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St Lawrence Memorials

MEMORIALS AND MONUMENTS INSIDE ST. LAWRENCE CHURCH, RODE

According to the book, ‘Inside Churches’, memorials began to appear in churches in the 12th and 13th centuries, though for several hundred years they were confined to the graves of priests and great men. Those who could not afford stone or marble had to be content with a decorated brass memorial (the earliest in England is dated 1277, and they were popular until the early 17th century). Memorials inside churches are now only permitted in exceptional circumstances. The images below depict over 20 memorials in St Lawrence Church (with the text repeated below, as occasionally it’s difficult to read in the photo).

In the entries below the words appear in upper or lower case as in the Memorial itself, but no attempt has been made to replicate the script of the time. On some older memorials the letter I is used for J, f for s, v for u and u for v.

1. In stone on south wall of vestry, in east corner
2. In stone on south wall of vestry, below 1
3. On a framed wooden mount in the vestry and in need of restoration
  1. Near this Place Lyeth the Body of JAMES HILLMAN Late Rector of this Parifh who Depd: this Life Novr: the 24th 1738 Aged 53 Years
  2. Here lies the Body of Thomas Weekes, Rector of this Parish, who departed this Life on the 20th of August 1711. Whose usual Saying was, “Bishops and Parsons must Die Preaching & Praying”. And who perform’d his own Words
  3. DECIMO TERTIO DIE DECEMBRIS ANO DNI 1623 OF IOHN HELLIERD GENTLE WHO DYED THIS DAY WEE THAT ARE LIVING HAVE IVST CAVSE TO SAY THAT NEVER MAN DYED MORE CHRISTIAN LIKE DEATH WHICH TO VS APPEARED EVEN BY HIS LAST BREATH AS THEREFORE HIS BODY DOTH HEEREVNDER REST SO DOVBTLES HIS SOVLE IN HEAVEN IS BLEST FOR WE FINDE IN TE SCRIPTVRE BY SACRED RECORD THAT BLESSED ARE THEY WHO DY IN TE LORD GOD GRAVNT VS ALL THEN HIS MERCY AND GRACE SO TO END THIS LIFE THAT IN HEAVEN WE MAY HAVE PLACE THERE TO REMAINE FOR EVER AND EVER WITH ABR: & ISAACK & THIS MY DEARE FATHER PER ME NA: HELLIERD FILIVM PDCI IOHIS TO THE MEMORY OF N. NATHANIELL HELLIERD LATE RECTOR OF THIS PLACE WHO DEPARTED THIS LIFE NOVER 20 1650 – Heere Gatherd to his Father lies An object of our obfequies Whoo died defird and livd beeloud To moft well knowne by th’ Bell approud His name prefent may well preuent A larger line on’s monument PER ME ROBERTM FILIUM
4. In white on black marble on east wall of vestry, in south corner
5. In white on black marble on east wall of vestry, in north corner
6. In white on black marble on north wall of vestry, in east corner

4. IN MEMORY OF THOMAS WHITAKER LEDYARD OF ROAD HILL SON OF SAMUEL & RACHEL LEDYARD WHO DIED JULY 24TH – 1835, AGED 72, RESTING ON “THE ROCK OF AGES”. AND OF ANNE, HIS WIFE, DAUGHTER OF WILLIAM AND ANNE SHEPPARD OF FROME, WHO DEPARTED TO BE “FOREVER WITH THE LORD” APRIL 12 – 1861, AGED 92 ALSO OF THEIR SON THOMAS HILLMAN, WHO DIED 1807, AGED 7 MONTHS: AND OF THEIR GRANDCHILDREN ALFRED ROBERT & ANNA SUSAN WHO DIED 1853 AND CHARLOTTE ELLEN WHO DIED 1858, CHILDREN OF EDWARD THOMAS & EMILIA GRACE LEDYARD BURIED IN THE CEMETERY OF ST. PAULS LONDON, CANADA WEST. “HE SHALL GATHER THE LAMBS WITH HIS ARM AND CARRY THEM IN .HIS BOSOM” ISAIAH-10-11

