Source: Pudsey News
Date: undated
Subject: Blackburn death
- In the churchyard there are several very handsome monuments, while in connection with one tombstone near the footway, on the south side, there is a remarkable and interesting story.. Opposite to the church there is a spacious house, which in former days was occupied by Mr Carlyle, who had an only daughter. The young lady's affections had been won by a Joseph Blackburn, but the lady's father being determinedly opposed to the match, the young couple found some difficulty in meeting. Woman's ingenuity, however, prevailed, and when the father thought his household was all in bed his daughter was exchanging her vows of affection for the man of her choice. To further the accomplishment of this young Blackburn was in the habit of climbing a wide headstone above the kitchen window, and standing there supported himself by holding the sill of the lady's bed chamber window. On one unlucky moonlit night, however, old Mr Carlyle thought he heard suspicious sounds outside the house, which were in reality caused by young Blackburn climbing to the headstone. the old gentleman listened and at last came to the conclusion that burglars were at work. seizing an old sword, he rushed to the kitchen, and through the window he saw the form of a man climbing up the wall. He thrust the sword through the top pane of glass and the blade penetrated the bowels of the unfortunate Blackburn, just as he clutched the sill of the bedroom window at which his lady love was waiting to receive him. Blackburn died of his wounds soon afterwards in the prescence of his sweetheart.. Her father was not punished, the law considering there was no maicious intent to injure Blackburn; but thinking he was attacking a burglar Carlyle's offence became one of justifiable homicide. On the tomb alluded to there is the following inscription:
In Memory of
JOSEPH BLACKBURN
who died on the 25th day of May, 1826, aged 31 years.
Sharp was the stroke that did appear, Which took my life away; Oh reader, then for heaven prepare, on earth you cannot stay; The moon gave light, he took sight, Through the top pane I lost my life.

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