Notes on Old Stowmarket
Entries from Past Parish Magazines
The following information has been taken from our old
Parish magazines. The information particularly
concentrates upon inscriptions that can be found on
various monuments and slabs within the church
confines. We hope that this is of interest particularly to
those searching out family history.
(1)
At one time Stowmarket was the centre for confirmations for that portion of the
Archdeaconry of Suffolk included in the Deaneries of Bosmere Stow and part of Claydon,
the Bishop confirming only at intervals of three years. Some of our elder readers may
perhaps remember these triennial festivals, for festivals they really were. The
candidates were brought early into the town from the neighbouring villages in farm
wagons, which with the horses were decked with flowers and green boughs. The
confirmation took place in a crowded church, friends and relatives flocking into the town
to see their young people come forward in their turn, and to listen to the kindly counsels
of the Bishop. Sometimes a brass band accompanied the candidates on their journey to
the town, and always the merry bells, which are still as silvery and sweet as ever, made
music for the town.
So far all was well. But when the ceremony had come to an end and it was time to think
of the journey home again, things were not well. A good deal of drinking ensued, and
too often what was commenced in a sober and religious spirit, ended in quarrels, bad
language, and insobriety.
Some old lists of Stowmarket persons confirmed will be interesting to those who care for
ancient local history – and nowadays, who does not – as indicating the connexion with
the town of that time of families whose representatives are still among us. It is worth
noting that the number confirmed from Stowmarket itself was very small, indicating it is
to be feared much coldness and indifference among church folk of the various periods
interested. The first list gives the names of candidates presented on June 9th, 1729, by
the Vicar, and reads as follows :“The names of ye persons were confirmed by William Lord Bishop of Norwich (Dr.
Baker), at his primary visitation holden at Stowmarket on June 9th, 1729, are as
followeth, viz:FEMALES
Susanna Woodward
Mary Harper
Elizabeth Baem
Deborah Turner
MALES
Robert Harper
John Minter
John Turner
“The names of ye persons who were confirmed by Robert Lord Bishop of Norwich (Dr.
Butts) at his primary visitation holden at Stowmarket on June 14th, 1735, are as
followeth, viz:FEMALES
MALES
Miss Fernley
Frances Alexander
Sarah Laws
Mary Scrivener
Elisabeth Minter
Hannah Minter
Susan Pizzy
Sarah Howe
Elisabeth Howe
Martha Smith
Jane Harper
John Pizzy
Thos. Howe
George Morgan
Thomas Turner
Edmund Minter
Francis Miles
James Davie
In 1747 occurs the following note :- “Dr. Gooche. None of ye parish were confirmed at
his primary visitation holden at Stowmarket on June 20th, 1747.”
(2)
The engraving of the “Adoration of the Magi” (date, 1513), is by Lucas Van Leyden
chief of the school of “Little Masters” – so called because their work was principally
confined to small engravings – usually only few square inches in size – which however
are so rare, and so much sought after by connoisseurs and collectors, that they usually
command very large prices.
The print now presented to the Church is the largest Lucas is known to have produced,
and although in excellent preservation, is really as old as some parts of the structure of
the Church itself. Lucas Van Leyden was born in 1494, and died in 1533. By the time
he was 16 years of age he became the friendly Dutch rival of the great German artist
and engraver, Albert Durer.
The subject of the engraving is the “Epiphany of our Blessed Lord,” and is full of curious
interest. The ground is filled with quaint figures in the costumes of the engraver’s
day. The Virgin Mother and the Holy Child with St. Joseph are on the right, and the
centre of the piece is occupied by the stately portrait of the then reigning German
Kaiser, or as he is more correctly styled, the holy Roman Emperor Maximilian 1.,
surnamed the Great: doubtless there are other portraits among the potentates
present. The Emperor is in the act of handing his cup to a figure on his right, and in his
left hand is holding a large chalice or golden cup, which he is about to present. The
infant Christ is represented is represented as peering curiously into a casket already
placed before him by another kingly person.
(3)
“HOME WORDS” – September 1902
Poem by Canon Twells
Times Paces
“When as a child I laughed and wept;
TIME CREPT.
When as a youth I waxed more bold,
TIME STROLLED.
When I became a full grown man:
TIME RAN.
When older still I daily grew,
TIME FLEW.
When soon I shall find in passing on,
TIME GONE.
O CHRIST! Wilt thou have saved me then.
AMEN.
PARISH MAGAZINE
JULY 1901
The author of “monumental inscriptions & heraldry in Stowmarket Church,” Mr. Charles
Partridge, was appointed to an important post in West Africa.
(4)
BELFRY RULES (CIRC 1714)
Once painted on a board in Stowmarket Church tower.
We ring the quick to church, the dead to grave.
Good is our use, such usage let us have.
Who swears or curses, or in chol’ric
mood,
quarrels or curses, although he draws no blood,
who wears his hat, or spur, or overturns
a bell,
or by unskilful handling mars a peal,
let him pay six pence for each
single crime,
‘twill make him cautious ‘gainst another time.
So when the bells are ceased,
then let us sing,
God bless our holy church! God save the King.
(5)
MONUMENTS IN STOWMARKET CHURCH. - By the kindness of Mr. C. Partridge we
are enabled to supply a series of descriptions of the tomb inscriptions, monuments,
brasses and mural tablets in our parish Church.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MONUMENTAL INSCRIPTIONS AND HERALDRY
INSTOWMARKET CHURCH
By Charles Partridge, Junior, M.A.
Section A. Mural Tablets and Windows in Chancel.
No.1 Tablet on N. wall.
“Gather the wheat into my barn.” Matthew 13,30.
Sacred to the memory of SAMUEL HOLLINGSWORTH, ESQ’RE, who died at Grouville, in
the island of Jersey, on the 30th March, 1843, in the 86th year of his age, saying “I am
in the full prospect of a glorious immortality thro’ the merits of my Redeemer.”
