Great Mongeham

Great Mongeham with Index of names and places at end

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Some Monumental Inscriptions of Great Mongeham Church,  Noted by Rev Bryan Faussett noted 1759

Also some Monumental Inscriptions  Noted by Zechariah Cozens about 1795, added 30th September 2008

Kindly typed up for the website by Pat Tritton

In the Chancell.
1. On a Flat Stone, with this Coat. [3 griffins’(?) heads couped imp. A Λ betw. 3 bulls’ heads caboshed]. Here lieth interred the Body of the Reverend Divine, Mr Timothy WILLSON, The Rector of this Parish, and the Parish of Kingsnorth in Kent, and 1 of the 6 Clerks belonging unto Christ’s Church Canterbury. He left Issue surviving, two Daughters Damaris and Elisabeth; and departed this Life, June ye 4^th 1705 aged 63 Years. Here lieth, also, Mary his beloved only Wife, who departed this Life Sept. 21 1703 aged 53 Years; with Daniel their Son, who died 6 May 1695 aged 6 Months. Here also lieth Mary, their eldest Daughter, the Relict of John C….DELL, Gent. who departed this Life Nov. 14 1704 aged 27 Years.

2. On another flat Stone much defaced, with this Coat. [¼ly. 1&4, 3 chevronels, 2&3, blank imp. A Λ betw. 3 pears]. ……../ Corps ……/Divinity, late …../ Parish, who departed ……./ and leaving behind ………/by whom he had …nes/ and …. Daughters.

3. Three other Flat Stones all without Inscriptions.

4. On the North Side of this Chancell are 3 Arches, each having a Table, or Seat, under it, one higher than ye other, descending from ye East. The first, by 2 Hollows made in the Stone, appears to have been for ye Basons of Holy Water. The 2 Others, wch. are lower, have the Appearance of Confessional Chairs. The 2 uppermost Arches are supported by Pillasters – the Lowermost is not.

In the North Chancell.
5. On a fine Monument on ye North Wall, with the Figures of a Man, and a Woman kneeling before a Faldstool; and, under them, the smaller Figures of 6 Children, kneeling, also, at a Faldstool.

6. [2 coats: 1). a lion ramt. crowned. 2. [¼ly 1&4). Or, on a Λ sa. 3 eagles’ heads erased arg. 2). Sa. a saltire arg. 3). Az. 3 hogs or].
Here lieth the Body of Edward CRAYFORD, Esq. eldest Sonne of Sr. William Crayford of Great Mungeham. Who, by Anne his Wife, one of the Daughters of Sr. Rowland HAYWARD, thrice Lord Mayor of London, had Issue William, George, Richard, John, John and Anne. He died 28 Sept. 1615 of his Age the 39^th. Unto whose Memeory, Anne his Wife hath dedicated this.

7. On an Altar Tomb, in ye Area. Underneath is interred the Corps of George CRAYFORD, Esq. aged 51 who deceased July 30 A.D. 1661 whose Wife was Margaret, the Daughter of Edward BOYS of Betteshanger, Esq. by whom he had three Sons, Edward, Robert and George; and three Daughters, Anne, Judeth and Margaret.

