned to his native country and
with manly courage defended his Sovereign's
rights at the Rebellion in 1715 and 1745.  He
died within the space of 150 yards of where
he was born and he was interred here the 30th of
January 1791, aged 112 years.
Billieted by Death, I quartered here remain.
When the trumpet sounds. I'll rife and march again.

Someone must have thought a lot of him to have paid for all that carving on his gravestone.

STG

[goldie61]

Here's a photo of the gravestone.
I visited Longnor a few years ago as I have ancestors from there, and saw this in the graveyard (not related to me though).
I seem to remember it's in a pretty prominent spot as you walk towards the church!
I think I remember reading that the original eroded a lot, and this is a replacement stone - it certainly doesn't look as if it's been there since 1791, so some people still thinking a lot of him to get it redone SmallTownGirl.

[SmallTownGirl]

I wonder what the source of their information was.  112 would be an extra-ordinary age now let alone in 1791.

STG

[..claire..]

Hi

There is a lengthy entry for his burial in the parish register too

W Billing was buried at this church on Sunday 30 Jan 1791 aged 112. He enlisted unto the service of his country under Sir George Rook at the taking of the fortress of Gibraltar in 1704. He afterwards served under the duke of Wallbrough and Prince Eugene of Savoy at the even more memorable Battle of Ramillies, on the 23 May 1706 where he was wounded by a musket shot in the thigh.

Claire