Below the inscription is the Hollingsworth coat-of-arms; azure on a bend argent three
holly-leaves vert; crest, a stag couchant reguardant argent; motto, semper eadem
(always the same). He was in the Royal Navy, and was father of the Vicar of
Stowmarket.
No. 2 Tablet on N. wall.
This tablet is erected to the memory of ARTHUR GEORGE HARPUR HOLLINGSWORTH,
Clerk, M.A., Vicar of the united parishes of Stowmarket and Stowupland, for 25
years. He died at his residence, Langer-|House, Felixstowe, on the 2nd January, 1859,
aged 57 years.
“In Jesus.”
Above the inscription is the following coat-of-arms: Hollingsworth (quartering Karr, de
Vere, Christian) impaling (? De Montfort, quartering? and ?); crest and motto, as on
No.1. His ‘History of Stowmarket’ appeared in 1844, with his pedigree at p.63.
No. 3 Tablet on N. wall, over door opening into vestry. The lettering has been gilded
by some modern hand, (probably when the Tyrell monuments were restored), and the
workman, not understanding Latin, has made several mistakes. The inscription is here
printed correctly, the mistakes being recorded afterwards.
Gratitudinis ergo hoc marmor posuerunt
hujus loci Incolae Monimentum Virt, rarae [1] eruditio [2]
nis, rarae pietatis et (quod solum instar omnium
est) rarae Charitatis Reuerendi admodum
RICHARDI SHUTE
qui hic olim [3] in Sacris praesidebat, [4] et
uitium et malos mores (post obitum
suum non tam faciles expugnatu) Vita
Doctrina imo etiam et Venerabili aspectu
expugnabat, miseris et egenis pater dum
Vixit, mortuus angustis rebus Succerrere
non [5] desijt: Quippe qui nouissimo
Testamento pauperibus hujus oppidi
Centum minas dono reliquit Vita functus
est opulentis et egenis bonis et malis summo [6]
lucto deplorandus
Anno Dom: 1686 – 7: AEtatis Suae 54
[1] Engraved “Virtrarae. ” [2] The hyphen is not gilded. [3] Gilded as “hie olmi”.
This comma is not gilded. [5] Gilded as “nott”. [6] Gilded as Sumtn”.
[4]
Following is the translation of the above
Out of gratitude the inhabitants of this place have erected this stone as a memorial to
the excellence of the eminent learning, eminent piety, and (what alone of all things is
valuable) the eminent kindliness of the truly Reverend Richard Shute, who here of late
was foremost in sacred duties; by his life, his creed, and also even by his benignant
countenance, he strove against both vice and evil customs (after his death not so easily
vanquished); to the unhappy and needy a father while he lived; in death he did not
cease to minister to their wants, for by his last will he bequeathed £100 to the poor of
this town; in life he did his duty to the rich and poor, to the good and bad; mourned for
with deepest grief [he died] A.D. 1686 – 7 [I.e. 1686 old style, 1687 new style] aged 54.
Above the inscription is an heraldic shield: Shute (per chevron sable and or in chief two
eagles displayed of the second) impaling Fairclough (or a lion rampant sable between
three fleurs-de-lis azure).
No. 4 East Window, filled in with coloured glass, and having five large lights. On the
N. side a brass plate fixed to the wall bears the following inscription: THE TWO ADJACENT LIGHTS OF THIS WINDOW WERE GIVEN
TO THE GLORY OF GOD AND IN LOVING MEMORY OF
ANNA LAETITIA MARRIOTT, WIDOW OF JOHN MARRIOTT,
WHO DIED 9TH FEBRUARY, 1882, AGED 81 YEARS.
AND OF JOHN MARRIOTT, HIS ELDEST SON,
WHO DIED 5TH JANUARY 1884, AT KARACHI, SCINDE, AGED 55 YEARS.
The middle light is inscribed:
IN MEMORIAM MARIAE. ISABELLAE . OAKES . P .C CONJUX AMANTISSIMUS.
The fourth light from the N. end is inscribed:
IN MEMORIAM . FREDERICI BECK . MARRIOTT . MATER FRATER . ET . SOROR.
The fifth light from the N. end is inscribed:
IN . MEMORIAM . JOHANNIS MARRIOTT P . C . UXOR ET . LIBERI.
On the S. side a brass plate fixed to the wall bears the following inscription:
THE TWO ADJACENT LIGHTS OF THIS WINDOW WER GIVEN
TO THE GLORY OF GOD AND IN LOVING MEMORY OF
JOHN MARRIOTT OF STOWMARKET,
WHO DIED MARCH 10TH, 1875, AGED 79 YEARS.
AND OF FREDERICK BECK MARRIOTT, HIS YOUNGEST SON,
WHO DIED 11TH OCTOBER 1875, AGED 40 YEARS.
The letters “P.C.” in the above inscriptions stand for “ponendum curavit” – “caused [this
window] to be put up”.
For generations the Marriotts were lawyers, and for generations they have lived near
Stowmarket – at Mendlesham, Stowupland, Needham Market. In Mendlesham
churchyard they are commemorated by a group of altar-tombs on the S. side of the
Chancel. The oldest is for Robert Marriott, who died 26th October, 1707, aged 102
years. He was born, therefore, in 1604 or 1605. His son, Robert Marriott of
Mendlesham, born 1649-50, died in 1726, aged 76. In the next generation was Robert
Marriott of Mendlesham, afterwards of Stowupland, attorney-at-law, born 1688-89,
bought Thorney Hall in Stowupland in 1740, and died in 1767, aged 78. He married
Sarah, daughter of Francis Brooke of Kersey Priory, by Martha his wife, youngest
daughter and co-heiress of Peregrine Clarke of Kersey priory. (Mary Brooke, Mrs
Marriott’s sister, married John Medows of Henley Hall, and their son, John Medows
Theobald, was High Sheriff of Suffolk in 1787. Elizabeth Brooke, another sister married
Francis Theobald of the Middle Temple, grandson of Sir Francis Theobald of Barking
Hall.) Robert and Sarah Marriott had two sons: Robert of Stowupland, attorney, died
without issue in 1794, aged 60, and John of Needham Market, born 1736-37, died in
1785, aged 48. The latter married Martha, daughter of Nich. Diggon of Wangford Hall,
by Martha his wife, daughter of the Rev. Matt. Goodrich, Rector of Brandon, who was
descended from Tho. Goodrich, Bishop of Ely in Henry VIII’s reign. (The Rector of
Brandon’s wife was daughter of the Rev. John Wright, Chief Justice of the King’s Bench
in 1687). John and Martha Marriott were parents of John Marriott of Thorney Hall,
Stowupland, born 1760-1, died in 1824, aged 63, having married Martha Diggon
Batman. She was younger daughter of the Rev. Tho. Batman, Rector of Ickburgh with
Langford, Norfolk. Their second son, John Marriott of Stowmarket, solicitor, born 179596, died in 1875, aged 79, having married Anna Laetitia, daughter of Edward Bigsby
Beck of Creeting St Mary. Their son, the Hon. John Marriott, Advocate-General of
Bombay, was father of Mr Charles Marriott, one of the Churchwardens in 1901.
