Monumental Inscriptions in the churchyard of St Clement Church, Old Romney

The Monumental Inscriptions in the churchyard of St Clement Church, Old Romney. Noted by Leland L. Duncan. Typed up by Dawn Weeks, checked by Zena Bamping.

Inscriptions in the churchyard
1. (By the porch) Elizabeth MORTLEY born 20 January 1835 died 18 May 1838. Also Harris John, born 25 September 1839 died 25 November 1839. Children of John and Harriett Mortley who are interred at New Romney.

2. (By east window north chancel – broken) Mr Edward THOMSON, many years an inhabitant of this place died …March 1804 aged 6(?1). Also Ann his wife died 6 February 1806 aged 51.
To the east of the chancel
3. Elizabeth daughter of E and S WOOLVEN and wife of Charles BALCOMB, RHA, Bengal, East Indies died 27 February 1870 aged 22. Also Kate Woolven daughter of above died 8 April 1868 aged 11 months. Charles Balcomb son of above Charles and Elizabeth Balcomb 4 July 1870 aged 4 months.

4. Richard HUNT died 6 December 1871 aged 72. Had issue by Elizabeth his wife 5 sons and 6 daughters, viz Elizabeth died 15 July 1862 aged 60. Ann 20 November 1840 aged 37. Richard 11 November 1887 aged 83. Sarah 4 October 1884 aged 78. John 8 May 1859 aged 51. Susanna 28 June 1898 aged 88. [LLD has made an error here somewhere, probably in the year of death] Mary Gibson 7 March 1889 aged 76. Joseph 16 April 1861 aged 39 Harriot 10 June 1817 aged 30. George 1 April 1892 aged 71. Henry 19 August 1916 aged 93. Also Elizabeth wife of above died 27 February 1857 aged 75.

5. Elizabeth wife of Robert PHIPPS, 29 December 1787 aged 66.

6. Robert PHIPPS died 20 December 1813 aged 85.

7. Mary, second wife of Robert BUCKHURST died 22 April 1803 aged 82. A loving woman free from strife, a tender mother and a virtuous wife.

8. Robert BUCKHURST of this parish, Yeoman. 7 April 1791 aged 75. Ann his wife, daughter of George and Ann Buckhurst of Sutton Valence, Gent died 10 December 1758 aged 39.

9. George BUCKHURST of this parish, Yeoman, 5 December 1803 aged 55. Mary his wife 19 January 1813 aged 70.

10. Henry HUNT died 19 August 1916 aged 93. Eliza his wife 9 March 1890 aged 75.
In the southern part of the yard
11. Sarah Ann wife of James WIMBLE, 26 September 1852 aged 44. Sarah Wimble daughter of above died 26 September 1852 aged 11 years and 6 months. John Wimble, son of above 21 April 1840 aged 4 months 13 days. She left surviving 9 children: William, James, Ann, Thomas, Mary, George, Charles, Caroline and Elizabeth.

12. James WIMBLE 28 April 1870 aged 67. Ann his wife 11 March 1918 aged 87.

13. Ann daughter of James and Ann WIMBLE died 2 June 1859 aged 3 years 7 months. Ellen daughter of above died 24 September 1859 aged 3 months 18 days.

14. William WIMBLE died 16 February 1912 aged 81. Left surviving his wife 4 sons and 3 daughters.

15. William SHARPEY of Midley died 10 April 1859 aged 48. Ann his wife 2 February 1839 aged 28. Also 3 sons: Thomas died 2 December 1837 aged 2 years, James 9 December 1837 aged 9 months, Stephen 15 December 1872 aged 40. Also Elizabeth his second wife died 27 March 1882 aged 69. Her two daughters and 4 sons: Ellen Frances died 12 July 1858 aged 3 years; Frederic 11 March 1860 aged 11; Mary Ann 31 July 1862 aged 14; James 7 January 1865 aged 20; George 5 December 1869 aged 18; Lewis 18 June 1881 aged 29.

