St Mary's, Swanage

Monumental Inscriptions

Survey made by Martin Ayres and Richard Wiltshire

 

In 1847 a transcription was made of the monuments at Swanage parish church. This was later pasted into Volume 8 of A. M. Broadley's Extra Illustrated edition of Hutchins' History and Antiquities of the County of Dorset. Since this time the church and churchyard have seen major alterations. Furthermore, additional burials were made in the churchyard (until its closure to new burials on the opening of Northbrook Cemetery in 1856) and new inscriptions added. No detailed survey has been made of the monumental inscriptions which now survive.

The following survey has been made in conjunction with the earlier transcript and the burial registers and aims to record exactly what appears on each monument. Each monument has been numbered and mapped so that they can be easily located.

 

Contents

1. Crypt and church - Crypt transcribed 27 November 2004 by kind permission of the verger, church transcribed September 2005.

2. Churchyard - transcribed 27 November 2004. Please note that locations have changed since this survey was completed - work; was completed in 2005 on improving access to the church entrance which affected stones around the area numbered 47-49 (flat stones now obliterated by the new paving covering) and 60-67 along the boundary.

3. Upper Churchyard, Church Hill (consecrated 12 October 1826) - transcribed 21 December 2003
 


 

1. Saint Mary's Church and Crypt

Crypt

 

1.
 Raised flat tomb (situated back right from the entrance): partially obscured by wall

In Memory of

MARY wife of THOMAS RANDELL,
who departed this life
October 18th 1766 aged 65 Years

Also

THOMAS RANDELL their Son
who died August 31 1776
aged 44 Years.
A Husband kind. A father dear
A faithful friend, lies buried here
My days are past my glass is run
My Children dear prepare to come

Also

…EMIMA DAUGHTER of THOMAS And MARY
…DELL And GRANDAUGHTER of the Above
…OMAS RANDELL who died Dec.12th 1817 Aged 18 YEARS

Also

...AMES her Brother who died April 4th 1832. Aged 36 Years
…lso MARY RANDELL wife of THOS RANDELL and Mother
…f the above mentioned Jemima and James RANDELL
Who died JANY 3 1841 Aged 75 Years

Also

THOMAS RANDELL son of the last mentioned …
...HOMAS RANDELL husband of MARY. and father
…JEMIMA and JAMES RANDELL,
who died November 29th 1848, Aged 84 Years.

Also

of MARY BROWN RANDELL DAUGHTER OF
THE ABOVE THOMAS AND MARY RANDELL
WHO DIED JANUARY 31st 1855 AGED 54 YEARS

 

 

2.
 Crypt: Tablet leaning against the north wall. Depicts urn with shroud

SACRED
TO THE MEMORY OF
JOHN HARVEY
MASTER MARINER
WHO DEPARTED THIS LIFE
ON THE 1ST OF JANUARY,1843
AGED 39 YEARS
He was an affectionate husband
a tender father and a sincere friend

ALSO of

ELIZABETH VICTORIA DAUGHTER OF
THE ABOVE WHO DIED FEBRUARY 8TH 1847
AGED 5 YEARS
Her happy spirit shall arise
And dwell with Jesus in the skies

 

North Aisle

In Floor

3.

Here lyeth the Body of
THOMAS CHAPMAN
who died ye … Ja…
1711
in the 63rd year of …

 

4.

Here Lieth the Body
of JOAN the Wife
of Thomas Chapman
who died ye 26th of June
1727 Aged 80 Years

 

On Wall

5.

SACRED TO THE MEMORY OF
PETER MARSH
LATE OF THIS PLACE MERCHANT
WHO DIED APRIL 10TH 1811
AGED 45 YEARS

ALSO HESTER MARSH WIFE OF
THE ABOVE WHO WAS BORN
JANUARY 15TH 1757 AND DIED OCT 6TH 1845

 

6.

LEWIS COCKRAM
JOHN ALFORD
CHURCHWARDENS
NOVEMBER 28 1684

 

7.

THIS MEMORIAL IS RAISED TO
NATHAN CHINCHEN
A NAME WELL KNOWN IN THIS VICINITY
IN HIS GENERATION
HE WAS THE FITTED INSTRUMENT
IN THE HANDS OF A MERCIFUL GOD, TO DISPENSE
BLESSINGS TO THE WIDOW AND TO THE FATHERLESS
AND TO THEIR CHILDRENS CHILDREN.
HE WAS EXCELLENT IN ALL THE RICH ENDOWMENTS
OF A NOBLE AND GENEROUS HEART

ON THE 16TH MAY 1840, IN THE 85TH YEAR OF HIS AGE
HE CLOSED A LIFE DEDICATED TO ALL THE VIRTUES
AND VALUABLE TO AN EXTENSIVE COMMUNITY
DERIVING A BENEFIT FROM HIS TOILS.