The middle light of the east window is in memory of Mary Isabel, wife of Hervey Aston
Oakes, who died 19th January 1872. The Oakes family have been connected with Bury
St Edmunds and its neighbourhood for several generations. They originated
in Lancashire. William Oakes of Ardwick, Manchester, was father of William Oakes of the
same place, who married Elizabeth Beck, and was father of James Oakes, baptised
1701. He settled at Bury, and married, as second wife, Susan, daughter of Orbell Ray,
alderman of that town. He died in 1759, aged 58; she in 1788, aged 82, and both were
buried in St James’ Church at Bury. Their son, James Oakes of Bury, banker, J.P. and
D.L., born 1741, married in 1764, Elizabeth Adamson of Warham, Norfolk, died in 1829,
aged 87, and was buried in St Mary’s Church at Bury. They had two sons, the younger
of whom, the Rev. James Oakes, M.A., many years Rector of Tostock and Rattlesden,
and Vicar of Thurston and Gipping, married the only daughter of the Rev. Charles Tyrell,
grandfather of the late Colonel Tyrell of Plashwood, and had an only son, Charles Tyrell
Oakes of East Burgholt, and several daughters, one of whom was wife of the Rev. the
Hon. Henry Leslie, Rector of Wetherden, son of the Countess of Rothes. The elder son of
James and Elizabeth Oakes of Bury was Orbell Ray Oakes of Bury, J.P. and D.L., born
1768, who in 1832 purchased the manor of Nowton and part of the lands, which estate,
now called Nowton Court, is still the seat of his descendants. He married, in 1795,
Elizabeth Frances, third daughter of John Plampin of Chadacre Hall, Shimpling, and died
in 1837. They had four sons and an only daughter, Elizabeth Frances, wife of Lieut-Col.
R.S. Hustler, R.E. The eldest son, Henry James Oakes, M.A., J.P., and D.L., of Nowton
Court, born 1796, High Sheriff of Suffolk in 1847, married, in 1820, Mary Anne, daughter
of the Rev. Robert Porteus, grandnephew of Dr. Beilby Porteus, Bishop of London, and
died in 1875. His eldest son was the late James Henry Porteus Oakes of Nowton Court,
M.A., J.P., and D.L., M.P. for Bury, 1852-57. (Francis Marian, only daughter of Henry
James Oakes, married the Rev. Henry Bunbury Blake, and was mother of the present Sir
Patrick James Graham Blake, fifth baronet of Bardwell Manor, near Ixworth.) The
youngest son of Orbell Ray Oakes was the Rev. Hervey Aston Adamson Oakes, M.A., of
Bury, Rector of Nowton, who by Elizabeth his wife, daughter of the Rev. T.H. Elvin,
Rector of east Barnet, Hertfordshire, was father of Hervey Aston Oakes, J.P., of
Stowmarket.
No.5 Window on south side of altar, filled with coloured glass.
Below the window is a brass plate bearing the following inscription:TO THE GLORY OF GOD AND IN LOVING MEMORY OF HENRY LEWIS, M.A., FOR 15
YEARS VICAR OF THIS PARISH, WHO DIED JULY 31st, 1876, AGED 53,
AT KNIGHTS ENHAM, ANDOVER, OF WHICH PLACE HE WAS RECTOR ONLY A FEW
MONTHS. THIS WINDOW IS ERECTED BY HIS
SORROWING WIDOW, JANE MARGARET LEWIS. “HE BEING DEAD YET SPEAKETH.”
Mr. Lewis is remembered with affectionate regard by many of his parishioners here.
No. 6 Tablet on South Wall
NEAR THIS PLACE
ARE DEPOSITED THE REMAINS OF
JOHN BOBY, GENT.,
(LATE OF STOWUPLAND),
WHO DIED THE 7TH OF APRIL, 1817;
AGED 74 YEARS.
ALSO ANN, RELICT OF JOHN BOBY, GENT.,
WHO DIED THE 25TH OF JANUARY, 1835,
AGED 84 YEARS.
The Bobys are one of the oldest yeoman families still represented in this
neighbourhood. the farm at Stowupland called The Ashes was owned and occupied by
them from Charles II’s reign until 1880, and the ancient moated manor-house of
Columbine Hall, Stowupland, has been tenanted by them for generations. Mr Robert
Boby, of Columbine hall, has in his possession a lease, dated 1732, of property at
Stowupland then occupied by John Boby, of Stowupland, yeoman, and Rob. B. his son as
tenants of the Garneys family, and in another lease, dated 1773, the tenants are Eliz.
Boby, widow, and John B. her son. Probably the first-named John was father of the Rob.
Boby, of Stowupland, who was born 1705-6, died a765, aged 59 (head-stone in
Stowmarket churchyard). His son John, born 1742-43, married Ann Cross, and died
1817, aged 74 (tablet in Stowmarket chancel). Their son, John Boby, of The Ashes, born
there 1786, married Sarah Sadler, of Boxted, near Colchester, and died 1869. He was
father of John B., of The Ashes, Robert Boby, now of Columbine Hall (married Eliz. King,
of Stowmarket), and Henry B., of Wyverstone Park, afterwards of The Ashes.
