Memorial 65
~ Slate ledger stone in vertical position embracing historic mortal tale
~ Orientation ~ South Wall ~ 134 x 74 cm // 4’5″ x 2’5″
- Robert Mark 1762 – 24 January 1802
- Aged 40 years
- of Polperro
- ‘Shot at Sea’
- Parish Records show
- Baptised 23 March 1766
- at Talland Church
In prime of Life moƒt suddenly
Sad tidings to relate;
Here view My utter deƒtiny
And pity My sad ƒtate
I by a ƒhot which Rapid flew
Was inƒtantly ƒtruck dead;
LORD pardon the Offender who,
My precious blood did ƒhed.
Grant Him to reƒt and forgive Me,
All I have done amiƒs;
And that I may Rewarded be,
With Everlaƒting Bliƒs
Stone citation
- Susanna Mark 1739 – 3 January 1805
- Aged 66 years
- Mother of Robert Mark
Robert Mark was one of the seventeen members of the Lottery crew, a large armed single-masted cutter that was suspected of smuggling vast quantities of contraband – gin, brandy, tea, tobacco, & salt – between the shores of Guernsey and the fishing village of Polperro.
In December 1798 the Lottery was challenged by the Customs officials, drawing along side in small rowing boats – a stand off, a commotion, shots were fired and a Customs man was killed. The Capital Offence attracted a large reward of £200, but it was one informer and a very large Revenue cutter called the Hind, with a crew of 41 men, sixteen carriage guns and a swivel gun at the stern, that eventually captured the Lottery. Robert Mark was prosecuted and convicted of smuggling with armed resistance and tried at the Old Bailey. He was sentenced to two years hard labour abroad a prison hulk moored on the Thames, shifting sand and gravel.
The account has many more twists and turns to the tragic event; in April 1801 the first Preventive Water Guard boat was stationed at Polperro.
Times, December 31st 1798. Murder at Sea, Jeremy Rowett Johns. Newgate Calendar of Prisoners, 1785-185
Talland Church Headstones 
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