Boothby monument at Ashbourne

Boothby monument at Ashbourne This monument, in St Oswalds church, Ashbourne, is to Penelope Boothby who died in 1791 at the age of 5. It was carved in carrara marble by Thomas Banks and is so lifelike, she appears to be sleeping. The epitaph reads 'She was in form and intellect most exquisite; The unfortunate parents ventured their all on this frail bark and the wreck was total'. It is believed that Penelope's parents seperated at the childs grave and never spoke again. There are many other worthwhile monuments in St Oswalds church, inparticular those to the Cockane and Bradbourne families.