# The Monumental Inscriptions in the Parish Church of S. Michael, Coventry/Monuments in Stone & Brass

Monuments in Stone & Brass
on the Walls.
(The position of these Monuments is shown by Roman Letters within the Plan of the Church.)
Mercer's Chapel.
A.
On the Eastern wall a bas-relievo in Bath Stone, executed by Boulton, Worcester, representing Elizabeth and John Baptist. On a brass inserted in the base, is engraved-
   "Sacred to the memory of Elizabeth Sarah, the beloved wife of Joseph Cash, jun., died January 24th, 1863, aged 33 years."
Mrs. Cash was the eldest daughter of the late Charles Iliffe, of this City.
Mr. Cash died October 14th, 1880,' aged 53 years. Both were buried in the Cemetery.
B.
A painted stone Tablet bears the following, in gilt capital letters—
   "An Elegicall epitaph, made upon the death of that mirror | of women Ann Newdigate, Lady Skeffington, wife to that | true moaneing turtle Sir Richard Skeffington, Kt., & consecrat | ed to her eternall memorie by the unfeigned lover | of her vertues, Willm. Bulstrode, Knight |
   "Vertue humble, beautie chaste, pious wit, Husband's honour, women's glorye, sweetlye knit, And all comprised fairelye in this one, Sad fate hath here enshrined with this stone. Vertue triumph, for thou hast woon the prize ; Beautie teach women to be chaste & wise ; Make her your patterne of a vertuous life, Who lived & died a faire unspotted wife. She was the mirror of her age and dayes, And now the subject of transcendent prayse. O what a harmonye man's life would be, Were women all but neare so good as she ! Here life was such as feared no sting of death, But dared him by so strong undoubting faith; As that he did but mildlye steale unto her, And gentlye whispered, as he meant to wooe her ; And she as gentlye yeelded straight to goe, Before 'twas knowne if she were dead or no; Nor is she dead: her soul to heaven stept, The rest stayes here till it awhile hath slept ; And her fame here still lives, & still shall wake, Till all good memorie shall earth forsake. Thrice blessed soule, wee'le not our grieffe belye, Wee wayle not thee, but our own destinye. Yet, in our loss of thee, this is our glorye, That 'tis thy happiness that makes us sorye."
   W. B.
   "Obiit Maii 21. { ætatis suæ 29. anno Dni. 1637."
Above are the arms of Skeffington, (plate I) Arg. three bulls heads erased sable, impaling;—Gules, three bears paws arg. for Newdigate.
Pl. II.
(Upload an image to replace this placeholder.)
C.
A white marble tablet on grey stone—
   "As a token of respect | gratitude and veneration | for departed excellence | this tablet is inscribed to the memory of | Sarah widow of Charles Belcher | by her surviving children | She died at Warwick 29th day of February 1816 | in the 83rd year of her age | and was buried in the family vault of this Church."
There was also a flat stone in the Mercer's Chapel before the restoration of the Church, a copy of which is given hereafter.
D.
Immediately beneath the foregoing is a quaint monument with the following inscription, in old capitals, surmounted by a shield of arms, (plate ii.):—
   "Forbid not | little ones to come unto Christ, for of such | is the kingdom of heaven. | Out of these stones shall God rayse | a childe of William Staunton, of | Staunton, in the com. of Nott., Esq, and | Anne, his wife, who hear offer | up, as holy to ye Lord, ye first fruit | of ye wombe, their eldest daughter | Fraunces, who performed hir vow | to forsake the world, anno ætatis 7 | anno Salutis 1638. This is no monument | of their griefe, but a memorial of that blessing, ye guift whearof | they so loved that they held even |the loss deare.—
   "Deare losse, who this remaynes alone, That we, bad parents, give a stone; Since destiny, as it appeares, By method kills not, nor by years; And thou, who tookest our shape & breath, Are made our auncient now in death, Be thou our pledge to Heaven, whylst we Haste to the grave to follow thee."