HIS BELOVED REMAINS ARE DEPOSITED
IN A VAULT IN THE BURYING GROUND ADJACENT
WHERE HE WAS PLANTED IN THE SURE AND CERTAIN HOPE
THAT WHEN THOSE
THAT SLEEP IN THE DUST OF THE EARTH SHALL AWAKE
HE WILL RISE CLOATHED IN HIS REDEEMERS RIGHTEOUSNESS
TO EVER LASTING LIFE

 

 

8.
 (Brass Plate)

SUSAN COCKRAM WIFE OF
BRUNE COCKRAM PARSON
OF SANWCH, OF THE AGE
OF 44 YEARES INTERRED
SEPTEMBER THE 7TH 1641

 

On partition of St. Aldhelm's Chapel:

THIS CHAPEL WAS DEDICATED TO ST ALDHELM
BY THE LORD BISHOP OF SALISBURY ON MAY 25TH 1971
TO PERPETUATE THE ASSOCIATION OF THIS SAINT WITH THE CHURCH
WHICH STOOD IN GROSVENOR ROAD DURLSTON FROM 1892-1970

THIS WINDOW TAKEN FROM ST ALDHELM'S CHURCH
COMMEMORATES THE OLD BOYS
OF DURLSTON COURT SCHOOL
WHO WERE KILLED IN THE
WORLD WAR 1914-1918


St. Aldhelm's Chapel:

9.
South-west window dedicated to:

PRAY FOR FRANCIS ARTHUR PARRISH 1894 -1970
DEAR HUSBAND OF MARY AND FATHER OF SHEILA
for many years printer of this town

 

10. 
Tablet set on west wall:

IN HAPPY AND GRATEFUL MEMORY OF
MADELEINE BRADY
FOR TWENTY YEARS BELOVED HEAD OF
SENTRYFIELDS, 1917-1937
"We Thank Our God For Every
Remembrance of Her"

 

11. 
North-west window dedicated to:

JOHN MORTON COLSON
DIED JULY 9 1866 AGED 69
JULIA COLSON
DIED NOVEMBER 13 1865 AGED 70

 

12.
Brass plaque on north wall, in north-west Corner:

IN PROUD MEMORY
OF
CAPTAIN G.H. ATKINSON
45th RATTRAY'S SIKHS
KILLED IN ACTION IN MESOPOTAMIA
1ST FEBRUARY 1917
ERECTED BY HIS BROTHER OFFICERS

 

13.
Marble plaque below the above:

IN LOVING AND GRATEFUL MEMORY OF
GEORGE THOMAS ATKINSON
FOUNDER AND HEAD OF DURLSTON COURT
FROM 1903 TO 1928
WHO DIED DECEMBER 15 1938 AGED 83
THIS TABLET IS ERECTED BY OLD BOYS
PARENTS AND FRIENDS

 EDITH JESSIE ATKINSON
WIFE OF THE ABOVE
IN EVER LOVING MEMORY

 

14.
Western half of window to west of north entrance dedicated to:

TO THE GLORY OF GOD AND IN LOVING MEMORY OF
LIEUTENANT BASIL JAMES CARLISLE WISE ROYAL
NAVY KILLED IN ACTION HMS GLORIOUS
8TH JUNE 1940 ALSO OF HIS BROTHER BRIGADIER
ADRIAN WATSON WISE
D.S.O. M.B.E. 13.10.1980

 

15.
Eastern half of window to west of north entrance dedicated to:

IN MEMORIAM
GRANT WALTER STEWARD DE JERSEY
BELOVED PHYSICIAN
1901-1972
AND ALESIA HIS DAUGHTER 1934-1971

 

16.
Tablet above north entrance:

SACRED TO THE MEMORY OF
GEORGE BISSETT ESQR
Commander in the Royal Navy
Eldest Son of the late
 ANDW BISSETT ESQR Solicitor Edinborough,
who departed this life 21st Novr 1843
AGED 53 YEARS
Sincerely lamented by his Family
and a large circle of Naval Friends

 

17.
Window to east of north entrance dedicated to:

WILLIAM MORTON GREY PITT; HIS WIFE GRACE AMELIA

HIS SON WMG PITT; HIS ELDEST DAUGHTER HARRIETT MARCIA MARGARET

IN MOST LOVING MEMORY OF THE ABOVE
LOUISA LORA PITT

 

Sanctuary

North wall

18.

