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This article is about the wall memorials (Mural Monuments) and Plaques within St Lawrence Parish Church itself. The memorials were cleaned in 2007-08 at a cost of £35,000.
Separate articles list details of:
- the Monumental Inscriptions on the many tombs in St Lawrence churchyard, and
- the Stained Glass Windows in the church.
This article lists the memorials according to their position in church, starting at the site of the Hungerford Effigy (of Robert de Hungerford), and the Indulgence Tablet.
Photo Gallery:
Henry Cundell's grave in the background, with what is presumed to be the foundations of the house. My husband and Miss Buys (with stick). Unknown donor. Undated.
Henry Cundell's grave, showing the original stones that marked it. Unknow donor. Unknown date.
Henry Cundell's grave on Barton Farm, now Geluksrus, near Durban. Unknown donor. Unknown date.
Each memorial is shown, and extras include:
- Henry Cundell's grave in the background, with what is presumed to be the foundations of the house. My husband and Miss Buys (with stick). Unknown donor. Undated.
- Henry Cundell's grave, showing the original stones that marked it. Unknow donor. Unknown date.
- Henry Cundell's grave on Barton Farm, now Geluksrus, near Durban. Unknown donor. Unknown date.
Some old - some new:
When the medieval church fell in the early 1810s, some of the memorials were put aside and re-erected in the new church. Several of the Hungerford family were removed to Salisbury Cathedral. The present St Lawrence Church therefore includes memorials from the old Chantries, and the old church as well as new ones from post 1814.
The Indulgence Tablet
On the north wall, opposite the main entrance door:
A 550 day indulgence for those who pray for Sir Robert de Hungerford. There is much more under Indulgence Tablet.
Sir Robert de Hungerford, who died c1350
Robert de Hungerford died c1350. There is much more about this under Hungerford Effigy.
William & Ann Cheyney, 1762:
(On the north wall, to east of Children’s Corner, above the Hungerford effigy, top memorial).
William and Anne Cheyney were killed in their own home, probably 114 High Street, 11 Dec 1762. Fiollow this for more on the Murder of William and Anne Cheyney.
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Near this Place rest the Remains of Learn hence, Reader, to reverence
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The War Shrine:
The shrine to the Hungerford men killed on active service in the two World Wars. There are 60 names of the 76 names from the First World War on the Bridge Street War Memorial, and 24 names from the Second World War (of the 27 on the Bridge Street War Memorial). Follow this for more on War Memorials.
Window: The Raising of Jairus’s Daughter, Luke 8. 40-56.
Richard Richens, 1917:
(Under window):
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In Loving Memory of "Faithful unto Death" |
Rev Thomas Baker, 1765:
(Top): Rev Thomas Baker, 1765. 28 years vicar of Hungerford. Also his wife and his sister-in-law.
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In the North Aisle lies
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George Church, 1797, widow Sarah 1819
(Middle):
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Near this place repose the Mortal Remails of He was a friendly, benevolent, and honest man. |
Mrs Helina Morgan, 1716
(Middle)
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In Memory of Also Robert Morgan |
The Crest above this memorial is not the correct one! It is actually of the Clarke family. The Crest of the Morgan family is over the Clarke memorial, put there by the workmen when the church was rebuilt in 1816, as the gallery prevented the Clarke crest from being placed in the correct position! (see Inventory book in vestry safe, page 124).
Burma Star Association. 1941-45.
(Bottom left)
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In When you go home |
The Light of the World
(Bottom right)
Window: The Transfiguration: Luke 9: 28-36
Edward Dugdale D’Oyley Astley, 1918
(Bottom left)
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To the Glory of God |
Henry Hungerford, 1673
(see below for his wife Sarah)
(Top)
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Within He lived a single, pious, and Imployed his time in the service Departed this life 23rd of May |
Eliza Lucas, 1804
(Bottom middle)
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Infra ELIZAE LUCAS. Jussu fratris moerentis, ut sciant defunctae amici |
Hilda DuCros, 1995
The board of remembrance:
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In Memory of |
Window: Three healing miracles: The leper (Matthew 8); Blind Bartameus (Luke 5) and the man through the roof (Mark 2).
Votive candle stand for Princess Diana and Mother Teresa, 1997.
James Hall, 1823 and Margaret Hall, 1848
(Corner north)
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To the Memory of Also of Margaret his widow, This tablet is erected as a tribute of affection |
Sarah Major, 1836 and her infant daughter Mary Ann, 1813
Thomas Major, 1843
Corner east:
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Sacred to the memory Also of Mary Ann, an infant daughter Also of Thomas Major, late Surgeon The remains of the above are interr'd |
The grave of Thomas Major was one of those removed when the south west part of the churchyard was cleared in 1973.
