To the memory of a trusty servant, a loyal subject, a kind master, a faithfull friend, a loving husband and a good Christian. And now reader think not, yet this is to ye memory of MANY but wonder that ‘tis to that of ONE. To that of Mr. JOHN ROLLESTON of Rolleston, in Staffordshire well born and well bred. Well knowne & therefore well loved by ye high and mighty. Wm. late lord duke of Newcastle and his noble family as having had ye honour of being his secretary when he himself had yet great one of being Governor to the prince afterwards King Charles the Second as likewise that of secretary, to ye army under his excellencies command in ye late unhappy warrs. His approved honesty and abilities in business rendered him highly usefull to his master and his country particular to the former in ye management and preservation of his estate in a time when ye government: it felt it was too weak to preserve anything from RAPINE and RUINE. The advantages raised to himself out of a long & meritorious service were almost entirely lost upon the declining future of ye royal party at Marston Moor & yet his good service in ye end mett with what he valued above all, ye honour of having been highly trusted and ye comfort of having honestly discharged the trust. To ye many blessings of ye man here remains was added that of a long life he having lived to the age of 84 years: a long but to him a glorious tyme of tryal.

He departed this life ye 22nd of December 1681 in full hopes of a joyfull Resurrection to a much better.

Erected (as a MONUMENT of true love) by his entirely beloved wife and sorrowfull widow MRS ELIZABETH ROLLESTON now living in this parish MDCLXXXVI