Some Monumental Inscriptions of Nonington Church

Some Monumental Inscriptions of Nonington Church, noted by Bax & Rice Monday 9th May 1892. Pages 32-37 of Epitaphs from Kent Churches typed up by Margaret Broomfield. Also some Monumental Inscriptions noted by Rev Bryan Faussett noted 1758, added 7th November 2007.

1. Names in churchyard – Silvester, Maxted (numerous) Atwood, Hambrook, Young, Barville (3), Reader, Sole, Whitewood, Masey, Morgan, Crittenden, Ayers, Nash (2), Bailey, Castle (2), Wanstall, Pepper (3), Sutton (5), Chandler, Ashenden (yeoman 3), Knott, Holtham, Larkins, Pain, Critch, Spain, Steed, Finn, Belsey (4).

2. HS W of church Here lyeth the body of Sarah ye wife of Thomas RYE and daughter of Henry and Susanna Johnson who departed this life the 4th of July 1764 in the 27th year of her age leaving three children viz: Sarah, Johnson, and Thomas.

3. HS North of church Sacred to the memory of William DAVIS 53/4 years clerk of this parish who departed this life April 23rd 1826 aged 90 years. Also of Sarah wife of the above who died January 26 1800 aged 70 years.

4. HS Sacred to the memory of Mary WOOD who departed this life October 30th 1840 aged 52 years.

5. HS In memory of John WOOD who died the 26 January 1779 aged 74 years. Also Sarah Cambril daughter of the above who died the 26 February 1783 aged 22 years. Also Elizabeth wife of the above John Wood who died the 25 July 1790 aged 70 years. Robert Wood son of the above John and Elizabeth Wood who died April 1st 1803 aged 42 years left a wife and 4 children to lament his loss.

6. HS (cherub’s head) In memory of William GODDEN and Susanna his wife. he died the 23 of August 1774 aged 60 years. She died the 4th of June 1774 aged 54 years (sic).

7. HS cherub’s head In memory of Sarah the daughter of William and Sarah GODDEN of Old Street in this parish. She departed this life the 29 of August 1766 aged 7 years and 3 months and 2 days.

8. HS S of church 2 sculls above Here lieth ye body of Richard SUTTON yeoman late of this parish who departed this life ye 17 day of August 1741 in the 71 year of his age.

9. HS South West side of churchyard In memory of Elizabeth the wife of Edward MAXTED who died 27/8 December 1791? aged ..6 years.

10. HS Trumpets, swords, book, urn in centre of tomb In memory of Nathaniel BELSEY late of this parish who departed this life July the 7th 1789 aged 83 years. Also Nathaniel son of the above said Nathaniel Belsey late of the parish of (sunk).

11. HS Sacred to the memory of Mary, relict of Mr. Nathaniel BELSEY formerly of this place who died at Sandwich on the 3 of march 1829 aged 87 years. Also of Thomas Gambril brother of the above who died 16 March 1829 aged 77 years and lies buried in a grave near this spot.
Copied by Mr. R. G. Rice12. Headstone W of church In memory of William APPLETON who died 23rd October 1861 aged 86 years. Also Ann, his wife who died 5th November 1864 aged 84 years. Prepare to meet thy God.

13. HS to W of church and to W of last Sacred to the memory of Allen HOMERSHAM late of this parish who departed this life December 24th 1837 aged 85 years. Also Martha, wife of the above who died February 3rd 1795 aged 31 years. Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord.

14. HS to N of church and to W of last Sacred to the memory of Thomas PETLEY many years master of the National School of this parish who died December 2nd 1826 aged 51 years. Also of Ann his wife who died July 9th 1843 aged 68 years. Likewise of Henry Petley grandson of the above who died November 18th 1825 aged 1 month.

15. HS South West of church, has apparently been repainted In memory of Eleanor Mary infant daughter of The Revd. Nathaniel Arthur GARLAND and Mary, his wife died January 24th 1848. Of such is the kingdom of God. Mark X 14.

