File:RichardBeapleMonument BarnstapleChurch Devon.PNG

English: Monument to Richard Beaple (1563-1643), St Peter's Church, Barnstaple, Devon

The monument in St Peter's Church is now located in the south aisle of the chancel. Before the Victorian restoration it was located in the Mayor's Aisle in the north aisle, as was recorded in 1780 by Benjamin Incledon (1730-1796) who described it as a "Neat monument wherein is the figure of a man. In the Mayor's Isle ag(ain)st nth. east wall". It contains two slate tablets inscribed as follows, top tablet:

"To the memorie of the Wor(shipful) Richard beaple, merchant, thrice may(or) of this towne who departed this life Decemb(er) 30th A(nn)o aetat(is)^[1] 79 1643".

The lower tablet is inscribed in verse thus:

Were't not more wisely done if w^th consent,

Wee join'd to batter downe this monument,

Lest when the sorrowing poor lift up their eyes,

they drown the voyce o' th'sermon w^th their cryes.

Let that bee others doome, such as can give,

With liberall spirit, but onely whiles they live.

As for this senator, his nobler minde,

Within one age did scorne to bee confin'd,

For which to future ages he convay'd,

So rich a portion duly to bee pay'd,

That thenceforth tears being banish't it might bring,

To the orphans joy and make poor widowes sing.

Let those who'de have their monuments to stand,

Take fayr example from this bounteous hand.