Man of three centuries

John Pitt's longevity is legendary. He was a native of the village of Halstock, just inside the Dorset border. Born on 26th January 1799 he lived for 101 years and 361 days eventually dying on 20 January 1901. Unhappily for him he ended his days in the Sherborne Union Workhouse; nevertheless, the inhabitants of Halstock thought he was worth remembering and paid for a gravestone by subscription. This saved him from being buried in a pauper's grave with no memorial.

It's amazing what interesting information one can find in a churchyard!