16. Large HS and body stone SW of church Sacred to the memory of Jacob CHANDLER of this parish who died 16th November 1836 in the 85th year of his age. Also Ann Chandler wife of the said Jacob Chandler who died 27th October 1832 in the 87th year of her age. Also Ann Wood Chandler granddaughter of the above who died 27th September 1825 in the 17th year of her age.

17. HS South of church. Two sculls and hourglass on top Here lieth ye body of Richard SUTTON yeoman late of this parish who departed this life ye 17 day of August 1741 in the 71 year of his age.

18. There are 3 …… Sutton HSS with body stones and a high tomb railed to same: all recently ‘restored’ and painted.

19. High brick tomb North of chancel (on top) all Roman italic? caps. In memory of Elizabeth wife of Samuel MAXTED died the 1st of October 1791 aged 80 years. Also of Samuel Maxted who died the 4th of June 1808 aged 96 years. Edward Maxted son of the above who died the 18th of November 1802 aged 49 years. Elizabeth Maxted daughter of the above who died the 2nd April 1812 aged 91 years? Also Sarah wife of Henry Maxted of this parish who died 29th July 1852 aged 38 years and four children, viz. Mary Elizabeth, Charles John, Charles and Harry.

20. Large HS and body stone to N of last In memory of Thomas MAXTED who died 6 February 1813 aged 66 years. Also Elizabeth, wife of the above who died 22nd December 1803, aged 48 years. Likewise Elizabeth widow of the above named Thomas Maxted who died 11th April 1843 aged 81 years.

21. HS North of church Charles le [chipped away] born at Tewkesbury Gloucestershire 1755 obiit 1823. Mary Street [sic] wife of the above born at Ruddington Nottinghamshire 1751 obiit 1792.

22. HS North of church In memory of Mary wife of John William SILVESTER of Hackney Middlesex and daughter of George and Mary Hambrook of this parish died January 30th 1842 aged 41 years leaving one son John Stephen to lament her loss.

23. Stones to Hambrook family.

24. High stone tomb enclosed with high railing to South of church – no misc on top or E or W ends On the North side: To the memory of William SPRATT late of Eythorn who died the 30th June 1804 aged 67 years. Also Mary, wife of the above who died the 23rd of May 1811 aged 77 years. South side: To the memory of William Belsey SPRATT who died 4th May 1849 aged 70 years. Also Mrs. Elizabeth Spratt who died 27th July 1852 aged 76 years.

25. Large HS to E of Spratt tomb In memory of Mr. Isaac BELSEY late of the City of Canterbury who died March 15th 1782 in the 57th year of his age. He left surviving one son and 3 daughters viz. Vincent, Elizabeth, Judith and Mary. Also of Mary wife of the above Isaac Belsey, who died January 16th 1816 aged 87 years.


26. In chancel. Nonnington church. Blue stone ledger arms as rubbed Here lieth interr’d ye body of William HAMMOND Esq., who departed this life January 17th 1717 in the 54 year of his life.
NB Several other Hammond memorials.
NONNINGTON PARISH REGISTER - extracts from
27. Christenings
1539-40 March 9 Richard Bax of Robert
1541-2 March 15 Robit Bax of Robit
1543-4 March 14 Agnes Baxe of Robert
1547 Joan Bax of Robit
1548 (after August and before February) Kathrine Bax of Robit
1563 September 15 Lettice Challoner of ---
1563 May 3 Jane Challoner of –
1594 September 28 Parnel Back… of John
1616 December 26 Francisca filia Johannis Bec baptizsta est (to 1610)

28. Marriages
January 17 1611-12 Johanes Bac et Tamsin? Higham …….
October 11th? 1618 John Coffly and Elizabeth Baxe marryed
October 14 1631 John Hooker and Ann Jones?