TO
THE MEMORY OF
THE REVD JAMES LEONARD JACKSON MA
OF SIDNEY SUSSEX COLLEGE
CAMBRIDGE
LATE RECTOR OF SWANAGE
BORN MAY 9TH 1777,
DIED AT MELCOMBE REGIS
DECR 10TH 1854, AGED 77 YEARS
BURIED AT RADIPOLE, NEAR WEYMOUTH

ALSO OF

LOUISA DECIMA HYDE JACKSON,
DAUGHTER OF
REVD FRANCIS WOLLASTON
CHISEL HURST, KENT
WIFE OF THE REVD J.L. JACKSON
BORN DECR 6TH 1778,
DIED AT MELCOMBE REGIS
MARCH 17TH 1854.
AND THIS IS THE RECORD, THAT GOD
HATH GIVEN TO US ETERNAL LIFE, AND
THIS LIFE IS IN HIS SON.
1 JOHN, CHAP. V. V.11

 

South wall

19

A GRATEFUL TRIBUTE
TO THE MEMORY OF
THE LATE REV SAM GALE M.A.
NINE YEARS RECTOR OF SWANAGE
WHO WAS BORN AT SCRUTON IN YORKSHIRE
AND DIED SEP 16 1816
AGED 69 YEARS
HIS REMAINS WERE INTERRED
IN STUDLAND CHURCH YARD, AT HIS OWN REQUEST

THIS TABLET WAS ERECTED BY
SUSANNA DUDLEY, HIS ADOPTED CHILD
THE SWEET REMEMBRANCE OF THE JUST
SHALL FLOURISH WHEN THEY SLEEP IN DUST

 

Chancel
South wall

20.

SACRED TO THE MEMORY OF THE
REVEREND GEORGE TAYLOR M.A.
LATE OF EXETER COLLEGE OXFORD AND
CURATE OF LANGTON MATRAVERS
WHO DEPARTED THIS LIFE ON THE SEVENTH
DAY OF JULY 1834 AGED 26 YEARS.

THIS TABLET IS PLACED OVER HIS
REMAINS BY HIS BROTHER AS A MEMORIAL
OF AFFECTION, OF ESTEEM FOR
THE MANLY VIRTUES OF HIS CHARACTER,
AND OF REGRET FOR THE LOSS OF A FRIEND
WHOSE AMIABLE DISPOSITION AND KINDNESS
OF HEART ARE ATTESTED BY THE FOND
RECOLLECTIONS OF HIS FAMILY AND OF THOSE
TO WHOSE INTERESTS HIS SHORT BUT
FAITHFUL MINISTRY WAS DEVOTED.

 

21.

IN THE VAULT BENEATH
ARE DEPOSITED THE MORTAL REMAINS OF
THE REVEREND WILLIAM TAYLOR
A NATIVE OF ST CHRISTOPHERS IN THE WEST INDIES
AND FOR MANY YEARS
RECTOR OF THE PARISH CHURCH OF ST ANTHONY
IN HIS MAJESTY'S ISLAND OF MONTSERRAT
HE DEPARTED THIS LIFE ON THE 28TH DAY OF MAY 1823
IN THE 78TH YEAR OF HIS AGE

HIS WIDOW AND CHILDREN
HOPING TO PRESERVE THE MEMORY OF HIM THEY SO MUCH LOVED
BEYOND THE TERM OF THEIR OWN FRAIL EXISTENCE
HAVE ERECTED THIS TABLET IN TESTIMONY OF
THEIR AFFECTION, AND OF HIS SUPERIOR WORTH

 

22.
 (Metal Plaque)

IN LOVING MEMORY OF
ANNIE AND EMMA RUST BURT
DAUGHTERS OF GEORGE AND ELIZABETH BURT
OF PURBECK HOUSE, SWANAGE

THIS TABLET IS ERECTED BY THEIR
NEPHEWS AND NIECES AS A TOKEN OF
THEIR GREAT LOVE AND RESPECT, A.D. 1920

 

23.
 (Brass plaque under south window)

This window is dedicated by their children
to the memory of Rear Admiral Sir Eaton S. Travers K.H.
who died on the 14th March 1858 Aged 80

and of Anne Palmer his Wife
who died on the 8th August 1864 aged 72

 

24.
(a) to (d) - Four marble plaques on south wall
(a)

SACRED
TO THE MEMORY OF
MRS COVENTRY OF THE GROVE SWANAGE
THE MOTHER OF THE THREE CHILDREN WHOSE DEATHS ARE RECORDED UNDERNEATH
SHE FELL ASLEEP AT SWANAGE WHERE SHE HAS DESIRED ON THE 30TH SEPR 1865
IN THE 70TH YEAR OF HER AGE
IN PEACE AND IN FULL ADDURANCE OF HOPE OF A GLORIOUS RESURRECTION
SHE RESTS IN A VAULT IN THE ADJOINING BURIAL GROUND, BY THE SIDE OF
ONE OF HER DEARLY LOVED CHILDREN

"I KNOW, O LORD, THAT THY JUDGEMENTS ARE RIGHT, AND THAT THOU IN
FAITHFULNESS HAST AFFLICTED ME"
PSALM  - 119 - 75.

