The parish records of St Mary's Lydney records that my putative ancestor Thomas Morgan was buried on April 3rd 1711. The parish records also record: “October 11th 1711 received of Prudence Morgan of Coleford widow ten shillings for a mortuary due upon the death of her husband Thomas Morgan late of Lidney by order of Mr Matthews Esq received by me” (the “me” here refers to THOMAS GWILLIM, Vicar of Lydney). Thomas Gwillim has his own MI in Lydney Church: he died 2nd June 1726.

I have failed to find such a mortuary for poor Thomas - neither Bigland nor the admirable Gloucestershire MI CD mentions such a grave. I have searched the graveyard in vain. There are several MIs for the wealthier Thomas Morgans of Hurst inside the church. I wonder if I can get a refund of my ten bob on behalf of my ancestor: it would be worth £75 in today's money.