29. Burials
1544 November 28 Richarde Baxe of Robit ye son
1546 September 4 Robit Bax sonne of Robt ye elder
1546 November 22 Ellin Bax wife of Robit
1597 November 30 Parnell Bax daughter of John
1597/8 February 18 Edward Boyse Esquire (to 1658)
1567 December 16 Thomas Ovenden
marriage Marie Boiser

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Also some Monumental Inscriptions  Noted by Rev Bryan Faussett noted 1758, added 7th November 2007

Chancell.
30. A Very Handsome Altar Piece.

31. On ye East Wall, on ye North Side of the Communion Table is the following Inscription, & Coat, on a Large Brass Plate. (G.note: WILFORD) [Gu. a chevn. engrailed betw. 3 leopards’ heads or. imp. (G.note SIMPSON) ¼ly: 1&4). Per bend sa. & or, a lion rampt. countercharged.(G.note GEMCOT). 2&3). A bend & on a chef 3 bezants (these the only colour shown)]. Alys the Daughter and Heyre of William Simpson Esquyer, Vice Marshall of Calys, and Catherine Gemcot, Wife to Fauncis WILLFORD, neere 35 Yeares (by whome She had 6 Souns, and 4 Daughters) depted. constantly in ye Fayth of Jesus Christ, about the Yeare of her Age 59, Junij 3 A.Dni 1581, who now resteth in ye Lord, & hath receaved the End of her Faythe, wych is the Salvation of her Soule. 1.Pet.1.9.

32. On a Brass Plate on an Ancient Flat Stone. Hic jacet Johes COOKE, quondam Curat Ecclesiae de Nonyngton q. obiit septimo Die Augusti, A. M.v.xxviii. (error for .. xviii – 1518).

33. On Another Flat Stone bearing this Coat. [Tierced: 1). Gu. 2 bends erm. (KINGSFORD).
2). Arg. on a chevn. sa. 3 escallops arg. betw. 3 ogresses, each charged with a martlet arg. (HAMMOND). 3). ¼ly of 6: 1,3,5). Sa. a fleut-de-lys or. (TURNER) 2,4,6). Erm. (TURNER)]. Here lieth interr’d the Body of William HAMMOND Esq. who departed this Life Jan. 17th 1717(8) in the 54th Year of his Age.

34. On Another. Hic Jacet Elizabeth HAMMOND Gulielmi Hammond Arm. Uxor qui (sic in Orig.) obijt in Octob. Anno Domini M.D.C.L.XXV. (1675).

35. On Another. Hic Jacet Willielmus HAMMOND, Arm. qui Obijt Sexto Die Maij Anno Dom. 1685.

36. Another not Legible, except the Date, viz. 1626.

37. On a Mural Monument On the North Wall. Domino Anthonio FIELDO Gregis Christi Pastoris (sic) vigilantissimo, nec non fidelissimo Sacrum. Caetera saepe solent, ut sint magè Messibus apta,/Agricolae, impensis Arva, Labore coli./Ast Ager iste alios coluit, sudavit et alsit,/Ut Sparten Domino Villicus excoleret./Emeritus tandem, Cursumq emensus, abivit,/Extremo expectans Praemia danda Die.
Some Fight the Feild for Love of Country’s Soil;/Some Fight the Feild for their own Honour’s Sake;/Some fight at First, but, afterwards recoile./Which worthily to their Disparage make./Some buie the Field, but pass not for ye Treasure./Their Hearte’s Thoughts play so much upon ye Base;/The Worth of Heav’n they carnally doe Measure,/By corrupt Sense, that savours not of Grace./But, this Field fought for Christ, His Truth, His Flocke,/For Heav’nly Glory, and eternal Lyfe,/Agaynst ye Flesh, The Devill, and Worlde’s Mocke;/This was ye Quarrell, & the deadly Stryfe./Theis Three fought strongly, but he would not yeild;/At Length he fought with Death, and won ye Field.
His Faecundus Ager, caelesti Rore rigatus,/Naturae ornatus Dolibus eximijs,/Attulit ingentem Domini in Granaria Messem,/Imbuto Populo Cognitione Dei./Suavis Odor Vitae Fieldi Documenta fuerunt,/Et redolent Factis Fama Deciusq pijs.
Loe here a Field, whome once the Lord had Bless’t/With guifts of Nature, Learning, Art, and Grace;/Enjoyeth now his Saboaths, is at Rest./Chear’d with the Sun Beames of his Makers Face./The Fragrant Smell of this most Fruitfull Feild,/A Sweet Rememb’rance of his Name doth Yeild.

