Mary Bax's Stone

Mary Bax, 23, was walking the Ancient Highway from Deal to Sandwich carrying a parcel when she was accosted by Martin Lash (also recorded as Laas), a Swedish or Norwegian sailor who had deserted his ship anchored in the Downs. When she refused to hand it over he beat her to death and hid her body in a ditch; the attack was witnessed by a 13-year-old boy who raised the alarm. Lash was caught asleep in a churchyard in Folkestone still carrying the stolen parcel, and was hanged at Penenden Heath, Maidstone, in March 1784. Mary is buried in an unmarked grave in St Peter's churchyard, Sandwich; a supplementary plaque with the inscription was later added and has reportedly gone missing/been recovered by local historians at various points.