And on a panel at the bottom of the monument-
   "To live, nor know life did advaunce Thy life to extasy and traunce, And what was dreame before, past on, Comsumated in vision: The Tree of Knowledge, scap'd untasted, is, Thy plea to innocence and paradise."
E.
A large monument of blue and white marble, surmounted by a bust, beneath which are the arms (plate ii.); lower are two figures in bas relief, pointing to a scroll on which is written—
   "The prayers and blessings of little children follow him by whose benevolence they were cheered, and whose bounty yet furnishes their comforts."
On the panel is inscribed—
   "Sacred to the memory of EDWARD ATKINS, Esq., of | LONDON, who departed this life | the XII. day of March, MDCCXCIII., Aged LX. years. | His LOSS is sincerely felt by all those | who had the HAPPINESS of his Acquaintance. | He was a kind FRIEND | and a generous BENEFACTOR | He endured a long and painful ILLNESS | with great FORTITUDE and RESIGNATION | in the firm hope of a JOYFUL | Immortality."
He left a legacy of £500, invested in consols, to Fairfax's Charity School.
This monument was formerly on the North wall of the Chancel, and also a flat stone there recording the date of his death.
F.
On the West side of S. Thomas or Capper's Chapel is a large monument in coloured marble, surmounted by a bust and two others at the top of the side panels, altogether about 15 feet high. Arms (plate ii.)
On the tomb is inscribed—
   "Near this Place lye the Remains of RICHARD HOPKINS, Esq., and of MARY, his beloved Wife, | to the Pious Memory of Whom this Monument is erected | By the Order of their only Son, EDWARD HOPKINS; | With design to transmit to Posterity the Character of Both, | Justly allowed to them in the Age they lived in. | RICHARD was a Tender Husband, an Indulgent Father, a Sincere Friend. | A Devout Protestant, and a true Loyal Patriot; | Of the Latter He gave Proofs in the several Parliaments | In which, for many years, He Represented this City. | MARY no less possessed all the Virtues of her sex: She was Charitable, Chaste, and Pious, a dutiful Wife, and an Affectionate Mother. He departed this Life February 1st, 1707, in the 68th year of his age | She, October 13th, 1711, in the 63rd year of her age. |
On the centre panel of the base—
And on the side panels—
   "Also | Anna Maria, daughter of | Hugh Chamberlen, M.D., | of St Paul's, (C. G.) Westminster, | and of Alderton Hall, in the county of Suffolk, | And relict of the Rt. Hon. Edward Hopkins, | whom she survived thirty-two years, |and died February the 9th, 1768, aged 67. |
   "Also | Richard, the eldest son of |Edwd. & Anna Maria Hopkins, | who served in seven | successive Parliaments of Great Britain | during thirty-eight years, | and filled, with honour and ability, the post of a Lord Commissioner of the Admiralty | And other Public Offices. He died March the 18th, 1799, | aged 71 years."
Richard Hopkins represented Coventry in the reigns of Charles II. and William and Mary, and his son Edward in the reign of Queen Anne.
This monument was removed here from the North side of the chancel, and there were flat stones in the middle aisle and chancel, marking the place of burial of these and other members of the family.
G.
On the Eastern side of the North porch is a monument in Bath stone-
   Near this spot are deposited the remains of William Perkins, late cf Warwick, Who died June 6, 1821, Aged 47 years. And of his wife, Letitia, Who died October 27, 1851, Aged 77 years. Also of Mary Ann and Letitia, daughters of the above.
There was also a flat stone at the West end, recording the death of Thomas, William, and Letitia.
H.
Below on a stone let into the wall is a brass, 2 feet by 18 inches, formerly in the chancel, on which is the figure of a woman, in the attitude of prayer, and inscribed in capital letters—
   "Her zealous care to serve her God, Her constant love to husband deare Her harmeles harte to everie one Doth live although her corps lye here, God graunte us all while glass doth run, To live in Christ as she hath done.