16. Twelve footstones to above.

17. Mary PANKHURST died 1 April 1860 aged 78. William Pankhurst died 4 August 1862 aged 86, leaving 4 sons and 5 daughters: Sarah, Hannah died 13 July 1888 aged 83. Mary 4 October 1881 aged 74; John 3 March 1881 aged 71; Martha died an infant; William died 19 April 1888 aged 74; Ann; James 10 January 1878 aged 60; Harriet 26 March 1881 aged 64; Eliza died an infant; Edward.

18. (a large altar tomb in low rails) Thomas Tuearsly TUNBRIDGE, died at New Romney 2 December 1885 aged 73. Katherine Tunbridge his wife died 8 May 1908 aged 84 (see No 29) (Note: she was a daughter of …………..)

19. Margaret daughter of William and Ann HODGES, died 18 November 1833 aged 4 years 6 months.

20 Esther FULLER, second wife of John Fuller, carpenter of this parish, died 11 June 1781 aged 61.

21. John FULLER, carpenter of this parish, died 5 November 1777 aged 57. Also William Fuller, son of John and Esther Fuller 11 January 1780 aged 16. Erected by Esther his second wife.

22. Ann wife of William HODGES died 2 May 1852 aged 58. Ann daughter of above 12 July 1848 aged 28. Mary Sophia, 3 June 1847 aged 20 and Catherine 30 July 1839 aged 15.

23. William HODGES of New Romney died 15 December 1865 aged 75. William son of William and Ann Hodges 26 July 1840 at Adelaide, South Australia aged 26. Joseph died 30 January 1840 at Jamaica, West Indies aged 24. Left surviving Thomas, Frederic, Harriett and Margaret.

24. Peter son of Peter and Emma BURGESS died 4 February 1848 aged 8 months.

25. Alice daughter of Peter and Emma BURGESS, 19 August 1868 aged 23.

26. Emma wife of Peter BURGESS, 20 June 1885 aged 68.

27. Peter BURGESS of Old Romney died 8 January 1875 aged 51. Left surviving Emma his wife and 3 daughters: Betsy, Emily and Susannah.

28. Dinah wife of Richard HARDIMAN died 19 December 1868 aged 60. Leaving issue 3 sons and 3 daughters: Mary Ann; Isabell; George died 17 February 1886 aged 45; Flora died 12 March 1876 aged 32; Stephen; Isaiah. Also Richard Hardiman died 10 April 1877 aged 64.

29. William TUNBRIDGE died 5 November 1842 aged 60. Left surviving by Fanny his wife 3 children: Thomas Tuearsly; Elizabeth; and William. Fanny his wife died 22 September 1858 aged 78 (See Nº 18)

30. William TUNBRIDGE died 1 November 1868 aged 6.

31. Elizabeth TUNBRIDGE died at Ashford 12 July 1875 aged 60.

32. The Reverend William ANDERSON MA 31 years Rector of Old Romney died 23 September 1903 aged 77. Emma his wife 10 March 1909 aged 86.

33. (A flat and broken stone: no inscription legible.)

34. Two old footstones: RS – FS (no date)

35. Catharine Amelia Mary ANDERSON, daughter of William Anderson, Rector of this parish and Emma his wife, died 7 March 1876 in 13th year.

36. Phillis daughter of Richard and Sarah REEVES died 14 February 1861 aged 17.

37. To our father and mother: William REEVES died 18 April 1878 aged 72. Ellis Reeves died 6 June 1888 aged 75.
In the western part of the yard
38. James ARTER died 8 March 1907 aged 71. Isabel Arter his wife 10 October 1910 aged 71 leaving 6 sons and 3 daughters: Edward; Mary Ann; Elizabeth; Richard Hardiman; Thomas; Isabel Dinah; Frank; George and Stephen.

39. James, husband of Emma ARTER died 11 January 1890 aged 22.

40. Elizabeth daughter of William and Dorithy DOWLE died October 7 Anno Domini 1726 aged 6 years 8 months.

41. William DOWLL. Had issue by Dorithy his wife 4 daughters: Dorothy; Elizabeth; Sarah; Elizabeth. Left surviving only Dorithy and Elizabeth. He died 20 March 1719 aged 44 years. This erected by Dorothy.