Mr. Boby, of Columbine Hall, has also an old copy of the will, dated 1754, of Nicholas
Boby, of Stowupland, yeoman. He names his daughter Anne Whaits, his grandsons John
Wright Boby, and George and Nich. Whaits, and his wife Lydia, daughter of Tho.
and Lydia Richer. One of the executors was Rob. Boby the younger, of Stowupland,
yeoman. In Stowmarket churchyard there is a head-stone for ich. Whaits,”Late of
Columbine Hall,” born 1739-40, died 1821, aged 81. “Mr. Boby, jun., of Stowupland”
was a subscriber to the 1764 edit. of The Suffolk Traveller.
Section B. Slabs on floor of Chancel, E. to W.
No. VIII.
Here lyeth the body of THOMAS BLACKERBY
Esq: who was elected ALDERMAN of the City
of LONDON in the year of our Lord 1666
fined for the same and for SHERIFFE
of the said city.. He was HIGH SHERIFFE
of this County in the year of our Lord 1669.
He was a man of very great TEMPERANCE
of exemplary CHARITY of profound
HUMILITY and strict PIETY very ZEALOUS
in the discharge of his duty both as a
MAGISTRATE and as a private person
He did much good both in this Town
and other places whilest he lived
and is gone to receive his Reward
He died 2 Nov. 1688 Aetat. Suoe 76
MORIENDO VIUIT>
Above the inscription is the following coat-of-arms: - Gyronny of eight on a carton a
mullet (Blackerby), impaling A chief and in base three roses two and one (Sparrow);
over all, in middle chief point, a crescent for difference. Crest:- A man’s head between
two laurel branches.
Section B. Slabs on floor of Chancel, E. to W.
No. IX
This inscription is partly worn away. The letters, &c., in square brackets are taken from
Davy’s “Suffolk Church Notes” in the British Museum, Add. Ms. 19106).
Here lye interd the bodyes of SAMUEL
BLACKERBY and Ann his Wife:
He was Vicar of this Town for almost 12 years:
She was ye Daughter of RICHARD FFORSTER
of NASSINGTON in NORTHAMPTONSHIRE
Gent: as also the bodyes of NATHANIEL
THOMAS AND MARTHA
their Children:
They both loved greatly desired
and dyed greatly lamented.
He dyed 20th Decr. 1674 Aetat Suae 5 6
She dyed 12th Novr. 1666 Aetat Suae 4 6
MEMORIA JUSTI BENEDICTA
Above the inscription is the following shield:- Blackerby (as in No. viii.) impaling A
chevron between three bugle-horns stringed (Forster). Davy adds a crescent to the
Blackerby shield for difference, and the Blackerby crest. (In the description of the
Blackerby shield in No. viii., “carton” is a misprint for “canton”.)
No.X
(Inscription partly worn away. Letters, &c., in square brackets supplied from Add. Ms.
19106 in the British Museum.)
Here Lyeth the Body of ye Reuerend
MR. RICHARD SHVTE who was eleuen
yeares [Minister] of this Town of Stow
Markett aged [54] dyed the 3d of Feb.
1[6]8[6-7]
[Reader if thou wouldest be informed
who this person was, thou must peruse
his funeral Sermon.]
Above the inscription is the following shield:- Per chevron in chief two eagles
displayed (Shute), impaling a lion rampant between three fleurs-delis (Fairclough). There is a tablet to Mr. Shute on the N. wall of the chancel-see No.III.
No. XI.
(Inscription partly worn away. Letters, &c., in square brackets supplied from Add.
Ms.19106 in the British Museum).
Here lyeth the Body of [that eminent Divine]
MR. SAMUEL FAIRCLOUGH who was many Years
Minister of Ketton in this County but Dyed in
this Town the [13th] of December 16{77}
in the 8[4th] Year of his Age.
The coat-of-arms above the inscription has long been worn away. “Ketton” is a
corruption of Kedington.
No. XII.
In Memory of
NATHL. FAIRCLOUGH Gent.
a valuable and useful Inhabitant of this Parish
who died Janry. 17th 1753 Aged 78.
And of ELIZ: his belov’d Wife
who died April 6th 1756 Aged 73.
As also three of their Children
COOKE died an Infant in 1714
JOHN died 25th May 1729 Aged 13 years
ELIZABETH died 12th November 1733
Aged 23 years.
Above the inscription is the following coat-of-arms:- A lion rampant between three
fleurs-de-lis (Fairclough); crest, A lion rampant.
No. XIII.
In Memory of
JOSEPH LAMB
who departed this Life
the 24th Janry, 1782,
Aged 67 years.
Also of MARGARET his Wife
who departed this Life
the 14th June 1784,
Aged 66 years.
Also SARAH the Wife of
MR. WILLM. RANSON of LONDON,
And Daughter of
JOSEPH and MARGARET LAMB
who died the 4th May 1791
Aged 35 years.
No. XIV.
On this slab, which lies partly in the chancel and partly in the nave, is a matrix or mould,
12 inches long by 3 broad, containing formerly an inscribed brass plate. On 5 February
1644 (new style) Stowmarket Church was visited by the notorious Wm. Dowsing,
appointed by the Parliament to desecrate Churches in this county, who records in his
diary:- We gave orders to break down about 70 superstitious Pictures [meaning saintly
figures in the windows and on the walls]; and to levell the Chancel, to Mr. Manning, that
promised to do it; and to take down 2 Crosses, one on the Steeple and the other on the
Church, (as it is called [meaning Nave]); and took of [up] an Inscription, of ora pro
nobis.