   Ann Sewell, ye wife of Willm Sewell, of this Cytty vint | ner, departed this life ye 20th of Decemr. 1609, of the age of |46 years; an humble follower of her Saviour Christ, | and a worthy stirror up of others to all Holy vertues.
This was formerly on the North wall of the chancel.
I.
Over the door leading to the chamber above the south porch, commonly called the Capper's Chapel, is an alabaster monument recently restored by the compiler of these pages. On the top are the arms of the family (plate ii.)
   Ο βίος βραχύς, ήδί τέχνη μακρά
   "Astleius, medici proles succumbit in urna Gentis, at ioóleov non tulit ante virum Patria, vita, genus, dotesq. Minerva parentum Pervaluêre dice livida fata dolent. Cur lachrymæ sulcarent imbribus oras, Dum petit æthereas sacrior ille domas? Cælicolis celebs cur non celebraret Olympum! Astrææ generi consociare licet. Jam Mesue sileat, Myrepsus, Præpositusq.; Præripiat palmum pauperibusq. Pater. Vivat & Abrahamo, sed Nomen marmore dignum Auratum superest. aureus Abrahamus.
   Obiit Coventriæ, Jan. 22, Anno Domini 1662, annóq. ætatis 41."
   Life is short, but art is long.
   Here lieth Astley, a Physician's Son, Under the tombstone of his ancestry; But never yet that ancestry produced A man so like to the divinity. Life, country, family, and nature's gifts, With the renowned profession of his sire, Have long endured and mourn his darksome death. Wherefore should tears then furrow with their rain; Our eyes moist fringes : while with holier heart He seeks the heavenly mansions of the blest? Why should he not with angels habit heaven, A celibate? For with Astroea's race We well may join him ? Now may Messue Keep silence, and Myrepsus haste to snatch The palm ; for first preferred, and 'mongst the poor Held as a father; still let Abraham's praise Live ever, though to day his name doth live, Worthy in marble, to stand charactered A golden name, a golden Abraham.
   He died in Coventry, Jan. 22, A.D. 1662, aged 41.
J.
Near to the last is a brass, 26 by 22 inches, taken from a plain stone in the floor at the West End of the Church; it bears the following quaint inscription and arms, (plate 3):—
   "Here lies the body of Captn. Gervase Scrope, of the family |of Scropes, of Bolton, in the county of York, who | departed this life the 26 of August, anno Dni, 1705, | aged 66."
   "An Epitaph, written by himself, in the agony and dolorous paines of the gout, and dyed soon after.
   "Here lyes an old toss'd Tennis Ball: Was racketted, from spring to fall, With so much heat and so much hast, Time's arm for shame grew tyred at last.
   Four kings in camps he truly served, And from his loyalty ne'er swerv'd, Father ruin'd and son slighted, And from the Crown ne'er requited. Loss of estate, relations blood, Was too well known, but did no good; With long campaigns and paines oth' govt He could no longer hold it out. Always a restless life he led, Never at quiet till quite dead. He marry'd, in his later days, One who exceeds the comon praise; But wanting breath still to make known Her true affection and his own, Death kindly came all wants supplied By giving rest-which life deny'd."
K.
Above the doorway leading the chamber, over the porch, is a brass, 18in. by 9½in., taken from a flat stone in the North aisle, engraved in capital letters:-
   "Here resteth the body of Lisle Cave, | late of Horsepool, in the County of Leicester, Esq., | the 5th sonne of Francis Cave, of Baggrave, in the | same County, Doctor of Lawes, and borne at Stanford, in the County of Northampton, wch | Lisle Cave first married Mary, ye daughter of Rob. Sampson of Carsey, in ye County of Suff. Esq., who | died at Horsepoole, leaving him issue 4 daughters; | and after he married Judeth, the daughter of Willm. | Porter, of Estcott, in ye County of Warwick, Esq., | by whom he had issue 2 sonnes and 4 daughters. He dyed the 10th of Feb. 1622—1623. |
Dugdale says this brass had a coat of arms in his day, viz:— Quarterly, 1 and 4 a fret, 2 and 3 erm on a bend, three ——— erased with a greyhound in chief collared.
