The Carter Stone

sketchfab

The New Forest boasts a memorial stone honoring Samuel Carter, who met his untimely demise in a hunting mishap on January 16, 1883. This tribute lies off the beaten path, but can be reached with a brief stroll from Kings Hat Car Park. The inscription etched onto the stone serves as a poignant reminder: "This stone marks the spot where S Carter lost his life while hunting with New Forest hounds, January 16, 1883." A striking contrast is presented on the opposite side, where an ancient phrase boldly asserts, "In the midst of life, we are in death." Unfortunately, this timeless message has been marred by modern graffiti advocating for the fox hunting ban. Originally, the monument was safeguarded by wrought iron railings and came with a yearly stipend of five shillings to the local caretaker. Today, one can spot smooth edges where ponies have utilized it as a scratching post, while various initials have been added to the surface.