Monumental Inscriptions in the churchyard of Egerton Church

The Monumental Inscriptions in the churchyard of Egerton Church noted 16th May 1921 by Leland L. Duncan.

The following is as far as possible an exact transcription of Mr L.L. Duncan's field notebook. His notebook written up in his shorthand, in pencil, on the site leaves something to be desired. The paper of the notebook has over time become somewhat dirty and aged but is an immensely valuable record of that date.
                                                                             Transcribed and typed up by Christine Pantrey

In the Nave: South wall.
1.  Coat of Arms underneath:- Here lyeth ye body of Henry HUSSEY of Egerton Esquire only son of George Hussey of Slimfold in the County of Sussex Esquire. Obt. February 4th AD1694
Aet. Gue. 74.

2.  In memory of Julie Louise wife of the Rev. William AYERST an Vicar of this parish who was born in Dantiz, 22nd March 1803 and died in peace 13th April 1871. [ Above are arms].
Page 64.
3.  In memory of Mary- Louise third daughter of the Rev. William AYERST an Vicar of this parish. Born in Berlin, 2nd February 1836 died 24th March 1869. Erected by her brothers in India.

4.   In memory of Elizabeth daughter of same wife of Gideon Colquhoun SCONCE Barrister at Law. She was born at Rolvenden in Kent 8th November 1837, Married at Dum Dum in Bengal, 6th October 1877 and died at Culcutta 9th June 1879.
Page 65.
5.   In memory of the Rev. William AYERST and 30 years vicar of this parish. Died 19th January 1883 aged 80.

6.  In memory of George AYERST died at Rowestoff, 12th September 1876 aged 33. He was district Judge of Hydrabad Sind. India and youngest son of the Rev. William Ayerst MA Vicar of this parish.

The above are the only Memorials in the church (but see next page:-)
Font: 15th century octagonal with emblems of the Evangelists. Roof of the Nave 15th century and good. Arcade 15th century. North Aisle 14th . Tower, good 15th century, very like Charing and evidently by same builders. On South side at East end of Nave is a window high up to light the rood loft and below it a two light perpendicular sort of low side window.

MISCELLANEOUS.
7.   Reverendi Viri Gulielu HALFORD Qui luis anno plus quam XV Fidess…….invigilavit Alior….per majis quem suo Corp. Commodo Fuit is (….aveat Scire). Obiit VI Oct MDCCXXX

8.   Here lyeth ye body of ? Chrishan daughter of D….HU…. T…. Esquire Died 1728 aged –

9.   E.H. aged ….. …….1704

[ Above on floor of North Chapel – now Vestry]

10. In Registers index } ? all burials William MARTEN son of John and Margaret. Daniel MARTIN son of John and Frances. Ethel Mary aged seven months } John Walter 1892. Arthur Charles aged five months} & Elizabeth. 1892. John Walter Martin aged 45.

(In yard near gate):-
11. Here lyeth ye body of Thomas BERY sonne of Norman Bery who departed this life the third day of March in the year 1683 aged 20 years.

12..(Big tomb opposite porch – On East end):- Here lyeth the Body of Edward CRESE ? Desesed A….. ? 5?1646

13..Here lyeth ye body of Anthony RAYNER late of Smarden yeoman son of George Rayner of Leetofore of Egerton who departed this life ye 3rd July 1708 aged 79 years. He left issue only one daughter Elizabeth ye wife of John ADAMS of Egerton Milwright.

14 Here lyeth the body of Robert son of Robert FURNOR of Pluckley and of Sarah his wife. Who died August 24th 1711 aged 53 years.

15. Here lyeth the body of Robert FURNER late of Pluckley in ye County of Kent, yeoman who departed this life 2nd December 1715 in the 70th year of his age.

16. Here lyeth the body of Judith wife of Robert FURNER of Pluckley being the daughter of Richard GLOVER late of Egerton. She died in ye 59th year of her age leaving noe issue and was buried…… …. October. ……..{under ground].

(On North side of yard):-
17. William BRIGHT late of Southfield in the parish of Charing died May 7th 1790 aged 76.
Catherine his wife died 28th January 1777 aged 59.

N.B. The Buttresses of the Tower are at the North and West and South and West corners. And remind one very much of those at Tenterden. They have large blocks of Bethersden stone at intervals with rag between. West Door spandrels. On North a four-foil with rose in centre. South too far gone to see arms ? a bend.

(Opposite tower):-
18. Here lyeth the wife of George BRAMBIEN who dyed the 11th of Jenever 16? 64. Had issue one son and two daughters aged 46.

Egerton visited Whit-Monday 16TH May 1921.

This is not a big churchyard – about 150 stones I should say but many are in very bad condition and most very difficult to read. Several of the oldest stones are of Bethersden marble and illegible. The majority of the old ones are on the South side of the church . The above are only a few selections.

Tea at the George. L.D. 16th May 1921.

Index of Names and Places

Name Index
Adams 13
Ayerst 2, 3, 5, 6
Bery 11
Brambien 18
Bright 17
Crese? 12
D….HU…. T 8
Egerton Index

Furnor 13, 15, 16
Glover 16
E.H. 9
Halford 7
Hussey 1
Marten 4
Martin 4
Rayner 13
Sconce 4Places IndexBerlin 3
Charing, Southfield, 17
Culcutta 4
Dantiz
Dum Dum, Bengal 4
Hydrabad Sind, India
India
Jeneyer 18
Pluckley 13,15, 16
Rolvenden 4
Rowestoff 6
Slimfold, Sussex
Smarden 13General
Barrister 4
District Judge 6
Milwright. 13
Vicar 2, 5, 7
Yeoman 13, 15