SHARP-EYED readers will have noticed the unusual wording on the headstone of Lucy Hicks, who is memorialised on the horse trough outside All Saints’ Church, Maldon (Standard, February 15).

Historian Stephen Nunn records that Lucy died on September 7, 1900, but the inscription on her headstone in the burial ground of Maldon Quaker Meeting house reads: Lucy Hicks, died 7th of 9th month 1900.

Early Friends (Quakers) objected to using names of days and scientious objector and co-founder of Amnesty International and the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament, also worshipped at Maldon Quaker meeting and is buried in our burial ground.

Visitors are welcome to enjoy the peace of our meeting house grounds or to join us for a time of quiet reflection at our meetings on Sun-day (10.30am) and Woden’sday (Wednesday) 12.30pm.

Laurie Andrews Overseer, Maldon Quakers Lawling Avenue, Heybridge months derived from pagan gods, e.g. Thursday – Thor, and March – Mars, so headstones were given numerals instead – e.g. fourth day of the third month.

The practice eventually fell into general disuse and more recent headstones use the familiar January, Friday etc.

But all the headstones have the same dimensions and lettering in accordance with our testimony to equality.

Like Lucy, Eric Baker (1920- 1976), a Second World War conscientious objector and co-founder of Amnesty International and the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament, also worshipped at Maldon Quaker meeting and is buried in our burial ground.

Visitors are welcome to enjoy the peace of our meeting house grounds or to join us for a time of quiet reflection at our meetings on Sun-day (10.30am) and Woden’sday (Wednesday) 12.30pm.

Laurie Andrews Overseer, Maldon Quakers Lawling Avenue, Heybridge