The Litchfield County post., 1828-11-13

led the "PairiOt,") in Hampden church,
Bucks, on the 2ISt of July, 1928, TO ascer-
tain the cause of his death some hiStOri-
ans suppOsing that he was wounded in the
shoulder, BY shot from the enemy, at the
Battle Of ChaIgrave Field, June, l64S >
others suppoSing that he was killed by the
bursting of his own pistol, with which his
sen 10 law, Sir Robert Pye, had presentel
him. Present on the occasion-The It.
Hon. Lord Nugent, Counsellor D0nman,
the Rev. Mr.. Brooks. Mr.. Heron, Mr..
Grace, Steward Of the Earl of Bucking-
hamshire) George Coventry, 8 other gen.
tlemen, with whose names was not ac-
quainted, twelve grave diggers and assist
ed with the clerk Of the parish:
The manner in which MIR Eampden met
his death, had long been disputed point
Of history.
Lord Clarendon, Rushworth, Ludlow,
and Noble, and others state, chat at the
battle of Chalgraye Field. he was mOrtaily
wounded in the shoulder by musket-baIl,
that he fingered several days and expired
10 great agony.
In ORDER to ascertain the real facts, APP
p!ication was made by Lord Nugent, to the
Earl OF Buckinghamshire Ito whom the fa-
mily estates have descended, } that the
coffin might be opened, aud the body ex-
amiRed.
The Earl after sIe consideration, grant
ed the request, which was confirmed by
the Rector Wao politely rendered his as
sistance to further the inquiry.
1t is remarkable that so distinguished &
opulent family asathat of Hampden, should
never have possessed private vault, for
the interment of the respective branches
of the family such, however, is not the
case they have from very early period
been buried in the chancel about four feet
deep.
On the morning of the 21st of July, we
assembled in the church, and commenced
the operation Of opening the ground.
After examining the initials and dates
on several leaden collins, we came to the
one in question, the plate of which was SO
corroded that it crumbled and broke into
pieces on touching it. 1t was, therefore,
impossible to ascertain the name of the in
dividual it contained.
The coffin had been originally enclosed
in wood, covered with velvet, small part
of which was apparent near the bottom, at
the left side, which was not the case of
those of later date, where the initials were
distinct, & the lead more perfect & fresh in
appearance. The register stated that Ham
den was inferred on the 25th of June, l 643
AN old document still in existence, gives
q curious and full account Of the procession
on the occasion we we're therefore pref
" confident that this must be the one in
question, having carefully examined the o.
thers in succession.
1t was lying under the western window,
near the tablet erected by him when living
TO the memory of his beloved wife, whose
virtues he extols in the most affectionaie
language. Without positive proof, it was
reasonable to suppose that he would be in
TERED near his adored partner, and this
being found at her feet, it was unanimous
~ agreed that the lid should be cut open
to ascertain the fact, which proved after
wards, that we were not mistaken.
The parish plumber descended g. COM
menced cutting across the coffin, then lon
gitudinaIly, until the whole was sufficient
~ loosened to roll back, in order to lift off
the wooden lid, which was found in such
preservation that it came off nearly entire.
Beneath this was another lid Of the same
material which was raised without materi-
ally giving way.
The coffin had originally been filled up
with saw dust, which was found undsturb-
ed; except the centre, where the abdomen
had fallen in. The saw dust was then re-
moved and the process of examination
commenced. Silence reigned. Not a
whisper or breath was heard. Each stood
on the tiptoe of expectation, awaiting the
result as to what appearance the face
would present when Invested Of its cover
ing.
Lord Nugent descended into the grave,
and first removed the outer cloth, which was
firmly wrapped round the body--then the
second. and a third-sucn care having been
extended to preserve the body from COR
ruption.
Here very singular scene presented it,
self. No regular features were apparent,
although the face retained death like
wilderness, and showed the various wind
ings of the blood vessels beneath the skin.
The unner row ne taoth were narfncf and