5. IN MEMORY OF THE DAUGHTERS OF SAMUEL & RACHEL LEDYARD, OF ROAD BRIDGE: BURIED IN THE ADJOINING CHURCH-YARD FRANCES, DIED IN 1832 AET 66 ELIZA, (WIFE OF THOMAS RANSFORD)1834 60 LOUISA, 1836 56 CHARLOTTE,1839 57 HARRIET, 1858 86

“THESE ALL DIED IN FAITH.” HEB.XI.13 “BE NOT SLOTHFUL, BUT FOLLOWERS OF THEM, WHO THROUGH FAITH AND PATIENCE INHERIT THE PROMISES.” HEB.VI.12

6. IN A VAULT BENEATH ARE DEPOSITED THE REMAINS OF HENRY BYTHESEA, OF TROWBRIDGE IN THE COUNTY OF WILTS ESQUIRE, ONE OF HIS MAJESTY’S JUSTICES OF THE PEACE FOR THE SAME COUNTY; WHO DIED MARCH 14TH: 1814, AGED 65: HE WAS THE YOUNGEST SON OF JOHN BYTHESEA, OF WEEK HOUSE, AND CHAPMANSLADE WILTS ESQUIRE, WHO WAS FOR MANY YEARS IN THE COMMISSION OF THE PEACE FOR THAT COUNTY, AND JANE HIS WIFE, DAUGHTER OF THE REVD. THOMAS LEIR, M. A. RECTOR OF DITCHEAT AND CHARLTON MUSGROVE SOMERSET, BY HIS WIFE MARY, DAUGHTER OF THOMAS FREKE, OF HANNINGTON HOUSE WILTS ESQUIRE. AND TO HIS FIRST WIFE ANNE, ELDEST DAUGHTER OF THOMAS WHITTAKER, OF NORTH BRADLEY ESQUIRE, AGED 20. ALSO TO FANNY, HIS SECOND WIFE YOUNGEST DAUGHTER OF THE ABOVE THOMAS WHITTAKER, WHO DIED 10TH: APRIL 1780, AGED 23. ALSO TO THEIR SON HENRY WILLIAM, BORN 1777, AGED 15 MONTHS. ALSO TO HIS THIRD WIFE ANNE, DAUGHTER OF JOHN BUDD, OF GREENHAM IN THE COUNTY OF BERKS ESQUIRE, WHO DIED IN 1802, AGED 45. AND TO THEIR SON RICHARD VINER, WHO DIED NOVR: 9TH 1794, AGED 4 YEARS. ALSO TO ROBERT HALLIDAY BYTHESEA ESQUIRE, BROTHER OF THE ABOVE HENRY BYTHESEA. THIS TABLET IS ERECTED AS A SMALL TRIBUTE OF LOVE AND GRATITUDE BY HIS AFFECTIONATE SON SAMUEL WILLIAM BYTHESEA OF THE MILL FRESHFORD SOMERSET

7. n white on grey marble on north wall of vestry, in east corner below 6
8. In white on black marble on north wall of vestry, above and between the windows
9. In white on black marble on south wall of vestry, in west corner

7. NEAR THIS SPOT IN THE ADJOINING CHURCH YARD ARE DEPOSITED THE MORTAL REMAINS OF ANNE, RELICT OF WILLIAM SHEPPARD ESQ (LATE OF FROME) WHO DEPARTED THIS LIFE AT BATH, FEBY: 20TH: 1820, AGED 83 YEARS – Blefsed are the dead which die in the Lord – THIS MEMORIAL OF RESPECT AND AFFECTION IS ERECTED BY HER THREE SURVIVING DAUGHTERS, TO A BELOVED AND HONORED PARENT

8. Sacred to the Memory of SAMUEL LEDYARD Esqr. who departed this Life June 1791, Aged 63 Years And of RACHEL his Wife, who died 28th of December 1808, Aged 69 Years. And alfo of their Grand-Daughter ELIZABETH RACHEL LEDYARD who, in the full hope of everlasting Life Through the merits of her adored Saviour, left this World on 27th of Jany 1820 at the early age of 17 Years. Believe in the Lord Jefus Chrift; and thou shalt be saved.