8. On another Altar Tomb, in ye Area. [Az. a fret arg. a chief or imp. BARGRAVE (3.59 Bridge) Motto Hote et Bon]. Here lieth interred, the Body of Mr Edward ST LEGER, descended from a Family of great Honour & Antiquity; the Founder of it being Sr. Robert DE SANTO LEODEGARIO who came in with WILLIAM THE CONQUEROR, and settled at Ulcombe, in the County of Kent. His Descendants were eminent in War as well as Peace; for, we read of several Judges, Generals, Knights of the Garter, Lord Deputies of Ireland, and Knights Baronets, among them. Nor were their Alliances less honourable; for, to omit several of them who intermatch’d with the Prime Nobility, Sr. Thomas ST LEGER had the Honour to marry Anne, DUTCHESS OF EXETER, sister to EDWARD THE 4^th. Thus was this Gentleman descended. But, by the well known Vicissitude of human Affairs, inherited only the Virtues of his Ancestors, which in ye little Sphere, that Providence allotted him to move in, most plainly appeard. For, in the Forty Years that he took Care of the Sick and wounded, at Deale, it was hard to say, whether his Fidelity to the Government, his Honesty, and Skill in his Profession, or his Humanity to ye unhappy Sufferers were more conspicuous. Nor, were his private Virtues less than his publick; for, in him is lost, a most indulgent Husband; a tender Father; a kind Relation; a good Master; and, a faithfull Friend. Such was Mr ST LEGER. Be humble, and be just. He married Elisabeth, Daughter to Charles BARGRAVE of Eastry, Esq. by whom having had 6 Children, 4, viz Elisabeth, Dudley, Winifrid, and Hester lye here with him; Edward and Mary survived him. Obijt 17 Novembris 1729. Aet. suae 63.

9. In the Body. On a Flat Stone. Here lieth the Body of Daniel DENNE, of Deale, Pilott, who died 26 May 1717 aged 68 Years. As also Mary his Wife, who died 11 Decm. 1720 aged 79 Years.

10. Two Ancient Flat Stones without Inscription.

11. In the North Isle. On a Flat Stone. Ann, Wife of Samuel SHEPHERD and Daughter of Mr John SLADDEN died the 5^th of August 1730 in the 29^th Year of her Age; leaving three Children, Anne, John and Samuel. George, Son of Samuel Shepherd by Mary his second Wife, born at Feversham the 3d. of August 1736 died the 24^th of September 1737.

12. On Another Flat Stone. Here lieth interred the Body of William SLADDEN, late of this Parish who departed this Life 30 June 1689 aged 71 Years. He left surviving 2 Sonnes & 2 Daughters, Thomas, John, Anna and Mary. John Sladden, son of ye above mentioned William Sladden, died 1 Aug. 1740 aged 79 Years. Anne his Wife died the 27^th Day of November 1733 aged 70 Years.

13. Two other flat Stones, but without Inscription. 1 of them has a Cross on it.

Here has been a Rood Loft.

This Church consists of the Great and North Chancells; Body, and North Isle. In the Tower, at the West End, hang 4 Bells. I cd. not get at them to see their Inscriptions.

14. Over ye West Door, outward, is this Coat. [A – charged with a molet of 5 pts. betw. 3 tigers(?) passt. gardt.]

In the Church Yard.
15. On a Monument on The N.E. Buttrice of the Tower. [Arg. a chevn. az. betw. 3 hands apaumé gu]. To the Memory of Capt. Robert MAYNARD a faithfull & experience’d Commander of the Royal Navy; who, after he had distinguish’d himself by many brave and gallant Actions in the Service of his King and Country retired to this Place where he died 1 Jan. 1750-51 aged 67.

16. Here are, also, Memorials of BEDO, BIRCH, CULMER, HAMMOND, MUMBRAY, PETLEY, PARKER, POPE and TAYLOR.

17. This Church was dedicated to St. Martin. It is a Rectory in the Gift of The Arch Bishop. The present Rector is Mr HERRING. 1759

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Also some Monumental Inscriptions  Noted by Zechariah Cozens about 1795, added 30th September 2008

18. Mongeham, commonly called Great Mongeham to distinguish it from the neighbouring Parish of Mongeham the less, whose Church stood about three miles and an half to the Westward of the last mentioned village, but which has been demolished many years.

19. Great Mongeham is a decent village, with some tolerably good houses, particularly in the lower street.

20. The Church was a handsome structure, but is not at present kept in so good repair as it ought to be; it consists of a Nave, with two side ailes, and three chancels; at the West end of the Church is a square tower, containing five Bells.

