A child had been born to them at Belvoir, who survived its birth only a few hours.

During the following four years at Stathern were born three other children--the two sons, George and John, in 1785 and 1787, and a daughter in 1789, who died in infancy.
Stathern is a village about four miles from Belvoir Castle, and the drive or walk from one to the other lies through the far-spreading woods and gardens surrounding the ducal mansion.

Crabbe entered these woods almost at his very door, and found there ample opportunity for his botanical studies, which were still his hobby.

As usual his post was that of _locum tenens_, the rector, Dr.Thomas Parke, then residing at his other living at Stamford.

My friend, the Rev.J.W.Taylor, the present rector of Stathern, who entered on his duties in 1866, tells me of one or two of the village traditions concerning Crabbe.