L.
In St. Thomas' or Dyer's Chapel, now used as a Baptistery, on the East wall is a large monument, having two bas relievo busts of females, and two lozenges of arms, (plate iii.,) and inscriptions on two panels:—
   "Sacred to the memory of DAME MARY BRIDGEMAN, | Sole Daughter of Sir Thos. CAVE, | of STANFORT, in ye County of LEICESTER, Bart. | ​and Relict of Sir ORLANDO | (he Deceased the 20th of April, 1701, | (aged 51,) and was buried here). She died the 8th of June, 1701, | in the 50th Year of her age.
   "Mrs. ELIZA SAMWELL, third daughter of RICHD. SAMWELL, of GEATON, | in NORTHAMPTONSHIRE, Esq., and FRANCES his wife, | Eldest Daughter of Viscount Ld. WENMAN, of | TAME PARK, OXFORDSHIRE, and sister to Lady CAVE. | She dyed June 5, 1724, and Ordered this Monument to be Erected | as a Remembrance of their | Great and Long | Friendship."
Sir Orlando Bridgeman, 1st Baronet, died at Teddington, 1624. His grandson, Sir Orlando Bridgeman, 3rd Baronet, lived at the ancient house in Little Park Street, which was taken down about 70 years since. He represented Coventry in the 4th, 7th, and 12th Parliaments of Queen Anne together with Edward Hopkins. Several donations to the Church are recorded from Lady Bridgeman. Sir Orlando and his wife, Lady Mary Bridgeman, Mr. Samwell, and another person probably Lisle Cave, were buried in a vault under the North side of the Church.
This monument was taken from the South wall of the Chancel.
M.
To the West of the Dyer's Chapel, a marble slab, with Bath stone surroundings, by Morgan, Birmingham, is inscribed:—
   "Sacred to the memory of Captain Robert Bunney, | who departed this life | October 26th, 1837, aged 49 years. |This monument was erected by his affectionate widow."
   Also to the memory of his widow, Jane Bunney, Who departed this life Dec. 19, 1864, Aged 67 years.
Captain Robert Bunney was Church-warden, 1828-1829.
N.
On the West wall, near to South West door, a plain white marble slab, which reads thus:—
   "Sacred to the memory of | Joseph Massey O'Keeffe, | of the 4th Royal Irish Dragoon Guards, | who died in Coventry, June 1st, 1861, | aged 36 years. | The deceased served in the Regiment for upwards | of 18 years, and was with it in the Crimean War of 1854 and 1855, | including the battles of Balaclava, Inkerman, the | Tchernaya, and the siege and taking of Sebastopol | This tablet is erected by the Officers, Non-com. | Officers, and Men of his (F.) troop, to the memory of a | true comrade, and a good soldier."
O.
On a tablet, immediately behind the organ, is the following English and Latin inscription, now nearly effaced by age. This and many others are gilt letters on a blue stone, and any attempt to clean them results in the whole being entirely rubbed off; the arms, (plate iii.) are not now there, but evidently these have been as Dugdale records them:-
   "Here lieth the body of Mrs. FRANCES BROOKE, mother of Mr. JOHN BROOKE, who departed this life the 3rd day of November, 1692, being aged 74 years."
   Memento mori, & in æternum non peccabis.