Epitaphs.
In the Middle Chancel.
21. On a black marble slab, within the Altar rails is: Here lieth interr’d ye Body of ye Reverd. Divine Mr Timothy WILSON late Rector of this Parish and the Parish of Kingsnorth in Kent & one of ye Six Clerks belonging unto Christ Church Canterbury, he left Issue Surviving two Daughters, Damaris & Elizabeth & departed this life June ye 4th 1705. Aged 63 Years. Here lieth also Mary his beloved & only Wife, who departed this life Sepr. ye 21st 1703 Aged 53 Years, with Daniell their Son who died May ye 5th 1695 Aged 6 Mons. Here lieth Mary their eldest Daughr. ye Relict of John GOODALL Gent. who departed this life Novr. ye 14th 1704 Aged 27 Years. Arms: Wilson, viz. 3 Wolves heads; impaling a Chev. betw. 3 Oxens heads. (TORR Not now to be found: perhaps under organ in S.C.).

22. On a white stone near the above: Lydia, Daughter of Richard & Mary STONE. Born 18th Decr. 1780. Died 11th Octr. 1787.

23. On a black marble slab: Ann, Wife of the Reverend John HERRING, A.M. died September 27th 1768 Aged 43. John Herring died September 1759 Aged 3 Months. Samuel Herring died June 1760 Aged 10 Days.

North Chancel.
24. On a mural Monument of the Corinthian order, with the Effigies of a Man, and his Wife, with five Sons, and 1 Daughter, all kneeling: Here lyeth the Body of Edward CRAYFORD Esq. eldest Sonne of Sr. Willm. Crayford of Great Moncham who by Anne his wife, one of the Daughters of Sr. Rowland HAYWARD thrice Lord Maior of London who had issue Willm. George, Richard, John, John & Anne, he dyed ye 28th of Sept. 1615 of his Age, ye XXXIX unto whose Memorie Anne his Wife hath dedicated this. Arms: 1st & 4th. CRAYFORD. 2nd. Az. a Saltier, Or. 3rd. Az. 3 Boars, Or. Crest: a Parrot’s head, proper. On a shield below, a Lion Rampt.

25. On a Tomb near the above: Under neath is interr’d the Corps of George CRAYFORD Esqr. aged 51, who deseased July 30 Ano 1661 whose wife was Margaret the Daughter of Edward BOYS of Betteshanger Esqr. by whom he had three Sons Edward, Robert & George & 3 Daughters Anne, Judith & Margaret. (TORR Tomb gone, slab now in N.W. corner of N.C.).

26. On a large black marble slab, which covers a brick tomb, in the middle of the Chancel: Here lieth interr’d the Body of Mr Edward ST. LEGER descended from a Family of Great Honour & Antiquity. The Founder of it being Sr. Robert De Santo Leodegario who came in with William the Conquerour & settled at Ulcombe in the County of Kent. His Descendants were eminent in War, as well as Peace, for we read of several Judges, Generals, Knights of ye Garter, Lord Deputys of Ireland & Knights Baronets amongst them. Nor were their Alliances less Honourable, For to omit several of them who intermatched with the Prime Nobility, Sr Thomas ST LEGER had the Honr. to Marry Anne, DUTCHESS of EXITER, Sister to EDWARD THE IVTH. Thus was his Gentleman descended, by the well known Viscissitude of human Affairs inherited only the Virtues of his Ancestors which in the little Sphere that Providence allotted him to move in most plainly appeared; For in ye Forty Years that he took care of ye Sick & Wounded at Deale it was hard to say, Whether his Fidelity to the Government, his Honesty and skill in his Profession or his Humanity to ye Unhappy Sufferers were more conspicuous. Nor were his Private Virtues less than his Public, for in him is lost a most indulgent Husband, a Tender Father, and kind Relation, a good Master & a faithfull Friend. Such was Mr St. Leger. Be humble & be Just. He married Eliz. Daughter to Charles BARGRAVE of Eastry Esq. by whom having had six Children, 4, viz. Elizabeth, Dudley, Winefrid and Hester lye here with him. Edward and Mary survive him. Obijt 17 Novembris A.D. MDCCXXIX. Aet. Suae LXIII. Arms: ST. LEGER, impaling BARGRAVE. Crest: St. Leger.