In The North Chancell. On ye S. Wall.
38. [I. ¼ly: 1). Or, a griffin segreant sa. in a border gu. (BOYS). 2). Sa. a chevn. arg. betw. 3 buckles or. 3). Arg. on a fesse sa. 3 bezants betw. 3 lions’ heads erd. gu. 4). Per pale & per fesse indented erm. & gu. (G.note: Phallop). II. BOYS imp. Sa. a chevn. betw. 3 leopard’s heads or (WENTWORTH)].
39. In Memoriam Edvardi BOYS, Armigeri, defuncti. Stemmata Majorum, Generisq Insigniae, jactent,/Qui laudare solent Proavos alienaq Facta./Hic, Monumenta sui liquit, Statuamq perennem,/Virtutem propriam, verae Pietatis Alumnus./Musarum Decus eximium; Fantorq Piorum;/Justitiae Custos; et Relligionis Amator./Pro Christo natale Soloum, Patriamq reliquit;/Per Christum Semper Patriâ meliore fruetur. In Obitum Edvardi BOYS Senioris Militis.
Vir Pietate Amans, Censû decoratus equestri;/Militiae clarus, clarus et Ille domi./Sanguine Clarorum illustri non nixus Avorum,/Sed Virtute suâ, Viribus atq suis./Justitiaeq tenax, et Amicus Vitabis Ille;/Auxilium miseris, Malleus Ille Malis.

40. In Memory of The Lady BOYS, Wife of Sr. Edward Boys. If Piety to God, and Love of Saintes;/If Pity of the Poor in their Complayntes;/If Care of Children’s Godly Education;/If Modest Carriage merits Estimation;/All these, and more, shall this good Lady have,/To keep her ever from Oblivious Grave./ God He hath crown’d her with eternall Bliss;/The Church doth honour her; The Poor her Miss./Her Godly Offspring treading in her Waies/To theyr succeedinge Age commend her Prayse./Such Honour She, such Honour may they find,/That, unto Syon bear a Loving Mynd.