42. Elisabeth wife of William DOWLLE who had issue by him three sons and four daughters vis: William, Abraham and Isaac, Margarett, Sarah, Margarett and Frances but only surviving Abraham, Margarett and Frances. She died 19 November 1713 aged 37.

43. George James GRIST died at Midley 9 February 1876 aged 45. Left surviving Elizabeth his wife and 4 children: Louisa Margaret Norris; Emmeline Henrietta; George James Joseph; and Elizabeth Ann. Elizabeth wife of the above died 7 December 1908 aged 76.

44. Joseph GRIST late of Brookland died 14 September 1854 aged 58. Left surviving Sarah his wife and 9 children: William, John, Lucy, Joseph-Giles, George-James, Thomas Norris, Charles-David, Elizabeth Ann, Louisa Esther. Also Sarah his wife died 12 December 1870 aged 69. Also to the memory of Henry and James Norris two infant children.

45. David GRIST of New Romney died 4 August 1870 aged 35. Left surviving Betsey his wife.

46. A coffin shaped tomb. No inscription.

47. Elizabeth wife of Thomas YOUNG, who had issue by him two sons and four daughters: Elizabeth Anne; Henry, Sarriy, Mary ?Susanna, Thomas. She died 10 November 1715 aged 44.

48. John OLIVER died 20 June 1838 aged 82. Also Ann wife of above died 26 March 1846 Aged 88. Late of Iden, Sussex.

49. Mary BATES, daughter of A and S Bates of this parish died 22 June 1806 aged 15.

50. Thomas BROOK died 8 January 1810 aged 8(?7) Margaret his wife 15 July 1787 aged ?64. Issue ?3 daughters: Ann, Elizabeth and Sarah (?) …….

51. Sarah BATES daughter of A and S Bates of this parish died 28 March 1812 aged 15. Also near this place John Bates, son of above who died an infant.

52. (Altar tomb) Arms: A fess between 3 mullets in chief and in base a chevron. Crest out of a ducal crown a (?wolf’s) head. (Query Badcock, with Tighe crest). Here lies the body of Martha the daughter of Mr William BADCOCK and relict of Stephen TIGHE of Stone, Gent. By whom she left issue only one daughter, Sarah, wife of George CARTER of Kennington, Esq. She died 25 August 1760 aged 80.

53. Charles son of Thomas and Eliza WOOD died 29 November 1856 aged 12 years 6 months.

54. Florence Mary SINDEN died 23 August 1899 aged 15 years 2 months.

55. Aaron HOOCKS died 22 April 1708 aged 5 years and ….. months. Basborn son of Margarit PHILPOT.

55A. A small broken stone M (a heart) M 1702

55B. Hear lieth the body of Diana MOVNT daughter of John and Diana MOVNT who died May the 12 1706 (a heart engraved as in 55A).

56. Fanny Eliza daughter of Stephen and Susanna MILLEN died 1 May 1884 aged 3 years 6 months.

57. Stephen SHARWOOD of this parish died 31 October 1857 aged 68. Bathsheba his wife 16 July 1869 aged 84.

58. Benjamin FERRIS died 23 September 1864 aged 74. Mary his wife 4 January 1879 aged 85.

59. Robert GILES, Gent, late of this parish, died in the forty (?fifth) year of his age ?1713.

60. Eliza wife of the Reverend John FORD BA Rector of this parish died in Paris 25 January 1857 aged 39. The Reverend John Ford 19 years Rector of this parish. Born 11 February 1804 died 21 March 1872.

61. (Altar tomb) south side: Peter only son of Godfrey MARTEN Gent, by Mary his wife eldest daughter of George WIGHTWICK late of Kingsnorth, Gent. (no dates). West end: Here lieth interred ye body of Godfrey ye eldest son of Peter Marten of this parish Gent died 13 April 1722 aged 57 years. East end: Here lieth interred the body of Mary WHITCOMB late wife of Godfrey Marten, Gent, who died December ye 16, 1733 aged 52.