Nave.
27. On an oval tablet of white marble, against a pillar: In Memory of Benjamin EDWARDS Esqr. whose remains are deposited near this Marble. he was third Son of Sir Henry EDWARDES Bart. of Shrewsbury and he had been the Major of the eleventh Regiment of Foot. He died January 29th A.D. 1777. Aet. Suae 40. Arms: EDWARDS, viz. Gu. a Chev. engrail’d, betw. three boars heads, eras’d at the neck, Ar. a Crescent for diff. Crest: a man’s head armed, in a helmet side faced, all proper.

28. On another, near the above: Samuel SHEPHERD Esqr. died 21st December 1770 Aged 70 Years. By Anne SLADDEN his first Wife, Daughter of John Sladden of this Parish Gent. he left surviving two Children, Anne and John. By Mary his second wife, widow of Hilles HOBDAY of Faversham he left one Son Julius. Anne, Daughter of Samuel Shepherd, Wife of Thomas SMITH Esqr. of Preston next Faversham, after a tedious and painful Illness of many Years, which she supported with great Patience and Resignation died 3 January 1771 Aged 2 Years leaving 2 Sons John and George. Arms: Er. on a chief Sab. 3 pole axes, Or. Crest: a hind lodged, Ar.

29. On a white stone, near the West end: Here lieth the Body of Daniel DENN of Deale Pilott, who departed this Life the 26th of May 1717 Aged 68 Years, and also Mary his Wife who departed this life the 11th of Decbr. 1729 Aged 79 Years. (now W.S.W. corner of S.C.).

30. On a black marble slab, near the above: Ann Wife of Samuel SHEPHERD and Daugr. of Mr John SLADDEN died the 5th of August 1730 in ye 29th Year of her Age leaving three Children, Ann, John & Samuel. George, Son of Samuel Shepherd by Mary his 2 Wife born at Feversham the 3d. of August 1736 died the 24th of September 1737. Samuel Shepherd Esqr. Who was many Years in the Commission of ye Peace for this County a Man of exemplary Candour and Benevolence, died December ye 21st 1769 aged 70 Years. Anne SMITH, daughter of Samuel SHEPHERD Esq. and Wife of Thomas Smith Esqr. of Preston next Faversham died January the 3d.1 1771 aged 42 Years. (Now to E. of the last, in S.C).

31. On a white stone, at the West end of the North Aile: Here lieth inerr’d the Body of William SLADDEN late of this Parish who departed this life June ye 30th 1689, Aged 71 Years, he left Surviving 2 Sones and 2 daughters: Thomas, John, Anne and Mary. John Sladden Son of the above mention’d William Sladden died the 1st of August 1740, Aged 79 Years. Ann his wife died the 27th day of November 1733 Aged 70 Years. (Now against S. wall of S.C.).

32. Bells.
   1st. W & T. MEARS of London fecit. By Subscription 1787.
   2nd. J.W. 1639.
   3rd. LESTER, PACK & CHAPMAN London, Richd. WOOD, Ch. Warden 1787.
   4th. Thomas JANAWAY of London fecit 1766.
   5th. Joceph HATCH made me 1619 (O.E.).

33. This Parish is of considerable extent, the soil is in general fertile, and the prospects are really delightful, particularly towards Deal, Etc.

34. The Living is a Rectory, and the Church is dedicated to St. Martin.

35. Patron: The Archbishop. 1795. Incumbent: John HERRING.

36. King’s Books £18.8s.4d. Tenths: £1.16s.10d.

From Mongeham we proceeded on our Visitation to Walmer.

Index of Names and Places