9. SACRED TO THE MEMORY OF MARIA CHARLOTTE VALENTINA THE BELOVED WIFE OF ROBERT MARSHALL STRAIGHT ESQRE AND SECOND DAUGHTER OF HUMPHRY MINCHIN NOAD ESQRE OF SHAWFORD HOUSE, IN THIS PARISH, WHO DEPARTED THIS LIFE WHILE YET A BRIDE ON THE 3RD NOVR 1839 AT THE EARLY AGE OF 18 YEARS

10. In white on black marble on north wall of north aisle, just west of vestry
11. In brass on north wall of north aisle, below 10
12. In white on black marble on north wall of north aisle, just to east of north door

10. TO THE MEMORY OF MARY, WIFE OF JOHN BROWNJOHN, WHO DIED APRIL 11 1778, AGED 77 YEARS, JOHN BROWNJOHN, WHO DIED JULY 8, 1781, AGED 81 YEARS JOHN BROWNJOHN, SON OF THE ABOVE, WHO DIED NOVR 5 1827, AGED 88 YEARS ALSO JANE BROWNJOHN, WHO DIED FEB 24 1826, AGED 73 YEARS JOSEPH BROWNJOHN, HUSBAND OF THE ABOVE, WHO DIED DECR 7 1826, AGED 85 YEARS ALSO THE UNDERMENTIONED CHILDREN OF JOSEPH AND JANE BROWNJOHN JOHN HAYES BROWNJOHN, WHO DIED JUNE 11 1812, AGED 25 YEARS MARY BROWNJOHN APRIL 7 1853, 75 YEARS MARTHA BROWNJOHN MAY 4 1854, 72 YEARS CATHARINE HAYES BROWNJOHN JAN 29 1855, 79 YEARS JANE PERKS (WIFE OF JAMES CARPENTER PERKS) WHO DIED JANY 3 1857, AGED 77 YEARS AND IS INTERRED IN MONKTON COMBE CHURCH-YARD. THIS TABLET IS ERECTED BY ELIZABETH B. HORTON, DAUGHTER OF JAMES C. AND JANE PERKS. THE ABOVE NAMED ELIZABETH B. HORTON, DIED AT FROME, SEPT 18 1882, AGED 74.

11. IN REMEMBRANCE OF JOSIAH FRANCES WHO DIED AT ROAD, JUNE 20TH 1891. AGED 88 YEARS. HE HELD THE OFFICE OF PARISH CLERK FOR 53 YEARS, DURING THAT TIME HE ATTENDED 664 FUNERALS AT THIS CHURCH HE DIED IN JESUS AND IS BLEST

12. IN MEMORY OF MARY, THE ONLY CHILD OF JOHN & MARY WEREAT, GRANDAUGHTER OF JOHN & MARY BROWNJOHN, AND WIFE OF WILLIAM PERKS, SHE DIED THE 23RD OF MARCH 1853 AGED 77 YEARS. ALSO OF WILLIAM PERKS, HUSBAND OF THE ABOVE WHO DIED THE 10TH OF MARCH 1872 AGED 95 YEARS. THEY WERE BOTH BURIED IN THIS CHURCH NEAR THIS SPOT. THIS TABLET WAS ERECTED BY THEIR THREE ONLY CHILDREN JOHN BROWNJOHN PERKS WILLIAM WEREAT PERKS AND THOMAS HOLWAY PERKS

13. In brass on north wall of north aisle, just below 12
14. In white on black marble on north wall of north aisle, just west of north door
15a. In elaborate stonework on north wall of north aisle, between the windows, upper section

13. TO THE MEMORY OF MRS MARY ANN DYER VERGER OF ROAD PARISH CHURCH BORN FEB 26TH 1814. DIED JAN 5TH 1904. THIS TABLET IS ERECTED BY PARISHIONERS AND FRIENDS TO MARK THEIR APPRECIATION OF HER LOVING CARE OF THIS HOUSE OF GOD WITH WHICH SHE WAS CONNECTED FOR A PERIOD OF SIXTY YEARS

