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St Lawrence’s Church
St Lawrence’s Church – An epitaph on one gravestone is said to read:
“Fear no more the heat o’ the Sun
Nor the furious winter’s rages
Thou thy worldly task hast done
Home art gone, and ta’en thy wages”
It is said that a stone in the corner of the vestry reputedly records the death of Joseph Hunt, rector of Eyam and buried on 16th December 1709, together with his wife who died six years earlier. She was the daughter of a village publican. One day whilst under the influence of alcohol the rector and Ann took part in a mock wedding ceremony. However, the Bishop found out and insisted upon their marrying legally. This caused uproar and a breach of promise as the rector was already engaged to a Derby woman. Some years passed in litigation which cost the rector his money and his friends and resulted in him taking permanent shelter in the vestry where he remained in sanctuary from the law hounds until his death!
Next to the church is The Rectory rebuilt in 1768 which was at one time the home of Rev. Thomas Seward whose daughter Anna (born in Eyam in 1747) came to be known as the ‘Swan of Lichfield’ where she later lived. The rectory was also occupied for a time by a Dowager Duchess of Devonshire who had a penchant for exaggerated millinery creations. Doorways had to be enlarged to enable her to pass through without stooping and dislodging her head-dresses!
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