Window: Palm Sunday: Luke 19
The Stonehouses - Francis, 1758; Mary, 1776; George, 1777 and Francis, 1779
Top
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In Memory of Francis Stonehouse Esq, Also of Mary his wife, who after 18 years widowhood Also of George Stonehouse Esq, Also of Francis Stonehouse, Esq, |
This monument is dated 1779, by Charles Harris, of The Strand, London. Little is known of Charles Harris's early life or where he was a student. It is thought that his work has great charm in the best 18th century tradition, with lavish use of coloured marbles and reliefs. (From the Dictionary of British Sculptures).
Henry Cundell, 1864
(Bottom)
Henry Arthur Cundell was born in Parsonage Farm on 11 Nov 1840, the third son of Henry and Letitia Cundell. In 1863 he left for South Africa and went into partnership with Thomas William Lyne. Once there, he took up residence at Barton Farm, Moor River, Port Natal. (Port Natal is now Durban).
On his 24th birthday, there was a terrible thunderstorm, and he was killed by a thunderbolt in his house. Two friends and a servant who were with him were knocked unconcious.
See the Photo Gallery above for photos of his grave, and what is thought to be the remains of the farmhouse at Barton Farm, now Geluksrus, Durban.
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This tablet |
Betty Clark recorded the memorials in ST Lawrence Church for the HHA in the 1980s. She researched this memorial saying:
"I was intrigued - I have been to that part of South Africa and knew those terrible storms; I felt sure it was Mooi River not Moor. (Port Natal is now Durban).
I did a bit of detective work and finally wrote to Mrs. Shelagh Sp·ncer in Natal - Mrs. Spencer is in the process of writing a "Biographical Register of the British Settlers in Natal, 1824 - 1857". Although my enquiry was for 1864 she very kindly set about researching for me; I added my knowledge to hers and this is the story of poor Henry Arthur:- ·
Henry Arthur Cundell was born in Parsonage Farm on 11th November 1840 - the 3rd son of Henry & Letitia Cundell. He left for South Africa, presumably in 1863 and went into partnership with a Thomas William Lyne. He had paid two thirds of the money owing on the farm and would have taken full possession in January 1865.
Unfortunately, on November 11th 1864 there was a terrible thunderstorm and whilst sheltering in their farmhouse, Barton Farm, a 'thunderbolt came down the chimnney and killed Henry Arthur; two of his friends and a servant who was with him were knocked unconscious. According to the notice of his death in the Natal Courier his assets included land worth £89 - stock etc. £161 & £200 to the Natal Bank.
The whereabouts of his grave was not stated but Mrs. Spencer concluded that as the estate accounts mentioned £3.5 paid to a Mr. Brown for making the coffin he must have been buried on the farm. This is not an unusual thing when there is no church graveyard nearby and the bodies have to be buried quickly - and relatives were so far away. Henry senior and Letitia would not have had the news for several weeks.
Mrs. Spencer then found the location of the farm and very kindly went to see Mr. Buys, to whose family the farm has belonged since 1916. Mr. Buys was most interested and told her that there was an unmarked grave there and that he had been told by an old African that his Grandfather had told him that it was the grave of a white man who had been killed.by lightening. Mr. Buys also added that now he knew who it was he would fence it in properly."
See the photo of the grave in the Photo Gallery.
Pulpit:
Given by Elizabeth and Eleonora Lidderdae in 1891
Captain Francis Michell, 1866
Chancel, north, top:
| Sacred to the Memory of Capt Francis Michell, of Her Majesty's 41st Foot, Youngest son of the Late Rev'd T.P. Michell, of Standen Hussey, Hungerford, who died at Southampton on the 27th of Oct'r 1866, in his 29th year of Consumption on his return from India. He is buried in the Cemetry at Southampton. |
The Michells - Thomas, 1809; Elizabeth, 1856; Catherine, 1855 and Anna, 1869
Chancel, north, bottom
| To the Memory of Thomas Michell Esq, of Standen who died Nov 22nd 1809: in his 55th year. Also of And of Catherine, Also of Anna Maria Michell, |
Crest and shield: Four ships with crosses in chief (Patriarchal); 3 ships with crosses in base (patriarchal), divided by chevron. Crest: an arm bent immerging from a sleeve. A dagger clenched in the hand. Five drops of blood issuing. All surrounded by wreath of leaves and sprays of iris or lilies.
East window: The forgiving of Peter: John 21. 15-18. The five angels bear the text.
Window in memory of Rev Joseph Ball Anstice, 1894 for his 28 years service to the parish.