   "Hic jacet | JOHANNES BROOKE, Civis Coventriensis, illustri familia ortus, divini numinis cultor, | castissimus Ecclesiæ Anglicanæ filius, | obsequentissimus amicus, veterum nulli |postponendus, ingens Civitatis suæ | ornamentum; quem, ingemiscentibus | bonis Omnibus, ætatis flore Mors | inexorabilis abripuit, 4to die Sextilis, | Anno Dom. 1679. | Jam satura cs certe, mors invida, victima namque | ingenium, pietas, hictibi sacra jacet." |
   This monument was 17 22 Beautifyed in the Year
Thus translated—
   "Remember thou must die, and in eternity thou shall not sin." “ Here lies John Brooke, a citizen of Coventry, born of a noble family, a worshipper of the Holy Deity, a most devout son of the Anglican Church, a most obliging friend, inferior to none of the ancients, a great ornament to his City, whom inexorable death carried off in the flower of his age, amid the lamentations of all good men, on the 4th day of August, A.D. 1679."
   “Surely now thou art satiated, O envious death, for intellect and piety lies here a victim consecrated to thee."
Pl. III.
(Upload an image to replace this placeholder.)
P.
High up on South side of West door is a discoloured stone slab with arms, (plate iv.), and Latin inscription:
   "Mem, sacr. | Johannis Woolrich viri multum | sane desiderati, pietatis erga Deum, | charitatis in proximum, in amicos | fidelitatis, munificentiæ in pauperes, | exemplum erat singulare; inclytæ de | mum hujus urbis Prætor fidelissimus ut maximé decuit civem : optimam | uxorem habuit Mariam Rogerson | foeminam veré pientissimam quæ | cælo matura, ad | cælitas migravit | Obiit Dec. 30, anno | Dom. 1584, ætat 69. | Sic optimis parentibus libenter merito justa persolvit. J. W. |
   "Hic etiam jacet Sarah Norton | filia ejus maxima natu; | et Johanni Norton, Londinensi nupta." |
Translated—
   "Sacred to the memory of John Woolrich, a man very much regretted; he was a remarkable pattern of love to God, charity to his neighbour, fidelity to his friends, and munificence to the poor; at last, as Mayor of this renowned City, he was most faithful as it was most becoming for a citizen to be; he had the best of wives in Maria Rogerson, a woman of a most truly pious character, who being ripe for heaven, departed to join the heavenly throng. He died Dec. 30, in the year of our Lord, 1684, aged 69. Thus gladly to the best of parents has J. W. paid a just recompense as they have deserved.
   "Here also lies Sarah Norton, his eldest daughter, and married to John Norton, of London.” John Norton was a great benefactor to Coventry.
Q.
Below the last is a brass 20in. by 13½in., placed on the wall, engraved:—
{{quote|"In obitvm Johannis Wightwick optime spei invenis Collegij Pembrochiensis socij, filij natv minoris Johannis Wightwick, armigeri hvivs civitatis senescalli qui obijt 190 Mart : 1637, 17, annos natvs.
{{center block| <poem lang="la"> "Ne cives sint urbe unius nominis una Tres, unum mortis systulit atra manus Et ne tres uno cognomine nytriat unum Coenobium socios, unus ademptus erat Atqz domo patris ne sint unius in una
Hi tres unus erant, quodqz est mirabile dicti Unus erat major, junior et minimus Maior erat civis virtute, minor tamen ortu Filius, et minimus tempore erat socius Hoec urbs maiorem Iuget, genitorqz minorem Gymnasium ob minimum Pembrochiense gemit Cur non vita trium valuere ut viveret illum Trinuni credo perplacvisse Deo.
Translation—
   "On the death of John Wightwick, a youth of the greatest promise, fellow of Pembroke College, younger son of John Wightwick, Esqr.: Sheriff of this City, who died on the 19th March, 1637, aged 17 years.
   "Lest there should be three citizens of one name in one city, the gloomy hand of death snatched one away: and lest one College should rear three fellows of one surname, one of them was removed from life, and lest there should be three sons and one Father in one family, one of the three sons died. These three were one, and wonderful to say one was greater than the rest, the younger and the least. In moral worth he was the greater citizen; though he was the younger son and junior fellow. This city bewails the greater one, the father the younger one, while Pembroke College mourns for the youngest. Why did not the prayers of these three prevail that this tri-unity should live? I believe that God willed it so."
