Thomas Wills East Coker burial 1789

[willsy]

Whilst looking for any Thomas Wills in East Coker generally, I came across this burial and I am not totally sure of what it says, most people buried are wife/son of etc but for Thomas

Buried Thomas Wills in y*: Middle* Ally of ?ye Church

Can anyone help decipher what it says and means please

many thanks

[DRH123]

You seem to have pretty well deciphered it yourself. The two "ye" words with the "e" as a superscript are just a common way or writing "the", "middel" is just a non-standard spelling of "middle".

Richer or higher-status people were often buried within the church rather than the churchyard. This chap was buried in the central aisle of the church. You may find that there is still a memorial inscription there. It could be on the paving stone over his grave, or a plaque on a nearby wall or pillar.

David

[willsy]

Thank you David, just didn't think I was reading it right.