Considerable damage was done by these fanatics (see Hollingsworth’s Hist. of
Stowmarket, 165-167), but a careful examination of vol.XXX of Davy’s Suffolk Collections
in the British Museum convinces me that quite as much, if not more, damage has been
done in our church by so-called “restorers” of the nineteenth century! When Davy
visited Stowmarket in 1811 and 1827, the church contained many objects of art and
interest which have since been “restored” away. Only a few years ago, many of the
head-stones in the churchyard were ruthlessly removed from the graves to which they
belonged- monuments erected at the expense of the deceased’s relatives or friends- and
set up, some in hideous straight rows, and others as a sort of exterior dado to the south
side of the church.
No. XV.
Before leaving the chancel, another inscription should be recorded. A small slab lying
between the doorway in the S. wall and the middle aisle is inscribed:
The Mouth of Late
Mr. JOHN BOBY’S
Vault.
Notes on this family appeared in the Parish Magazine of August and September, 1901.
Church History (continued)
Section C. Slabs on floor of Nave, E. to W.
No. XV.
This inscription is almost indecipherable, but just enough remains to show that it is what
Davy has recorded at fo. 192b of vol. XXX of his Suffolk Collections (Add. Ms.
19,106). He transcribed it from a copy taken in 1721 or 1756.
HERE LYES YE BODY OF RICHARD
PERNHAM BACHELOR IN DIVINITY
VICCAR SOMETIME OF THIS P’ISHE [PARISH]
WHO DIED YE FIRST OF FEBRUARY
1627,
Thus tyme and death doe earth to earth restore
This sonne w… … …mo… … … … …st reposeth
and he that liv… …a… … … … …divine before
Lyes here interr’d, a grave a grave incloseth.
None will I hope so sacreligious prove
To robb him of his due desert and merritt,
But with his virtues, if they fall in love
And covett such rare jewells to inheritt,
Know yt [that] this stone makes to the world relation
He left them in her… …self for imitation
He [? two words.]
Mr. Pernham became Vicar on the 10 Nov., 1625, and was buried here, according to the
register, on 4 Feb., 1628 (new style), being succeeded on 27 Mar., 1628, by Tho. Yonge
see No. xvii).
No. XVI.
Beneath are Interred the Remains of
WILLIAM ALDRICH Gent.
who died 25th March 1767
Aged 66 Years.
ELIZth. his wife died 5th April 1773
Aged 70 Years.
MARY Life of Mr. JNo. ALDRICH
died 25th March 1771
Aged 30 Years.
AMY, JOHN, MARY and CAROLINE
(Issue of Mr. JOHN ALDRICH
and AMY his Second Wife)
died in their Infancy.
Mrs. MARY MUDD died Febry. 17th 1773
Aged 60 Years
Mr. PELHAM ALDRICH
died 18th Sepbr. 1778
Aged 39 Years.
MR. JOHN ALDRICH
died 12th April 1797
Aged 51 Years.
AMY, Wife of Mr. JOHN ALDRICH
died 9th July 1816, Aged 67 Years.
ELIZTH, Daur. of JOHN and AMY ALDRICH
died 26th January 1823, Aged 35 Years.
No. XVII.
Now indecipherable. It commemorates the famous Dr. Young, Vicar of Stowmarket,
and Tutor of the Poet Milton. the inscription from Ford’s Suffolk Garland, 1818, p. 280:
Here is committed to earth’s trust
Wise, pious, spotlesse, learned dust,
Wh living more adorned the place,
Than the place him such was God’s grace.
To
DD
Mr. oF Je Coll Cam
A member of Y late assem.
Pastor here An 28
Aetatis 68
Tho. Younge. Died An.
Xti 1655.
Nov. 28.
Who, with his deare wife and Eldest
Son Tho. Young M.A. and president
of Je Coll Cam, lyes here expect
ing Y Resvrection.
Davy records the following arms above the inscription: Three piles on each a roundel in
chief; crest gone.
In Christ’s Coll. Magazine (Camb.) of Mich. Term 1895, an article appeared by C.P.
entitled “Another Milton’s Mulberry Tree.” The above inscription was there printed and
commented upon.
No. XVIII
Under this Marble Rest the Remains
of MRS. ELIZABETH BARNES
who departed this Life
May 13th, 1754
who was the Best of Parents
A Virtuous Wife the Best of Friends
Just to all.
But the path of the Just is as the Shining Light that Shineth more and
more unto the parfect Day. Prov:4 v 18.
And one of her Daughters
MRS. ELIZABETH BERRY BARNES
who departed this Life Octbr. 19th, 1763
and resteth till that Joyfull Day
when we shall rise to sing eternal Praises
and Hallelujahs, World without End, Amen.
And also the Body of
MRS. SARAH BEWLEY BARNES
who died the 23rd Day of November 1778.
Above the inscription are the following arms:-Quarterly, 1 and 4, Two bars embattled in
chief three roundel (Barnes), 2 and 3, Per pale a lion rampant guardant
crowned (Bestney), impaling, Ermine on a canton an orle (Bewley); crest, A leopard
passant collared and lined.
No. XIX.
In Hope of ye Ressurrection to
Life Eternal Under this Stone
are Deposited ye Body of MR.
IOHN VICTORYN son of MR. PETER
VICTORYN a Dutch Merchant
in London where he was
born A.D. 1662, and departed
this life ye 30th of Aug. 1720
Aged 58.
Then occurs the following coat-of-arms:-Quarterly, 1 and 4, A jamb winged, 2 and 3,
Three hedgehogs two and one, impaling A chevron between three garbs; crest, A jamb
winged.
Also ye Body of Elizabeth his
Widdow who Departed this
Life ye 29th of May 1725
Aged 53.
Section C.
Slabs on floor of Nave, E. to W.
No. XX
In Memory of
MR. JOHN VICTORYN
Late of this Town
Apothecary
who died the 7th Febry. 1731
Aged 37 Years.
Also
of JOHN the SON
of the aforesaid MR. VICTORYN
who died the 11th Augst. 1748
Aged 19 years.
Also
Robt. VICTORYN
who departed this Life
the 4th Sepr. 1767
Aged 36 years.