62. Mr William KNIGHT Gent of Tenterden, died 21 May 1816 aged 81. Mary his first wife died 23 September 1791 aged 53. She was daughter of Mr John WOODMAN of Brookland. Mr John FREEBODY Gent of Brookland, uncle of the above died 19 May 1754 aged 50.

63. Sundial 1902, by Troughton, London.

64. John MILLENER died 21 April 1799 aged 63. Sarah is wife died 20 April 1799 aged 59.

65. Mary wife of John WIMBLE died 24 October 1792 aged 30. Had issue one son and 3 daughters: Harriot died 9 September 1791 aged 10 months; John; Mary and Sarah survive.

66. Mary WHITE died 4 April 1794 aged 44.

67. John WHITE died 22 July 1768 aged 60. Had issue by Ann his wife 3 children Anna lies here, John and Mary survive.

68. Anna wife of John MILLENER died 17 September 1818 aged 40. She left surviving 2 sons and 1 daughter: Mary, John and William. John Millener Died 27 August 1820 aged 64.

69. John son of John and Anna MILLENER died 19 April 1801 aged 3 years 6 months.

70. A MILLENER stone early 19th Century, illegible.

71. William PILCHER of Midley, Kent, died 7 May 1857 aged 67. Interred at Lydd Church yard and Harriot Mills Pilcher his widow died 21 March 1890 aged 83.

72. Hammond HILLS died 24 September 1791 aged 40.
Inscriptions in the church
(a) In the nave73. (Brass): John IPS and Margaret his wife.

74. (Flat): Here lyeth interred the body of James SPAINE Gent one of the Jurats of the towne and port of New Romney and once Maior thereof who departed this life the three and twentieth day of November 1677 in the 45th year of his age.

75. A stone with initials: TE (no date)
(b) In the chancel
76. (Large slab) Arms: A winged heart. In chief two 5-pointed mullets. In base two hands couped at the wrist clasped fessways. Impaling: a chevron between 3 (?lions) heads erased. Crest a roe (?) statant holding a pole or staff. Here lieth the body of ye Reverend Mr John DEFFRAY AM who was a faithful diligent Rector of this parish for near 48 years. After much delight in doing good he departed this life September ye 4 1738 in ye 78th year of his age. And also Margaret, widow of above, died July 13, 1761 aged 88.
Notes
There is an interesting altar frontal of Needlework dated 1692. In the north chapel, now the vestry is a fine coffin lid with a double handed sword carved thereon. From the blade are 8 chevron shaped stripes ?intended to represent rays of light. It appears to be 13th Century work or early 14th.
There is in this chapel the original altar stone with the usual crosses.

Index of Names and Places

Name Index
Anderson 32 35
Arter 38 39
Badcock 52
Balcomb 3
Bates 49 51
Brook 50
Buckhurst 7-9
Burgess 24-27
Carter 52
Deffray 76
Dowle 40-42
E--- 75
Ferris 58
Ford 60

Freebody 62
Fuller 20 21
Gibson (4)
Giles 59
Grist 43 45
Hardiman 28 (38)
Harris (1)
Hills 72
Hodges 19 22 23
Hoocks 55
Hunt 4 10
Ips 73
Knight 62
Marten 61
Millen 56Millener 64 68-70
Mills (71)
Mortley 1
Mount 55A 55B
Norris (43 44)
Oliver 48
Pankhurst 17
Philpot 55
Phipps 5 6
Pilcher 71
Reeves 36 37
S--- 34
Sharpey 15
Sharwood 57
Sinden 54Spaine 74
Thomson 2
Tighe 52
Tuearsly (29)
Tunbridge 18 29-31
Whitcomb 61
White 66 67
Wightwick 61
Wimble 11-14 65
Wood 53
Woodman 62
Woolven 3
Young 47

Places Index
Brookland
Kennington 52
Kingsnorth 61
Lydd 71

Midley 15 43 71
New Romney 18 23 74
Stone 52
Sutton Valence 8
Tenterden 62ArmorialsDeffray 76
Tighe 52General
Carpenter 20 21
Rector 32 35 60 76
Yeoman 8 9