Christopher Michell, 1855
Chancel, south, top:
| Sacred to the Memory of Christopher Michell, Late Lietenant in Her Majesty's 49th Reg't of Foot, who died on the 14th of Sept 1855, of wounds received at the attack on the Redan at Sebastopol, on the 8th of the same month aged 19 years.He is buried in the Cemetry on Cathcarts Hill in the Crimea. |
Rev Thomas Michell, 1866; Rev T H Michell, 1890 and Arabella Michell, his wife, 1905
Chancel, south, middle:
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Sacred And of Also of Son and Daughter of the Above
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The Rev Thomas Hungerford Michell died following a fall from his horse. The Berkshire Chronicla of Sat 25 Oct 1890 reported: "The Rev T Hungerford Michell, of Bagshot House, Hungerford, a magistrate for Berks, was riding near Great Bedwyn on Tuesday night when he fell from his horse and suffered severe injuries. He was found lying insensible by the side of the road. He was taken to the house of Dr Durden. It was seen at once that the case was a serious one and the rev. gentleman still lies in a precarious condition." He died on 24th October.
Charles Fry, 1983
Chancel, south, bottom:
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In Memory of Charles Fry Faithfull Servant in this Church for Forty Years. |
This small brass plate on the south wall of the chancel was dedicated in Dec 1983 by Rev Graham Foulis Brown, curate during the incumbency of Rev Richard Kingsbury.
Charlotte Willes, 1807 and infant son Shippen Willes, 1796
Top:
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Sacred to the Memory Her Elegance of Manners, Purity of Mind, Here also is interred Shippen Willes an Infant, |
Monument made in 1807 by John Bacon, the younger, 1777-1859, son of John Bacon, RA, 1740-1799. John Bacon the youinger was never made RA. He went to the RA school where he won a silver medal, and in 1797 a gold medal for the Statue of Cassandra exhibited in the RA Exhibition. In 1818 he took over his father's pupil Samuel Manning, a monumental mason. The firm produced large numbers of dull and second-rate monuments and tablets. Most of the work being done in this partnership when Bacon had retired from the business. He traded on his father's name all his life, and died a rich man, realising that turning out memorial tablets was more lucrative than doing creative work on his own. (From Dictionary of British Scuplture 1660-1851).
Window: Our Lord in the Temple. Luke 1. 41-51.
Marianne Willes, 1809; Catherine, 1818; Charlotte, 1820
Corner, east, top:
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Near this Place rest the Remains of |
George Coe Willes, 1921
Corner, east, bottom:
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Near this Place rest the Remains of |
John Willes, 1837
Corner, south, top:
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Near this Place rest the Remains of |
Window: The Wedding at Cana: John 1. 7.
Percy Richens, 1918
Under window:
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Sacred to the Memory of The Path of the Just is as the Shining Light |
John Hungerford, d.1729 and Mary Hungerford, d.1739
Top:
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Here lies Here lies buried |
John Hungerford was the last Hungerford to own the local manor of Hungerford Engleford. He had bought the estate in 1724 from William Hungerford, but after his death in 1729 the estate was broken up and sold in 1742-43.
John Hungerford, of the Cadenham branch of the Hungerford family, was son of Walter Hungerford, grand-son of Sir George Hungerford. He was a barrister at Lincolns Inn, a Bencher, Counsel for The East India Company & Member of Parliament for Scarborough 1692-95 and 1702-05, He died on 8 Jan 1729, and was buried in St Lawrence’s Church Hungerford one week later.
He left £16,000, and his extensive library went to Kings College, Cambridge, where there is a monument in his memory.
There is a memorial in St Lawrence’s Church to his manservant, Henry “Trusty” Capps.
In 1736-37 John Hungerford’s widow, Mrs Mary Hungerford, donated a service of five silver pieces to the church in his memory - two flagons, a large chalice, a paten, and a bread-holder 1?? – 1??). She died in 1739.
Captain Maurice Hissey, 1916
Bottom left:
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In Loving Memory of "May light eternal shine on him" |
H le FFH, 1977; ELFH, 1943 and MH 1968 [Fairfax Harvey]
Bottom right:
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In Memoriam H le F F H E L F H M H |
Window: The Sermon on the Mount: Matthew 5.
The window in memory of Rev Joseph Ball Anstice, 1880
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A M D G |
The daughters of Samuel Whitelocke: Elizabeth, 1777; Neetie, 1781; Henrietta, 1797; Mary, 1802; Judith, 1807 and Mulso, 1812
Top:
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Near this Place rest the Remains of |
Olive Portia Waring-Smith, 1982
Bottom:
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Near this Place rest the Remains of |
Small window: St Osmond, St Lawrence and St Frideswide.
Ann Blackwell, 1891:
Left:
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In memory of Ann |
John Blackwell, 1840; Fanny 1840; Thomas Evans Blackwell, 1863
Right:
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In Memory of And of Fanny, his wife, They died at Hungerford, and |
John Blackwell was resident engineer on the Kennet and Avon between 1804 and his death in 1840. (Charles Dundas was, of course, Chief Engineer in overall charge of the building of the canal, along with many other major engineering projects around the country).
