Graveslab in Unknown Townland

The present St. Catherine's Church (1769) occupies the site of an early 13th century medieval parish church (DU018-020074----). In the graveyard (DU018-138----) to the S of the church there was a 17th century graveslab marking the grave of merchant Robert Bagot of Drogheda who died in 1613 and his wife Ellenor Bathe who died 1616. The graveslab was described in 1898 as follows; 'In the Churchyard : — "HEAR VNDER LIETH THE CORPS OF ROBART BAGOT OF DROGHEDA MARCHANT SVRVYVINE FFEAFFi OF SAINTE KATHERINS [C]HVRCH WHO DECEASED THE 14 OF FEBRVARIE 1613 AND HIS WIFE ELLENOR - BATHE DECEASED. THE 5 OF NOVEMBER 1616 WHOSE SOVLS-THE LORD HAVE MERCY VPON AMEN. 'Near the head of the stone is a cross and the letters I H S, and in the lower half the letters WEB, with a sort of true lover's knot round therm. Why the letter W is here, and not the letter R, for Robert, we are at a loss to understand.' See attached drawing by Miss C. L. Long of the tombstone of the merchant Robert Bagot of Drogheda and his wife Elenor Bathe taken from the Journal of the Association for the Preservation of the Memorials of the Dead in Ireland, 239. Long, C.L. 1898-1900 St Catherine's Parish, Thomas Street. Journal of the Association for the Preservation of the Memorials of the Dead in Ireland 4, 238-9. Compiled by: Geraldine Stout Revised by: Caimin O'Brien Date of revised upload: 14 August 2012