Also
of MRS MARGARET CHESSON,
who dyed on the 4th August 1779
Aged 72
And was the Mother of the said
ROBERT VICTORYN.
Section C. Slabs on floor of Nave, E. to W.
No. XXI
(This slab lies just E. of the fire grating).
Sacred to the Memory of
CONSTANCE VICTORYN
Wife of ROBERT VICTORYN
who departed this Life
the 28th of July, 1803
Aged 67 years.
Nos. XXII-XXIV.
Under the large mat at the west entrance lie three monumental slabs, one of which show
the matrix of a brass shield, and another the matrix of a brass inscription plate about 9
½ inches long.
Section D. Window and Mural Tablets in S. Aisle.
No. XXV.
The window at the E. end has three lights, the middle one of which is filled with coloured
glass, and bears the following inscription:IN – MEMORIAM – A – L – SIMPSON – QUI – PARVULIS – IN CHRISTO – INS –
TITUENDIS – SE – DABAT – HANC - PARTEM – FENESTRE – P – C – AMICI
which may be translated – Friends have caused this part of the window to be put up in
memory of A. L. Simpson, who used to apply himself in training the very young for
Christ. (Arthur Lankester Simpson, who died 26th August 1872, was superintendent of
the Sunday School, a post at one time filled by his father, Mr. Thomas Simpson).
Section D. Window and Mural Tablets in S. Aisle.
No. XXVI.
Tablet on S. wall, between the first and second windows from E. end.
Near this Place lye the Remains
of CHARLES BLOSSE Esqr.
Youngest Son of THOS. BLOSSE Esqr.
of BELSTED Hall in Suffolk,
He married ALICE only Daugr. of JOHN HOW
of this place Gentleman,
by whom he had Issue three Sons and three Daugrs.
JOHN and ELIZABETH only Survived him,
He departed this Life on the 28th of May
In the year of our Lord 1724,
Aged 76.
ELIZABETH
who excelled in the Practice of the Duties
both of Nature and Religion
Died on the 20th Decr. 1753
JOHN BLOSSE Esqr. Citizen and Stationer of LONDON
Deeply Affected with the LOSS
of his truly Excellent Sister Survived her
only till the third of May 1754.
Aged 64.
Above the inscription is a coat of arms: Three griffins passant in pale (Blosse); crest
broken off.
Section D. Window and Mural Tablets in S. Aisle.
No. XXVII.
Tablet on S. wall, between first and second windows from W. end, and near the Font.
Near this Place are Interred
the Remains of THOMAS MORE
Late of this Town Gent,
who died the 10th Novr. 1754
Aged 66 years.
Also ELIZTH, Relict of the said THOS,
who died the 1st of July, 1759
Aged (blank) years.
Also FRANCES BALL Daughter of
the said THOMAS and ELIZABETH
who died the 19th of Octr. 1772
Aged 56 years.
Also THOMAS MORE Gent, Son of
the said THOMAS and ELIZABETH
who died the 6th April 1773
Aged 56 years.
Also CHARLOTTE MARY Daughter of
the said THOMAS MORE the Son
who died the 9th of Febry. 1775
Aged 14 years.
Section E.
Slabs on floor of S. Aisle.
No. XXVIII.
Between second and third pillars from E. end.
Sacred to the Memory of the Revd.
SAMUEL FARR, M.A. Vicar of this Church,
22 years, and sometime Vicar of
Finborrough Magna: who departed this
Life the 13th of March, 1709;
In the 58th year of his Age.
Also SUSANN his Wife who died the
27th of April, 1688.
And two of their Children, viz:
Robert died Oct: 29th 1691, Ag[d] 4 years.
Sarah died April 13th 1696, Agd. 11 years.
Here also lieth MARY his second wife,
who died Augst the 11th 1714.
In duty to the Deceased this Stone is
affixed by his SON WILLIAM FARR, of
the City of Norwich, School Master.
Above the inscription, in a circle, is an intricate monogram – SF twice.
No. XXIX
Monumental Slab, inscription worn away, lying first W. of No. XXVIII.
No. XXX.
Monumental Slab, inscription worn away, lying on floor of S. Porch.
Section F
Monuments in the Tyrell Chapel.
According to a nineteenth-century manuscript now in the possession of H.A. Oakes, Esq.,
“The east end of the [north] aisle was divided off by a screen of wood from the west,
and the two arches opening from it into the chancel [nave] were filled up, one with a
screen of wood, the other with an altar-tomb.” The etching of the “Interior of
Stowmarket Church” facing p.78 of Hollingsworth’s History (published 1844) shows the
wooden screen in the second arch from the east end of the north aisle. During the latter
half of the nineteenth century “restorations” took place, and many interesting objects
disappeared from the Church, including this “beautifully carved screen” (Hollingsworth,
foot-note at p. 125). It is said to have been removed to Mendlesham Church! This
enclosure at the east end of the north aisle was for centuries the burial place of the
ancient knightly family of Tyrell, and may fitly be called the Tyrell Chapel. The Tyrells
owned Gipping Hall about 450 years, being a branch of the family of Tyrell of Essex, and
played a prominent part in the history of the country as well as of their county – see
Shakespeare’s Richard III., Foxe’s Book of Martyrs, Hollingsworth, & c. The last of the
family, Lieut. -Col. Walter Robert Tyrell, of Plashwood, Haughley, died 23rd June, 1891,
aged 80. It was probably he who caused the mural monuments in the Tyrell chapel to
be re-painted and re-gilded. The greater part of the east wall of this Chapel was formerly
occupied by a large “perpendicular” window, which, when the present choir-vestry was
built, was replaced by an archway. The Tyrell monuments, the most interesting in the
Church, will be described in future issues.
No XXXI.