41. On Another Fine Monumt. on ye same Wall. [¼ly of 10:
1). Sa. 2 chevrons arg. betw. 3 escallops arg. (BODE).
2). Per bend embattled sa. & arg.3). ¼ly arg. & sa. a label of 3 points sa.
4). Gu. a chevron erm. betw. 3 garbs or.
5). Erm. 3 pickaxes gu.
6). Erm. 2 chevrons gu.
7). Arg. crusilly az. 3 crescents gu.
8). Gu. a maunche arg.
9). Per chevn. sa. & erm. in chief 2 boars’ heads couped or (G.note: SANDFORD).
10). Arg. a chevn. betw. 3 rams’ heads sa. horned or imp. ¼ly:
1). Or, a griffin segreant sa. in a border or (sic, for gu.) (G. note: BOYS).
2). Sa. a chevn. arg. betw. 3 buckles or. (G. note: PHALLOP).
3). Arg. a chevn. sa. with 3 bezants.
4). Per pale & per fesse indented erm. & gu.].
42. In Obitum optimae Faeminae Mariae BODE Uxoris *Joh.Bode Generosi Filia Edvardi BOYS Militis suae obiit 21 Die Jun. A.D. 1615. *He afterwards married Mary, the Daughter of Henry HEYMAN of Sellinge Esq. (see My Book of Pedigrees, Fol.51). Whose Earthly Body now awhile ye Grave shall close retaine,/Her Name in Earth, her Soul in Heavn, forever shall remayne./For why? She living, lov’d of God, a Pattern bright did shine,/To Mayds, to Mothers, Matrons grave; let none at this repine./Meek, Patient, Modest, loving, chaste, kind, harmless, zealous, just;/In Life expressing working Fayth, in Dying constant Trust./In Heav’n her Thoughts She treasured still, & thereon set her Heart,/Good Marye’s Peace now hath, for why? her Choice was Marye’s Part. - I.B. Parturieus perijt, perijt non vivit Olympo./Aeternae in Caelis Gandia Lucis habens./Abstulit hauc cita Mors, nulli Pietate secundam;/Innocuam Vitâ, Pace, Pudore, Fide.- I.B. In Kent and Essex where she came,/For Virtues wreathed in one;/For modest Wisdom, & Sobrietye;/In Life and Death, I count her Blest./She left behind her such a Name,/For sweet Behaviour & Religion;/True Marriage: Love, unstained Chastitye,/Which soe could live, and soe did rest. - W.S.
The Starr deckt Skie thought large, not all the brightest Starrs doth hold;/The Sayntes on Earth, by Light of Grace, more bright an Hundred fold./Who clear’d from lumpish Care, translate from Earthly Mine,/Third Heav’n shall furnish, and above ye lower Starrs shall shine./Such Wight is here interr’d; not Dust, nor Death can dim her Light,/None can deny her this; I speak, in Reason; ‘tis her Right. W.B.
Here lyes her Corpes, which living held a Spiritt,/Whear Zeale and Modesty did still inheritt./Till God, who knew the Virtues that She had,/Saw hir, too good, to live with us, too bad./Hir Earthy Part lies here involved in Dust;/Hir Heavn’ly Sowle, a Saynte among ye Just.

43. On a Neat Monument on The South Wall. [Gu. a chevn. vairy or & az. betw. 3 leopards’ heads or imp. Arg. a fret gu. on a chief gu. 3 leopards’ heads or]. Hic sunt depositae Janae Reliquiae ab antiquâ Generos: Liddelor Familiâ oriundae, ex Castello de Ravensworth, in Agro Durelmensi, Johannis MENNES, Equitis Aurati Anglo Cantiani, Conjugis, Maris Anglicani Vice-Admiralli, Clessisque Regiae Contrarotulatoris. Illa, (absente Marito sub Velis Regijs Reginam ex Galliâ Mariam revehentibus) apud Fridville, Johannis BOYS Armigeri occumbeus, hospitali Istius Humanitate, hic inhumata. In sacram Dilectissimae Consortis Memoriam, Mariti Pietate, hoc Marmor erigitur. Nata Annos, circitèr 1602. Julij 23 1662, denata.

44. On a Flat Stone. Here lieth Edward BOYS Esq. who married The Daughter of Sr. Nicholas WENTWORTH, Knight, Porter of Callise; who departed this Life The 15th of February 1559(60).

45. On Another. Here lieth Dame Katherine BOYS, Wife unto Sr. Edward Boys, Knight, Senr. and Daughter of Richard KNATCHBULL Esq. Who died 23 June 1625.

46. …….. Here lieth also interred The Body of Mary TROTTER The Daughter of The said Mary BODE, and Wife of Richard Trotter, the 2d. Son of Sr. Henry Trotter of Skelton Castle in the County of Yorke, Knt. who died the 18th of Aug. 1647.

47. On Another. Here lieth Sr. Edward BOYS, Knight; Who had Issue, Sr. Edward Boys, Roger, Thomas, Peter, Dorothy, Elizabeth, Mary, Jane, Anne, and Frances; who died January the 8th 1634/5.

48. Three Other Flat Stones, not legible.

49. In The East Window of this Chancell, is this Coat still to be seen. [BOYS (as before) imp. Gu. a chevn. betw.3 griffins passant arg.]. (G. note: FINCH).