This brass has been taken from an altar tomb, which with another unknown, (probably Lady Bridgeman's) formerly stood on the North side of the Church, within rails.
R.
This is a small Bath stone monument:mm
   Sacred | to the memory of | Thomas Henry Goodwin, | a native of this city, | who after many years residence | in Birmingham, died there, | highly esteemed | by all who knew him, | on the 18th of November, 1823, | in the 33rd year of his age." |
S.
This is a curious brass, about 20 by 17 inches, a woman in the attidude of prayer, with 4 children lying in front of her, with following inscription:—
MARIÆ HINTON, FÆMINÆ LECTISSIMÆ UXORI DILECTÆ, PROBÆ, ET PIÆ MARITUS, AMORIS HOC SVI MONUMENTUM POSUIT.
​Quæ pietatis eras, qvæ relligionis amore
Et matronali cynctis gravitate probatæ Vivens et moriens constans exemplar amicis Vivendi in vita, moriendi in morte relinquis Sic tibi, sic vivat vitæ bona famæ peracta Sic tibi, sic vitæ constat spes vita perennis. OBIIT ANNUM AGENS TRICESIMUM,
APRILIS 27, 1594 </poem>}}}}
Thus translated—
   To Mary Hinton, a most elegant woman, a beloved virtuous, and pious wife, her husband has erected this tribute of his affection.
   Thou who wast well approved for thy love of piety and religion, and for thy motherley influence in all things. Alive or dead thou leavest to thy friends an abiding example of life in life, and death in death.
   Thus, thus to thee lives the good report of the life which is finished,
   Thus, thus to thee is made sure, the hope of life, which is life eternal.
Mary Hinton was the first wife of the Rev. Wm. Hinton, he was Vicar of S. Michael's for 40 years, being appointed 1583 and Archdeacon, 1584. He resigned the Vicarage in 1623, but retained the Archdeaconry until his death, 1631, he was interred during the night, but where is not known, probably beneath the chancel.
This brass was affixed to a marble slab on the North wall of the Chancel.
S.*
Between the windows of the Smiths' Chapel is a brass, 16 inches square, taken from a flatstone in this same Chapel and placed here for protection since these pages were compiled:-
   "Here lyeth bvried the body of Mrs. Mary Vavasor eldest daughter to Sr. Thos. Vavasor Knight and Baronet, late Knight Marshall of the Kings hovshovld whoe de ceased this life the 24 of December 1631."
Upon this stone was a figure in brass, and arms, 'or a fess dancette sable. Crest a cock gules, crested or.'
T.
Near to the North door, immediately over the door in the wall, is a plain oval marble tablet—
   "Near this place lie the remains of BRADFORD WILMER, M.D., who died November 27, 1813, aged 67 years. This tablet is erected as a tribute of sincere regard, by an affectionate wife and family."
See also flat stone near to this monument.
U.
On the Eastern pillar of the Girdler s Chapel is a monument with lozengy shield of arms, (plate iv.), and inscribed—
   "Nere this place lieth ye body of | Mrs. BATHONA FRODSHAM, relict | of Humphrey Frodshain, Esq., | and daughter of John Hales, of | New House, Esq., together with | Mary her daughter."
She died 1661, and her daughter Mary, 1656. Mrs. Frodsham was buried in her father's tomb under the Church, near to the North door. The monument on the outer wall was removed many years since.
V.
On the same pillar, but on the North side of S. Lawrence Chapel, is a monument with the following curious epitaph and coat of arms of 30 quarterings, (plate v.)
   "M.S. Siste Viator, | Tuumq. dum nostrum legis, cogita Epitaphium, | ix annorum juvenis, diem obiens | Die 25 novembris, anno 1648, | Felicem resurrectionem & æternitatem hic expecto; | THOMAS PUREFOY, Georgii Purefoy de Wadley, arm. & Annæ F. | Th. Glover, militis, filius natu quartus. Parce lachrymis: | non immaturo fato cessit, qui maturus coelo fuit; | felicitatem defunctis invidet, qui mortem luget; | Sat diu vixi, si sat innocens, Disce a me cum mortuus sim, quam certa mors; | cum juvenis, quam incerta vita. | Paterna pietas hoc dolori suo, nomini | meo monumentuin. | M.P. | 1657, Vale Viator, & | ut mortuus vivas, vivus morere.
