ALIVE AT HIS FUNERAL ON

1 JANUARY 1789 AT ST. BRIDGET=S, BECKERMET, CUMBERLAND

CLEMENT DIED AGED 79 ON 29 DECEMBER 1788 AT PRIOR LING, CALDER VALLEY

HAVING PREVIOUSLY LIVED IN ENNERDALE & TORTLECOTE, HAILE

A LOCAL NEWPAPER REPORTED  98 DESCENDANTS ATTENDING, INCLUDING HIS WIDOW

Clement appears to have been much loved and respected.    One can imagine the scene with so many family members reunited for this solemn but also joyous occasion.    These too, of course, were also descendants of his widow Jane who must have been very gratified by the sight of all her offspring and their families.   Brothers and sisters would have been reunited, babies and children exclaimed over and hitherto unknown cousins introduced.

In addition, one assumes the funeral was also attended by other of Clement & Jane's relations, nephews, nieces and the like as well as all those friends and neighbours who would have wished to pay their respects.  

The interior of the tiny church of St. Bridget's would not have accommodated a fraction of the mourners so one assumes that many would have had to congregate in the churchyard.   The road from Beckermet village is narrow and winding so one also wonders where the horses and carts of those travelling from further afield could have been accommodated.    No doubt all was arranged and managed to satisfaction.   It is just a pity that photography had not been invented at the time.