On the N. wall is a monument of marble and alabaster, painted and gilded. Its cornice is
supported on pilasters, quaintly ornamented with emblems of death and of war (“the
whole armour of God”), and having a lion’s head at the top of each. Down their fronts
hang ribbons and tasselled cords to which are attached the emblems, arranged saltierwise with bunches of flowers, fruit, and leaves. The objects on the dexter side are: two
torches; two crutches, a book, and a scrip or wallet; a pickaxe and shovel. Those on the
sinister side are: a battleaxe and spear; a helmet and two arrows; two bows. It
commemorates Margaret English, daughter of Sir John Tyrell of Gipping, by Elizabeth,
daughter of Sir John Monday, Lord Mayor of London, and the artist has fashioned in
miniature her figure facing those of a group of relatives. She wears black gown, white
ruff, and black bonnet with white coif and a long black veil hanging down behind, and
kneels on a cushion at a lectern or reading-desk, covered with a green cloth fringed with
gold, and having an open book on each of its two sloping sides. On the other side kneel
her brother Thomas Tyrell, his wife Mary, their six sons – Thomas, John, George,
Vincent, James, and Charles – and their four daughters – Elizabeth, Mary, Frances, and
Judith. Thomas Tyrell is in armour with a ruff; he is bearded, and his head is
uncovered. His wife and family are all in black; the daughters have no veils to their
bonnets; the sons, who are all bearded, wear cloaks, ruffs (one has a collar instead),
doublets, and trunk hose, and carry swords. The sable gloom of this kneeling group is
slightly relieved by the red, green, and blue of their cushions, corded and tasselled with
gold. In two panels at the base of the monument is the following inscription:
TO THE MEMORYE OF MARGARET ENGLISH OF
THE CITYE OF WESTMINSTER IN THE COVNTIE
OF
IR
MIDD ONE OF THE DAVGHTERS OFS IOHN
TIRRELL
KNIGHT AND OF HER LOVINGE BROTHER AND
SIS
TER THOMAS AND MARY TIRRELL WITH THEIR 6
ET
SONNES AND 4 DAVGHTERS THE WHICH
MARGAR
IN TESTIFICATION OF HER LOVE AND
BOVNTIFVLL
DISPOSITION TO THE POORE PEOPLE OF THE
TOWN
OF STOWE MARKET & GYPPINGE HAMLET OF
THE
SAMNE HATH GIVEN ONE HVNDRED POVNDS
FOR
TIE
THE PVRCHAS OF A YERELY ANNVITIE OF
TWEN
NOBLES FOR EVER THE RELIEFE OF THE SAME
PORE
& HATH CAVSED THIS MONVMENT TO BE
ERECTED
IN THIS CHVRCH OF STOWEMARKET
AFORESAID
THE XX DAYE OF OCTOBER ANO DOM 1604
The monument having evidently been erected during the lifetime of Margaret English and
her relations, the miniature figures are probably more or less actual portraits of them. A
noble or rial was a gold coin worth 6s. 8d.
Above the kneeling group are two shields, each surmounted by a golden-winged
cherub and a ring, from which hang golden ribbons. That on the dexter side bears Barry
of six argent and sable (English), and the other has Argent two chevrons azure within a
bordure engrailed gules (Tyrell). Above the cornice there used to be the coat-of-arms
which is now wrongly placed on the top of the large painted Tyrell monument (No. xxxiii)
on the E. wall of this chapel. It bears: Quarterly of four – 1, Tyrell with a martlet sable
for difference; 2, Paly of six argent and sable (Burgate); 3, Gules on a chevron
engrailed argent three dolphins vert (Flambert); 4, Argent a cross between four
escallops sable(Coggeshall). Crest – out of the mouth of a boar’s head erect argent a
peacock’s tail proper.
No. XXXII
This is the only “brass” now remaining in the Church. It is of local workmanship. It lay
formerly on the floor of the Tyrell Chapel, but about 1893 it was taken up and nailed to
the E. wall, below the monument dated 1641 (see No. xxxiii). Fortunately, its original
slab with the two “matrix” still remains on the floor, opposite Margaret English’s
monument. It consists of two parts. The upper part, 193/4 inches in length, represents a
child wrapped up in a shroud, and has the following inscription:
ANN – TYRELL
DYED 1638 AGED 8
YEARES & 6 MONETHS
The lower part measures 20 by 22 inches, and is inscribed with the following lines:
DEARE VIRGINE-CHILD FAREWELL THY MOTHERS TEARES
CANNOT ADVANCE THY MEMORY, WCH BEARES
A CROWNE ABOVE THE STARRES: YET I MUST MOVRNE,
AND SHEW THE WORLD MY OFFRINGS AT THINE VRNE.
AND, YET, NOT MEERLY, AS A MOTHER, MAKE
THIS SAD OBLATION FOR A CHILDS DEARE SAKE:
FOR (READERS) KNOW, SHEE WAS MORE, THEN* A CHILD,
IN INFANT-AGE SHEE WAS AS GRAVE AS MILD,
ALL, THAT, IN CHILDREN, DVTY CALL’D MIGHT BE,
IN HER, WAS FRENDSHIP AND TRWE PIETIE.
BY REASON AND RELIGION SHEE AT SEAVEN,
PREPAR’D HERSELFE & FOVND HER WAY TO HEAVEN.
HIGH HEAVEN THOV HAST HER & DIDST TAKE HER HENCE
THE PERFECT PATTERNE OF OBEDIENCE,
AT THOSE FEW YEARES, AS ONELY LENT TO SHOW,
WHAT DVTY YOVNG ONES TO THEIR PARENTS OWE,
AND (BY HER EARLY GRAVITY, APPEARING
FVLL RIPE FOR GOD, BY SERVING & BY FEARING)
TO TEACH THE OLD, TO FIXE ON HIM THEIR TRVST,
BEFORE THEIR BODIES SHALL RETVRNE TO DVST.