Translated—
   Pl. IV.
   (Upload an image to replace this placeholder.)
   Pl. V.
   (Upload an image to replace this placeholder.)
   Farewell, thou passer-by, and that thou mayst live when dead, die whilst thou livest.
A portion of the Purefoy family held large possessions in Warwickshire, they built the manor house at Caldecott, their defence of which is an interesting episode in the civil war.
W.
Between the windows in S. Lawrence Chapel is an alabaster tablet, with armorial bearings, (plate iv.)
   "In this Chapell lyeth ye bodys of ANNE | PUREFOY, who dyed ye 6th of August, 1697, | JANE PUREFOY, who dyed ye 21st of Decembr. 1702, | and Mary FULWOOD, sometime ye wife of George | Fulwood, of Little Alne, in ye County of Warwick, | Esq, who dyed ye 26th March, 1695, all three | daughters of William Purefoy, late of Caldecoate, Esq., and of | Dorothy his wife, daughter of George Purefoy, of | Wadley, in Berkshire, Esq., | which said William dyed ye | 22nd of June, 1674, at his | manor then at Caldecoate: | and Dorothy his wife, surviving | her husband and three daughters | erected this monument to their memory, Anno Dni. 1703.
X.
In the Lady Chapel, near to the screen, a Bath stone tablet—
   "In a vault | near the North door | are deposited the remains of | Edward Lea, who died in 1827; | and Catherine, his wife, who died in 1825; and of their daughter | Susanna Lea, | who died in 1849; | also, of Henry Lea, Esq. | their son, who died December the 31st, 1854, | aged 69 years." |
Y.
Between windows Nos. 32 and 33, is a marble tablet with armorial bearings, (plate iv.)
   "Sacred to the memory of | Sarah, daughter of Bryan Troughton | formerly of this city, and of Lombard Street, | London, Esq., banker, | and one of the Receivers-General of the | County of Warwick, and for 47 years the beloved, affectionate, & | faithful wife of Robert Long, Esq., | of the Manor House, Dawlish, in the County | of Devon, and of the Crescent, Cheltenham, | who died on the 22nd day of May, 1837 Her remains | repose in a vault in the churchyard | of Swindon, near the last-named place. | This tribute of tender recollection | is erected by her afflicted husband." |
   "O carissima! valde deflenda, cælo convenire speramus."
Translated—
   "O dearest! greatly weeping, we hope to meet again in heaven."
Z.
Immediately beneath the last a marble scroll on a grey stone slab, to the husband of Sarah Long—
   "This tablet is erected | to the memory of | Robert Long, Esq. | of the Manor House, Dawlish, | who died on the | 13th day of December, 1842, | and was buried at Swindon, | in the County of Gloucester. |
AA.
A brass 28in. by 3½.in. has been recently placed here, taken from a stone on the floor of this Chapel (but now replaced by a small square incised slab,) to preserve it from harm—
   "Here lyeth Mr. Thomas Bond, draper, sometime maior of this cittie, and founder of the Hospitall of Bablake, who gave divers lands and tenements for the maintenance of ten poore men so long as the world shall endure, and a woman to look to them, with many other good guifts; and died the xviii, day of March, in the yeare of our Lord God, MDVI."
To record the bountiful gifts of this good man, would occupy too much space. Here in this Church twenty poor men assemble every Sunday, and ​by their presence testify to the goodness of Thomas Bond ; and twenty-five others receive a weekly pension by his liberality. He was Mayor of Coventry, 1497.