IN ALL THEIR AFFLICTIONS HE WAS AFFLICTED, AND THE ANGEL OF HIS
PRESENCE SAVED THEM, IN HIS LOVE AND IN HIS PITY HE RECLAIMED THEM
AND HE BARE THEM, AND CARRIED THEM AS IN THE DAYS OF OLD
18A - 63 - 9

THE LORD HATH LAID ON HIM THE INIQUITY OF US ALL
18A - 53 - 6

 

(b)

THIS TABLET IS ERECTED
AS THE LAST TOKEN OF A BEREAVED MOTHER'S AFFECTION

TO THE MEMORY OF
LOUISA CAROLINE JOSEPHINE COVENTRY
DAUGHTER OF MRS COVENTRY OF THE GROVE IN THIS PARISH

SHE WAS NOT OF THIS WORLD, AND IT PLEASED HER HEAVENLY FATHER
TO REMOVE HER ANGEL SPIRIT FROM IT MAY THE 3RD 1841
IN THE EIGHTEENTH YEAR OF HER AGE
THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT MARKED HER SHORT BUT HEAVENWORD COURSE
"LOVE, JOY, PEACE, LONG SUFFERING, GENTLENESS GOODNESS, FAITH
MEEKNESS, TEMPERANCE."         GALT 22.23

THE LORD GAVE, AND THE LORD HATH TAKEN AWAY
BLESSED BE THE NAME OF THE LORD." JOB 1.21

 

(c)

THIS SECOND MEMORIAL OF A SORROWING MOTHER'S AFFECTION
RECORDS THE DEATH OF ANOTHER MUCH LOVED CHILD
HER ELDEST BORN
CAPTAIN FREDERICK COVENTRY OF HER MAJESTY'S 29TH REGIMENT
THE LIFE OF THIS MOST AMIABLE AND PROMISING YOUNG OFFICER
WAS SPARED IN THE BATTLE FIELD AT SOBRAON
BUT HE FELL A VICTIM TO THE CLIMATE OF INDIA AND DIED
AT KUSSOWLIE IN UPPER INDIA ON THE 29TH OF JULY 1846
IN THE 26TH YEAR OF HIS AGE
HIS REMAINS LIE DEPOSITED IN THE BURIAL GROUND AT KUSSOWLIE
I SHALL GO TO HIM, BUT HE SHALL NOT RETURN TO ME.
2 SAMUEL XII 23 (?)

 

(d)

A FEW SHORT YEARS,
AND THE SAME BEREAVED MOTHER'S UNDYING AFFECTION
HERE RECORDS THE DEPARTURE OF ANOTHER MUCH LOVED CHILD
MATILDA BARBARA WIFE OF THE REVD T.G. CLARKE
VICAR OF ODIHAM, HANTS
SHE DIED MAY 26TH 1862 IN THE 38TH YEAR OF HER AGE

"BLESSED ARE THE DEAD WHICH DIE IN THE LORD
FROM HENCEFORTH YEA SAITH THE SPIRIT, THAT THEY
MAY REST FROM THEIR LABOURS, AND THEIR WORKS DO
FOLLOW THEM"
REV 14 CHAP 13 VERSE

NOW JESUS LOVED MARTHA AND HER SISTER AND LAZARUS
JOHN 11 CHAP 5 VERSE
 

 

25.
 (Tile Plaque)

TO THE GLORY OF GOD
AND IN EVER LOVING
MEMORY OF ROLF VINEY
COMMANDER ROYAL NAVY
WHO DIED 22 APRIL 1922
AGED 37 YEARS
BLESSED ARE THE PURE IN HEART
DEATH IS THE GATE OF LIFE

 

26.
 (Tile Plaque)

TO THE GLORY OF GOD
AND IN EVER LOVING MEMORY
OF PHILIP ERNEST VINEY
CAPTN LEICESTERSHIRE REGT
WHO DIED FOR ENGLAND AT
BAILLEUL 17 DEC 1914 AGED 26
TO LIVE IS CHRIST TO DIE IS GAIN
DEATH IS THE GATE OF LIFE.

 

27.
 (Tile Plaque)

IN EVER LOVING MEMORY OF
J. ERNEST VINEY M.D.; M.A.; WHO
DIED 6 JUNE 1930 AT "CINTRA"
SWANAGE AGED 75 ALSO OF
GRACE THOMPSON HIS SECOND
DAUGHTER WHO DIED 31 DEC 1929
IN ALASSIO ITALY AGED 43
IN THY PRESENCE IS FULNESS OF JOY
DEATH IS THE GATE OF LIFE