MEM25607 - 19th century memorial stone in Winsford (Building)

A 19th century memorial stone in memory of William Corner, dated to 1888. The memorial stone stands at SS90634 35152, set into the base of a Devon hedgebank. It is formed of sandstone, with decorative quartz stones placed above it. The inscription reads: "T.D.A. William Corner 1888" The letters are inscribed in capitals, placed within rectangular or square plaques marked out with a linear boundary on the rough surface of the stone. The stone itself is an irregular shape, natural in form, rather than a manicured block. [1] T.D.A. are the initials of Sir Thomas Dyke Acland, the 11th Baronet (1809-1898), local landowner and MP until his defeat at the 1886 general election. The Acland herd of Exmoor ponies were quartered on Winsford Hill after the sale of the Exmoor Forest and the family owned the majority ofhte houses in the village and about two thirds of the farms until they were sold in 1926. The 11th Baronet, his father and grandfather, all supported rebuilding projects across their estate, including in Winsford. [2] William Corner is recorded on the 1851 census as living at Milton's Cottage, Winsford parish with his wife Elizabeth (nee Bevin) and son William Smith Corner. Both father and son have their occupation listed as "labourer- woodman" for the Acland estate. The plaque may mark William Corner Snr's retirement as he would have been 70 years old in 1888 when it was placed and was still alive and living in Winsford. [3]