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Lower Hardres with Index of names and places at end

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               Some Monumental Inscriptions of Lower Hardres Church,  Noted by Leland L. Duncan August 1891

               Also Some Monumental Inscriptions  Noted by Rev Bryan Faussett noted 1758, added August 2007

Kindly typed up for the website by Pat Tritton

1. An altar tomb near the yew tree. Coat of arms – a chevron between 3 compasses with helmet etc. In sure and stedfast hopes of the Resurrection. Here lieth the body of Henry WOTTON, late of Fordwich in Kent, carpenter who departed this life the 15^th day of March the year of our Lord 1734 in the 65^th year of his age. Who rests in Hope of a joyfull Resurrection to ye life everlasting. In and through the merits of Jesus Christ our Saviour and Redeemer.

2. Flat stones on path to porch. Here lieth intered the body of David RIGDEN of S…inlen. He departed this life March the 19 170./ aged 77 years. Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord.

3. Here lyes interred the body of John WHITE who departed this life July ye 16 1709 in the 73^rd year of his age. And also Mary ye wife of John White lyes here interrd who dyed in the same month July 1709 in ye 55^th year of her age.

4. Another (cut). Here lieth ye body of Richard SANDERS who died February ye 6 1722 aged 66 years. Near unto lieth alongside his second wife T…./ who died April 1724 aged 68 years.

5. Double stone. Here lies inter red ye body of Thomas TERRY who died the 25^th day of July 1675 aged 78 years. He had issue by Mary his wife 4 sons and 6 daughters. And also Mary
the wife of Thomas Terry lieth here interrd who died ye 8 day of August 1679 aged 69 years.

6. To the memory of Isaac TERRY, late of this parish and surveyor. He departed this life June ye 14 1768 aged 59 years. He left issue 4 sons and 5 daughters.

7. Francis TERRY, son of Vincent and Elizabeth Terry of this parish died 29 March 1776 aged 19 years and 20 days.

8. Richard TERRY, late of ye parish died 24 November 1733 aged 81 years. Also Hannah, wife of Richard Terry died September 23 1749 aged 76 years. Also Francis, son of Richard Terry died December 11 1749.

9. Sarah TERRY, daughter of Vincent and Ann Terry died 14 May 1787 aged 8 years and 11 months.

10. Ann, wife of Vincent TERRY of this parish died 26 December 1807 aged 50 years. Also the above Vincent Terry died 15 February 1809 aged 53 years. Left surviving 10 children, Elizabeth, Daniel, Ann, Mary, Grace Vincent, Hester, Francis, John and Thomas.

11. Frances TERRY died 5 September 1812 aged 18 years.

12. Vincent TERRY, late of Butts Farm, born 4 December1788 died 18 April 1840. Also Frances his wife died 3 March 1836 aged 47. Also Vincent, son of the above, born 21 November 1823 died 18 September 1873.

13.  In Lower Hardres churchyard also many stones to FOX (by east of Chancel).

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Also Some Monumental Inscriptions  Noted by Rev Bryan Faussett noted 1758, added August 2007

Chancell.
14. On a Black Flat Stone. Here lies buried ye Body of Mr. William PULFORD, who was Rector of this Parish 25 Yeares … Aet. 58. Buried Ju.. 9. A.Dni. 1660.

15. There are 2 other Flat Stones, but their Inscriptions are gone.

Body.
16. On a Flat Stone. Here lies interr’d ye Body of John WHITE, who departed this Life, July 16 1709 in the 73d. Year of his Age. And also Mary, ye Wife of John lies here interr’d, who died in ye same Month July 1709, in ye 55^th Year of her Age.

Church Yard.
17. An Altar Tomb for Thomas RUCK, of Harmansole (Farm on Stone St. N.W. of psh) 1678.

18. Another, for Henry WOOTTON of Fordwich 1733.

19. This Church, wch. is very small, consists of the Chancell, South Chancell, Great & South Isle. In the Steeple, which is a very small, low, wooden one, at ye W. End hangs 1 Small Bell, thus Inscribed: R.P. (Richd. PHELPS) Fecit 1723. Mr Benjamin FOREMAN, Church Warden.

20. This Church is a Rectory in ye Patronage of The King (or rather of the Lord Chancellor). It was dedicated to St. Mary. The Present Rector is The Revd. Mr J. MINET, who is also Rector of Eythorn. 1758.

21. The Register of this Parish begins A.D. 1558, viz: the first Year of Queen Elizabeth. At the End of this Register are 2 Surveys of ye Bounds of the Parish, fairly written by Mr HOBDAY formerly Rector – the One bears Date 3 June 1712, the other 31 May 1725.

22. Names of the Rectors of Nether Hardres from the first year of Qu. Elisabeth – at least from the Beginning of the Parish Register.

John KEAGET, inducted 1568.
John BOCKET, inducted 1574, buried 12 Dec. 1604.
Maurice ROBERTS, inducted 1601, buried 20 Dec. 1626.
Thomas BUNBURY, inducted 1626.
William MARSHAL, inducted 1628.
William PULFORD, inducted 1635, buried 9 June 1660.
Gregory PULFORD, inducted 1660.
Thomas HARDRES, inducted 1669.
Stephen HOBDAY, inducted 1711.
John MINET, inducted 1743 *bur. at Eythorn, 21 Nov. 1771 (*added).

23. (On a loose sheet). In a Window at Mr TERRY’s at L. Hardres.
[Large shield:
¼ly 1&4). Or, a border indented.
2&3). Az. a spreadeagle or, surtout a bend gobony az. "Something broken out", or, az. imp.
¼ly of 8, surtout a label of 3 points:
1). Arg. a fesse az. on a chief gu. 3 plates.
2). Or, a maunche gu.
3). Barry of 5, on 1^st 3 martlets, on rest two ditto (no tinctures).
4). Sa. a fesse "not to be distinguish" (sic) betw. 3 mascles in chief arg. & one in base.
5). Az. a fesse arg.
6). Gu. a canton sinister arg.
7). Sa. 6 molets arg. (3,2,1).
8). Sa. a fret arg.
Two objects apart fm. the shield:
1). By dexter base "Something not to be distinguish" (sic).
2). By sinr. base "An Unicorn".
Below the shield is this date: 1539 – (viz: 30 Hen.8).
a Cypher R. containing as it seems PR:G. - June 12, 1767.

24. Mr TERRY has a Tradition that this House was built out of ye Materials of Part of Swerdling (Swarling Fm. in N. of Pethm. psh); but how long ago he does not know – therefore, this Coat (wch. is now in a Smaller Window than it was first made for), it is likely, came, also, from Swerdling. I know not, at present, what to make of it as its Date is after ye Dissolution of ye Smaller Houses, it cd. not be an Ornament to ye Chantry there but it may be ye Arms of ye Person to whom H.8. granted that Chantry, etc.

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