Dugdale states that the stone had a coat of arms above the brass, viz.: a chevron between three roundells, and three roundells in chief.
BB.
On Bath stone is recorded the death of the Rev. Robert Simpson, a Vicar of this parish—
   "Sacred | to the memory of the | Rev. Robert Simson, LL.B., | 53 years vicar of this parish. | He departed this life May 16th, 1846, | aged 83 years. 'The memory of the just is blessed.' | Jane Simson, relict of the said Robert Simson, | died October 20th, 1855, | in the 75th year of her age. | 'Even so is the Lord merciful unto them that fear him. | For He knoweth whereof we are made: | He remembereth that we are but dust.'" |
He succeeded to the Vicarage of this Parish upon the decease of the late Rev. Benjamin Toms, in 1723. He was the grandson of the Rev. Patrick Simson, minister of Vicar Lane Chapel, who was elected 1725, and continued their pastor for 48 years; he died January 7th, 1773, and was buried in Trinity Church. The Rev. Robert Simson appears to have had some connection with nonconformity, and he was instructed in its doctrines at Vicar Lane Chapel. His father, Robert, was admitted a member of that congregation, 1756, when 15 years of age. The style of preaching at the Great Meeting House becoming less orthodox may account for his secession from them. He was buried in the Chancel near to Dr. Mellor, a place being left for Mrs. Simson, but then the law would not allow burials in the Church.
CC.
Beneath the former a brass has been lately placed there—
   "To the glory of God, And in grateful remembrance of the founders of the Warwickshire Scripture Reader's Society, The floor of this lady chapel was restored by D. Steane, S.R., 1881."
Mr. Steane was appointed Scripture Reader, March, 1865.
DD.
On the North of the Eastern window of this Chapel is a white marble monument executed by Chantry, representing a soldier dying on the battle field; upon the tablet is inscribed—
   "Sacred to the memory of | the Honourable Francis Wheler Hood, Lieutenant-Colonel in the 3rd Regiment of Foot Guards, | Assistant-Adjutant-General to the 2nd Division of the Forces | under the Marquis of Wellington, | who was killed in action with the enemy, at Aire, in Gascony, | in the 33rd year of his age, on the end of March, 1814, | and was interred in the cemetery of that place with military honours. | This simple monument is erected by Caroline, his widow, | in affectionate remembrance of his public and private worth." |
See note to window 35.
EE.
Immediately beneath is the following inscription on a brass 36in. by 14in.
   "In memory of the Honbl. Caroline Hood, widow of Lieutenant-Colonel, the Honbl. | Francis Wheler Hood, only daughter of Sir Andrew Snape Hamond, Baronet, of | Norton Lodge, Isle of Wight. | Born 7th | March, 1781. Departed 11th March, 1858, in | the 78th year of her age."
FF.
On the South of the East window is the following inscription on a grey marble monument, having a lozenge of arms-Freeman and two other shields, Bearcroft, and—(plate vi.)
   "Near this place is interred | Mrs. Mary Freeman, | who died at Northampton, | January 20th, 1750. Also, her father and mother, Edward and Mary Freeman, | a brother and sister, | who died young, and Thomas Bearcroft, | her father- | in-law. By her will she ordered | her executors to erect this monument to their memory."
GG.
Beneath the foregoing is a small marble tablet, with arms (plate vi.) and inscribed—
   "Sacred | to the memory of | George Henry Mellor, M.D., | many years | an eminent physician | in this city, | who departed this life | on the 16th of September, | 1843, | aged fifty-three years." |
Dr. Mellor lived at the house in Little Park Street now called Banner House. He was buried in the Chancel of the Church near to the Rev. R. Simson.
Pl. VI.
(Upload an image to replace this placeholder.)
Pl. VII.
(Upload an image to replace this placeholder.)
HH.
Below the last is a brass 18in. by join., lately placed there, and inscribed-
   To the Glory of God.
   In loving memory of Ann Frances his wife William Slingsby caused the apse to be lighted, Easter, 1881.