Local tradition that he had built Avenue House in The Croft 1823-25 as his family home is erroneous. It is now known that he lived in 12 Bridge Street later retiring to Westfield Cottage, Parsonage Lane, where he died. See Where did John Blackwell live in Hungerford?
On his death in 1840, after 34 years working for the Canal Company, the committee erected a tablet to his memory. This was placed on Prison bridge, at the top of the Caen Hill locks, Devizes, as this was regarded as his greatest work.
See also: "The Kennet & Avon Canal" by John Clew, pp 73,95 and 98.
Following John Blackwell's death, the resident engineer was Thomas Blackwell, perhaps his son, commemorated below:
| In Memory of Thomas Evans Blackwell Esq, C.E. Son of John and Fanny Blackwell, Late of Clifton, and of Montreal, Canada, Who died in London, June 25th 1863 Aged 43 years and was interred in the cemetry at Norwood. |
Neil Hardwick kindly emailed (Jun 2017) the following additional information on the Blackwells: "I have been doing some work on John and Thomas Evans Blackwell who feature on a memorial in the parish church. Things aren't necessarily what they seem!
The memorial states that Fanny was his wife. Not so, his real wife Mary outlived him in his home town, Devizes, by approximately 9 years having born him nine children between 1792 and 1810. Fanny came on the scene sometime between 1810 and 1814 when she gave birth to a daughter Harriett. A further daughter, Louisa was born in 1817 and Thomas Evans came along in 1819.
John Blackwell had owned a house in Maryport Street, Devizes since 1805. In 1823 he rents out a third of it to a Mr Philips.Not now wanting the space it could reasonably be assumed that it was around this date that the Avenue Cottage was either bought or completed. Again conjecture, but the reason that he moved to Hungerford could have been to allow his son to take advantage of the free grammar school located across the Church Croft. Certainly Thomas Evans was of above average intelligence as indicated by his successful career later in life. His father indicates that his son had been favoured because his will explicitly excludes him, stating that "he has been well provided for during my lifetime". Incidentally, after their father's death his daughters Eliza and Louisa kept on living in Avenue Cottage before returning to Devizes.
Two question that are unanswered: "how do we know that Avenue Cottage was built by John Blackwell?" and " how did John Blackwell come to meet the Rev Thomas Evans, his Godfather?" Any help in answering these would be much appreciated.
All the foregoing was discovered as part of a project to uncover the Blackwell's involvement in Claverton Pumping Station."
Wendy Rafkan contacted the Virtual Museum (via Facebook) June 2018, saying that the marriage of John Blackwell to Fanny "did take place - in Burbage 23 Aug 1808. There was a John Blackwell who married Ann Rogers in 1791 in Devizes, but the John Blackwell canal engineer would have been only 16 and possibly younger at that time, so a 1791 marriage is unlikely!". Wendy added "I wanted to clear his name -- the fact that the Vicar of Froxfield was his son Thomas Evans Blackwell's godfather also argues against the idea that John and Fanny Blackwell were "living in sin..."!
Henry “Trusty” Capps, 1774
In the vestry, south wall:
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To the Memory of |
Henry Capps was the "trusty" servant of John Hungerford, whose memorial is recorded above. Henry died in 1774, leaving his legacy to the poor of the Parish. In 1782 the £50 legacy was used to re-build the Grammar School.
Edmund Clark, 1709
In the vestry, west wall:
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In Memory of |
The Crest above this memorial is not the correct one! It is actually of the Morgan family. The Crest of the Clarke family is over the Morgan memorial, put there by the workmen when the church was rebuilt in 1816, as the gallery prevented the Clarke crest from being placed in the correct position! (see Inventory book in vestry safe, page 124).
Rev Joseph Wells, 1725; Sarah his wife, 1746; his son Thomas, 1749
West wall:
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Near this Place lie the Remains of And of Sarah his Wife, who And of Thomas their Son, who To the Memory of their |
The monument, dated 1751, is by John Hicks (1726-1768), possibly the son of Jonathan Hicks (1675-1743). John Hicks is buried in Speen, Berkshire, where his father Jonathan is also buried. The monument to his father in Speen (a Cartouche tablet) was possibly also made by John. Information from the "Dictionary of British Sculptures 1660-1851"
Plaque to victims of Hungerford Tragedy of 1987
On the vestry wall (church side), near the vestry door is a memorial to the 16 people who were tragically killed on 19th Aug 1987. Dedicated 11 Feb 1988.:
Follow this for more on the Hungerford Tragedy.
The Canal Wharf, 2011