The Penrice "Murder Stone"

The Penrice 'Murder Stone,' - Penrice Churchyard

Mary Kavanagh, who lived in the Gower village of Penmaen in the early 19th Century, had her life cut short by an unknown hand. Her grave is marked near the front of Penrice Church and is known as the 'Murder Stone.' The gravestone inscription, which today is getting rather difficult to decipher beneath all the lichen growing on it, reads:

'To the memory
of
Mary, wife of James Kavanagh of
Penmaen, who was murdered by
...
on the 3rd October 1829
aged 75 years'

It is believed that this inspription was designed to prick the conscience of the unknown murderer and get him to confess his sins. Whether his/her identity ever came to light or a suitable punishment meted upon them is not known.