14. SACRED TO THE MEMORY OF JANE, DAUGHTER OF JOHN & ELIZABETH THOMAS WHO DIED JANY 1ST 1837, AGED 57 YEARS ALSO OF ANN HER SISTER, WHO DEPARTED THIS LIFE MAY 20TH 1840, AGED 56 YEARS ALSO OF CHARLOTTE THEIR SISTER WHO DIED JANY 6 TH 1854 AGED 63 YEARS ALSO OF HARRIET, THEIR SURVIVING SISTER WHO DIED OCTOBER 28TH 1861 AGED 69 YEARS

15a. In memory of ANNE First Wife of BENJAMIN HAWKINS She Departed this Life ye 7th Day of August in the year of our Lord 1739 Being in the 32nd year of Her Age Also in Memory of EDITH Second Wife of the above BENJAMIN HAWKINS She Departed this Life the 5th Day of June, in the year of our Lord 1740 Being in the 32nd year of Her Age And also in Memory of BETTY Third Wife of the above BENJAMIN HAWKINS She Departed this Life the 22nd Day of September in the year of our, Lord 1746 Being in the 43rd year of Her Age And also in Memory of ANNE Fourth Wife of the above BENJAMIN HAWKINS She Departed this Life the 20th Day of May in the year of our Lord 1762 Being in the 39th year of Her Age

15b. In elaborate stonework on north wall of north aisle, between the windows, lower section
16. In brass on north wall of north aisle, under the west window
17. A stone plaque with blue incised lettering on west wall of north aisle, adjacent to nave

15b. Also In Memory of BENJAMIN HAWKINS Husband of the above Four Wives, who departed this Life Nover the 29 th 1772, Aged 69 Years Also of JOSEPH, son of the above Benjn Hawkins, who died April 6th, 1782, aged 26 years. Also of BENJAMIN, son of the last mentioned Benjamin Hawkins, who died January 19th, 1813, aged 59 years. Also of JOHN THOMAS, who died March 2nd 1819, aged 69 ELIZABETH , his Wife, who died Nov 9th, 1820, aged 71

16. TO THE MEMORY OF HENRY J. PROSSER BORN JUNE 22ND 1845, DIED SEP. 24TH, 1915, THIS TABLET IS ERECTED BY FRIENDS FROM FAR AND NEAR IN GRATEFUL RECOGNITION OF FIFTY YEARS DEVOTED SERVICE AS ORGANIST OF THIS CHURCH.

17. TO THE GLORY OF GOD AND IN LOVING MEMORY OF FREDERICK & ELIZA ARNOLD THE ELECTRIC LIGHT WAS INSTALLED IN THIS CHURCH BY THEIR SEVEN CHILDREN – 1946.

18. In brass on west wall of the nave, adjacent to the tower arch on the north side
19. In elaborate but worn stone on south side of north aisle, opposite north door and between bays 1 and 2
20. In brass on south wall of south aisle, under 2nd window from east

18. In Memory of William Roddoway Clerk of Woolverton Aged 72 Years and Jeremiah Crufe Clerk of this Parish Aged 70 Years WHO having lived in Habits of Friendship and Mutual Afsiftances in their Parochial Offices during a Long series of Years entered Immortality nearly together and were Both interred the 4th Day of June 1799.

19. Underneath this place Lyeth Ye Body of Samuel Tranter Senr who Depd this Life Septr ye 4th 1727 Aged 57 years Titus ye 2nd CHAP ye 11th & 12th verses For the grace of God that bring eth salvation hath appeared to all men Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously and Godly in this present world Also underneath lyeth ye Body of Elizabeth wife of Saml Tranter Senr who depd this Life Sepr ye 10th 1727 Aged ? (the rest is unreadable)

20. In affectionate Memory of JOHN HENRY MIDDLETON BUILDER OF THIS PARISH Born June 1st 1853 Died February l0th 1898 This tablet is placed here by ROBERT POOLL HENRY BATTEN POOLL and SOPHIA BATTEN POOLL By his death his Fellow villagers lost a trusted Friend, an active Worker in their interests and a noble example of a Manly Life, “HE THAT IS FAITHFUL IN THAT WHICH IS LEAST IS FAITHFUL ALSO IN MUCH”