* For Than
No. XXXIII
This monument is on the E. wall, just above No. xxxii (see October, 1904). For
convenience’ sake, its long inscription is given here first. It runs as follows:IVXTA HVNC LOCVM SEPVLTVM IACET CORPVS DNAE DOROTHEAE FORTH FILIAE
PRIMOGENITAE, AC VNIVS COHAEREDVM IOHANNIS GILBERT DE FINBOROVGH MAGNA
IN COMITATV SVFF: EQVITIS AVRATI, QVAE IN PRIMIS NVPTIJS DE=SPONSATA
FVIT GVLIEMO FORTH, EQVITI AVRATO, IN SECVNDIS
VERO GRASSAMO PERKINS ARMIGERO; EX QVIBVS NVMEROSAM HABVIT
PROLEM: DEMVM GVLIELMO TYRELL DE ABBATIA DE BVRY STI EDMVNDI, ARMIGERO,
FILIO NATV SECVNDO THOMAE TYRELL DE GIPPING, ARMIGERI, NVPER DEFVNCTI QVI
EX EA SVSCE=PIT HOS TRES LIBEROS IN VSVM DOMINI IMMATVRE DECERPTOS
OBIJT AO; DNI: 1641. DIE 19NO MENSIS APRILIS AETATIS SVAE 53.
QVID SPECTAS? MORTEM? MIRARIS SYMBOLVM AMORIS?
VXOR VT EST VIVO MORTVA IVNTCA VERO,
HEV! BONA SANCTA FVIT, NON A BONITATE RECEDAM,
NEC SANCTIS, DOMINVS VIVERE ME DET EIS.
PIGNORA SVB PALMIS QVAE CERNIS CHARA IACERE.
MORS EA SYRRIPVT, VAE MIHI SOLVS EPO
TE SEQVOR, O CONIVX, SEQVOR, O TENERIQVE PVELLI
NON ERIT EFFIGIES MARMORE VANA MEO.
This inscription is printed as it now appears. There are parishioners still living who can
recollect its being re-gilded. I would suggest that the following errors were then made
by the workman_- in line 2 of the verses, VT should be AT, and VERO should be VIRO; in
line 6, EPO should be ERO.
It may be translated as follows:- Near this place lies buried the body of Dame
Dorothy Forth, eldest daughter and co-heiress of John Gilbert of Great Finborough in the
County of Suffolk, Knight, who was married, first to William Forth, Knight, secondly to
Gresham Perkins, Esquire - by both of whom she had a numerous issue - last of all to
William Tyrell of the Abbey of Bury St. Edmunds, Esquire, second son of the late Thomas
Tyrell of Gipping, Esquire, who by her had then three children, who, for the use of God,
were taken away before their time. She died A.D. 1641, on the nineteenth day of April,
in the fifty-third year of her age.
And the verses thus:- What dost thou behold? Death? Dost thou admire [this]
token of love? But it is a dead wife joined to a living husband. Alas! she was good [and]
pious. May I not depart from goodness nor piety! May God permit me to live in
them! The dear children (pledges) that thou seest lying below our hands – death stole
them away privily. Woe to me, I shall be alone! I follow thee, O wife, and I follow O
tender children. There will be no monument to me in vain marble.
I regret that, this being the eve of my departure from England, I have no time to
describe this monument minutely. I will describe its chief points, beginning at the top.
The shield now at the top belongs to No. xxxi (see October, 1904). Formerly
there was a larger shield with the arms of the Tyrell family and eight quarterings, but it
has disappeared. Next come the words:
MEMORIAESACRUM
-Sacred to the memory of. Then the motto:
Sumus, fuimus, erimus
-We are, we were, we shall be. Then comes an heraldic shield: Argent two chevrons
azure within a bordure engrailed gules, on a martlet table a crescent or for difference
(Tyrell) impaling azure a chevron engrailed ermine between three eagles displayed or
(Gilbert). Then the half-length figures of William Tyrell and his wife Dame Dorothy
Forth, dressed in the costume of the time of Charles I. Then the figures of their three
children, Mary, Penelope, and “o”. Probably the third died unnamed. Then follows the
inscription given in our January number.
No. XXXIV
This is a tablet on the E. wall with the following inscription:Near this Place
are interred
the Remains of the late
EDMUND TYRELL Esqr.
of Gipping Hall,
who died in a deep Decline,
on the 30th of March 1799,
in the 54th Year of his Age.
No. XXXV
I have left till almost last the most ancient monument in our Church,
namely, that which occupies the archway on the S. side of this Chapel. In his History of
Stowmarket, Mr, Hollingsworth calls it the “Abbot’s Tomb” and this is still its usual
appellation. I would, however, venture to point out that the matrices or moulds on the
flat top of the tomb are the figures of a lady surrounded by her thirteen
children. Enough remains to show that she wore the peculiar style of head-dress in
vogue at the end of the fifteenth century, and her daughters are similarly attired. Above
her head were three heraldic shields; on her right (S. side of tomb) were the figures of
five sons, and on her left (N. side of tomb) and at her feet were those of eight
daughters. At a first glance, you see only seven daughters, but there is an eighth figure,
smaller that the others, placed just above and behind the daughter at the top of the row
(N.W. corner). The style of architecture of this tomb and its arch is about 1480 – 90.
The first Tyrell who lived at Gipping Hall was William, third son of Sir John Tyrell,
Treasurer of the Household to Henry VI (reigned 1422-61). This William married
Margaret, daughter of the Robert Darcy of Maldon, Essex, who died in 1449. William
and Margaret Tyrell had thirteen children, five sons (Sir James, Sir Thomas, Edward,
John, and John) and eight daughters (Alianor, Anne, Margaret, Dorothy, Alice, Margery,
Elizabeth and Mary). This list exactly corresponds with the figures on the tomb, and it
seems highly probable that the “Abbot” is really Margaret (nee Darcy), wife of the first
Tyrell of Gipping, with her thirteen children all around her. This monument is rather
over 400 years old.
Manuscripts in the British Museum show that this tomb has long been
unidentified. For instance, at fo. 199d at Add. Ms. 19106, the following extract is copied
from an old manuscript relating to Suffolk families: “There is between the Isle that
belongs to the family of Tirrell and Sir John Poley’s Pewe, a very faire anciente tombe,
but I cannot learne from any man for whom it was.”