CHAPTER XXVI
THE MARSH CHURCHES OF EAST LINDSEY
THE PLAGUE-STONE
West Theddlethorpe—Saltfleetby—All Saints—Skidbrook—South Somercotes—Grainthorpe—Marsh Chapel.
An inconspicuous little byway starts from near Alford
station and runs parallel with the line about a mile northwards
to Tothby, where it bends round and loses itself in a network
of lanes near South Thoresby. At Tothby, under a weeping
ash tree on the lawn in front of the old Manor House farm,
is an interesting relic of bygone days. It is a stone about a
yard square and half a yard thick, once shaped at the corners
and with a socket in it. Evidently it is the base of an old churchyard,
wayside, or market cross of pre-reformation times. And
it has been put to use later as a plague-stone, having been for
that purpose placed on its edge and half buried probably, and
a hole seven inches by five, and two and a half inches deep,
cut in the upper side. This was to hold vinegar into which
the townspeople put the money they gave for the farm produce
brought from the country in times of plague.
The great desire was to avoid contact with possibly plague-stricken people. So the country folk brought their poultry, eggs, etc., laid them out at fixed prices near the stone and then retired. Then the town caterer came out and took what was wanted, placing the money in the vinegar, and on his retiring in turn, the vendors came and took their money, which was disinfected by its vinegar bath. The buyers, of course, had to pay honestly or the country folk would cut off the supplies, and they probably appointed one of their number as salesman.