50. Here was formerly a Rood Loft.

In The Body.
51. On a Flat White Grave Stone, (incised slab, now much worn) bearing The Figures of a Man, between 2 Women, and, under them, 5 Children, (all cut ye Stone) is The Following Inscription, round the Verge. Orate pro Animis Johais HAMON, Margarete et Mareie (sic) suis Uxoris (sic); qui quidem Johaes obijt iiii die Octobris Anno Dni. M.CCCCC.XXVI (1526) quor Aiab: ppicietur Deus. Amen.

52. On Another Flat Stone. Here lieth interr’d the Body of Elisabeth Wife of John PILCHER. She departed this Life Nov. 27 1725. Aged 74 Years.

53. On Another. Here lieth The Body of John PILCHER of this Parish; who left Issue by Mary his Wife 1 Daughter Elisabeth. He departed this Life March 17 1735/6. Aged 69 Years.

54. The Windows, in General, appear to have been very beautyfull. In The Eastmost Window of The North Isle are The Figures of a Man, and 2 Children, in a praying Posture; and, under them, this Remnant of an Inscription. "Et Elizabet Uxor Ejus".

55. This Church consists of, The Great, and North, Chancells, The Body, and North Isle. The Tower, which is very low, stands at the West End of the North Isle. In it hang 3 heavy Bells, thus inscribed.
1. Sancta Katerina. Ora pro Nobis.
2. John HODSON Me Fecit. 1683. S. NASH & Robt. PAYNE, Ch. Wardens.
3. Josephus HATCH Me Fecit. 1621.

56. It was anciently a Chappel to Wingham; but, in ye Year 1282, upon dividing Wingham into 4 Parishes, this was one of them.

57. It was called St. Maries.

58. It is a ….. in the Gift of …….
The Present ….. is The Revd. Mr Edward LUNN; who is also Rector of Denton, and Curate of Wymingswould. viz: 1758.

Index of Names and Places

Names Index
APPLETON 12
Ashenden 1
Atwood 1
Ayers 1
Bac et Tamsin? 28
Back 27
Bailey 1
Barville 1
Bax 27, 29
Baxe 28, 29
BELSEY 1, 10, 11, 25
BODE 42, 46
Boiser 29
BOYS 29, 39, 40, 42-45,
    47, 49
Castle 1
Challoner 27
Chandler 1

Coffly 28
COOKE 32
Critch 1
Crittenden 1
DAVIS 3
FIELDO 37
Finn 1
GARLAND 15, 16
GODDEN 6, 7
Hambrook 1, 22, 26
HAMMOND 33, 34, 35
HAMON 51
HEYMAN 42
HODSON 55
Holtham1
HOMERSHAM 13
Hooker 28
Jones? 28
KNATCHBULL 45
Knott 1
Larkins 1
LUNN 58
Masey 1
MAXTED 1, 9, 19, 20
Morgan 1
Nash 1
NASH 55
Ovenden 29
Pain 1
Parnel Back 27
PAYNE 55
Pepper 1
PETLEY 14
PILCHER 52, 53
Reader 1
RYE 2
SILVESTER 1, 22
Simpson 31
Sole 1
Spain 1
SPRATT 24
Steed 1
Sutton 1
SUTTON 8, 17, 18
TROTTER 46
Wanstall 1
WENTWORTH 38, 44
Whitewood 1
WILLFORD 31
WOOD 4, 5
Wood Chandler 16
Young 1

Places Index
Canterbury 25
Denton 58
Eythorne 24
Hackney, Middlesex 22
Higham 28
Ruddington Nottinghamshire 21
Sandwich 11
Sellinge 42
Skelton Castle, Yorks 46
Tewkesbury Gloucestershire 21
Womenswold 58General
master of the National School 14
parish clerk 3
Porter of Callise 44
Revd 15
Vice Marshall of Calys 31
Yeoman 1, 8, 17