Grave stones in the church and churchyard

MEMORIALS ON THE FLOOR OF THE CHURCH

The arrangement is alphabetical as regards the first person buried in the grave, with cross references to others. The position in the church is indicated by the following initials:

The actual spot where the stone will be found is indicated by a number which corresponds with a number on a plan of the church floor kept in the church. The numbering commences at the west end of the south aisle and is carried round the church and then up the centre aisle to the sanctuary floor. (fn. 1), (fn. 2)

Inscriptions on above:

1. Nicholas Orme.
Hic jacet Nicolaus Orme de Hospitio Lincolniensi Armiger, qui postquam annos 28 explevisset, 4 die Februari Ao Salutis mdcxxviii expiravit; et jam placide requiescit una cum utroque parentus [sic] duobus fratr-t-bus [sic] una sorore, et duobus sobrinis ex Thoma Gundrey, generoso oriundis, ac quod mortale in illis fuit, hoc in pulvere prius deposuerunt.
Hic jacet Nicolaus Gundrey ejusdem Thomæ filius generosus qui obiit III Dec. mdclxxv.
(In English:
Here lies Nicholas Orme, of Lincoln's Inn, Esq., who, after he had completed his 28th year, expired on the 4th day of February in the year of Salvation 1628, and now rests in peace together with both his parents, his two brothers, one sister and two cousins-german, by Thomas Gundrey, a gentleman born, all that was mortal of whom they had laid in this dust before him. (fn. 39)
Here lies Nicholas Gundrey son of the same Thomas, gentleman. Who died on the 3rd of December, 1675.)

2. William Payne.
Reader be sure make Christ your friend
Be always ready for time end I in my bloom was snatched away
Therefore repent make no delay.
Youth and health could not me save
From God's decree, learn from my grave.

3. Richard Porter.
On a large stone in the centre aisle is inscribed (considerably worn in parts):
Effare marmor
Quod præ dolore effari nequit conjux maestissima tibi pæne jam facta similis.
Hic jacet quod mori potuit
Rickardi Porter Armigeri ingentis spei brevis aevi juvenis, quem fatum heu nimis properans in vicesimo suæ ætatis [anno hinc sustulit
Condidit hos castos cineres. Mariti sui amantissimi Barbara Porter in eodem facta pariter felix ac infelix uxor nempe intra unius anni curriculum charissimi spousi Hymenæos et Nænias cecinit
Obiit 14 die Decembris anno
Dni 1669.
Above, p. 491.
Sub hoc Saxo pariter sitæ sunt exuviæ mortales Barbaræ predictæ quæ Viduitalis suæ anno xlv
Salutis autem mdccxiv
Augusti die xix
Castam Deo animam reddidit et cum dilectissimo Marito hic una Requiescit
Beatam Manens utriusque Resurrectionem.

(In English:
Tell, thou marble, that which for her grief a deeply sorrowing wife who is already almost become as still as thou cannot tell. Here lies what could die of Richard Porter Esq., a young man of immense promise but few years, whom fate, alas, with excess of haste bare hence in the 20th year of his age. These pure ashes of her dearly loving husband were laid (to rest) by Barbara Porter whose happiness in him as his wife is the measure of her unhappiness, for she actually, in the course of a single year, sang the wedding hymn and dirge of her darling spouse. He died the 14th day of December A.D. 1669.

Beneath this stone is also placed the mortal garb of the aforesaid Barbara who in the 45th year of her widowhood, the 1714th of salvation, on the 19th day of August, gave back her pure soul to God, and here rests with her beloved husband awaiting the blessed resurrection of them both.)

Memorials Formerly on the Floor of the Church.

Now Disappeared.

They are mentioned by Strype in his Stow, 1720; and by Malcolm, in Londinium Redivivum, 1803.

(There were twelve children in all, eight sons and four daughters; several died in infancy. Only two survived their parents—John, who endowed the schools, and Rebecca.)

Malcolm, (fn. 42) writing in 1803, says that for some years past an old escutcheon had hung on the pillar of the north aisle, from whence it was removed to a dark corner of the vestry room where it then was.

'P. M. Georgii Hastings, filii secundi Francisci Dñi Hastings, de Ashbye de la Zouch, Militis; qui duxit in uxorem Seymour, filiam et cohæredem Gilberli Prin, de Allington, com. Wintoniæ, militis; per quam quatuor filios et tres filias habuit. obiit 1 Julii, 1641. Posuit merito bene merenti uxor ejus mæstissima 1° die Junii, 1655.

1. Georgius filius primus natus 22 April, 1621; obiit . . . die Junii, 1627.

2. Carolus, filius secundus, natus 29 die Novemb. 1623.

3. Ferdinandus, filius tertius, natus 12 Jan. 1626; obiit die Conceptionis B. Virginis a^o 1645.

4. Franciscus, quartus, natus 2 Decembris 1628; obiit a^o 1631, apud Weybridge.

5. Katharina, innupta 1655.

6. Martha, nupta Oweni Owens, arm. die Purificationis B. Virginis, 1652.

7. Margareta ob. die Assumptionis B. Mariæ, A. 1654, ætat. 19.'

George Hastings was buried on the 4th July: against the entry in the Parish Register it is stated that he died of the plague. (fn. 43)

MEMORIALS NOW IN THE CHURCHYARDS

(All in the Great Churchyard unless otherwise indicated.)

The arrangement is alphabetical. The number refers to the number of the inscription copied in full in a book kept in the vestry, made and arranged by Mr. W. H. Irons. (fn. 44) Where more than one surname occurs on a stone, particulars are given under the number of the stone, with cross reference from the alphabetical order. All are headstones excepting Nos. 1 and 2.

Memorials Formerly in the Churchyards.

(Now disappeared.)