21. In white on black marble on south wall of south aisle, between 2nd and 3rd windows
22. In brass on the south wall of south aisle, under 3rd window from east
23. In stone with blue incised lettering on south wall of south aisle under west window

21. TO THE BELOVED MEMORY OF JOHN POOLL, ESQR WHO DIED FEB 9 1807, AGED 59 AND OF ANN, HIS WIFE WHO DEPARTED THIS LIFE FEB 5 1813 aged 57 ALSO IN AFFECTIONATE REMEMBRANCE OF THEIR CHILDREN ELIZABETH POOLL, WHO DIED JAN 23 1839, AGED 52; ALICE POOLL WHO DIED APRIL 12 1853, AGED 73; THOMAS POOLL, ESQR, WHO DIED FEB 11 1859, AGED 80; HENRY BATTEN POOLL, ESQR, JUSTICE OF THE PEACE FOR THE COUNTIES OF SOMERSET AND WILTS; WHO DIED DEC 8 1861, AGED 85; AND MARTHA POOLL, WHO DIED FEB 26 1874, AGED 82. JAMES BAILEY, ESQR WHO DIED NOV 3 1853, AGED 70; ALSO OF ANN, WIDOW OF THE ABOVE-NAMED JAMES BAILEY, ESQR WHO DIED FEB 6 1879, AGED 96. “THERE REMAINETH THEREFORE A REST TO THE PEOPLE OF GOD” HEBREWS.IV.9.

22. SACRED TO THE MEMORY OF WILLIAM ALFRED WHEELER BUGLER, ROYAL MARINE LIGHT INFANTRY. THE YOUNGER SON OF COL. SERGT. WM. WHEELER (LATE R.M.L.I.) OF THIS VILLAGE. THIS BOY WAS DROWNED IN HIS 17TH YEAR IN THE SERVICE OF HIS COUNTRY TOGETHER WITH THE RT. HON. THE EARL KITCHENER OF KHARTOUM, K.G., HIS MAJESTY’S SECRETARY OF STATE FOR WAR, ON JUNE 5TH 1916, WHEN HMS HAMPSHIRE WAS LOST AT SEA OFF THE ORKNEY ISLANDS. “The trumpet shall sound and the dead shall be raised.”

23. IN MEMORY OF HENRY SIDNEY FUSSELL 1884-1958. CHURCHWARDEN OF THIS PARISH FOR MANY YEARS ALSO OF HIS WIFE ADA 1886-1982.

24. In stone with black incised lettering on south wall of south aisle below 23
25. In brass on west wall of the nave, adjacent to the tower arch on the south side

24. IN MEMORY OF PERCIVAL JAMES (JIM) WHEELER 1920 – 1997

25. Near THIS PLACE LIETH THE BODIES OF MARY THE WIFE OF SAMUEL POBIAY AND IANE FRIPP, HER SISTER WHO WAS INTERR’D DEC: 3, 1729 Stay passers by, and here behold Two sisters lie, inclos’d in mould, They liv’d in love, in peace they dy’d, Both in this grave, at once were laid, Weep not for us, Dear friends no more, We are not dead, but gone before, Tho’ we on Earth, did part in pain, In heav’n we hope to meet again. There to be Crown’d, and with the just, Receive those joys can’t be exprest, There for to dwell, with God on high, And Christ to all, Eternity.

26. Stained glass east window of chancel (No image). To the glory of God and in affectionate remembrance of Mary Ann , his wife and her many virtues this window is erected by her husband, Charles Glossop, Rector of Road cum Woolverton, AD. MDCCCLXXIII (1873)

27. Stained glass east window of south aisle (No image). In memory of Arthur Mayne Noad Commander, Royal Navy Died at Road 12th November 1882 aged 74 years

28. Small brass plate below candle bracket on south wall (No image). In memory of Donald Risdon 1911-1994 founder of the Tropical Bird Gardens Rode

Published
16 March 2024
Last Updated
17 March 2024