Category: Community (Warminster)

During 1882 the Warminster Herald newspaper featured a series of articles under the collective title “Rambles In And Around Warminster”, a title which seems rather inappropriate for the subject matter, because the articles, for the most part, record inscriptions on memorials and gravestones in local churches and churchyards.

The name of the writer was not recorded but his or her series began by featuring memorials at St. Denys’, Warminster, and went on to include those for other churches in the town, as well as for some of the village churches and churchyards in the surrounding villages.

Because the articles contain a wealth of information concerning local persons, and the fact that many of the gravestones have since been removed or are now in some cases illegible, it is our pleasure to include them here.

ST DENYS’, WARMINSTER
Part One – Inside The Church

Someone has been unkind enough to state that Warminster Church is the most hideous in the Salisbury Diocese. Without making any invidious comparisons, it may be safely said that although Saint Denys’ is by no means an elegant or artistic structure, the Diocese is not so poor in ugly churches as to justify such a sweeping assertion as that which has been alluded to. Incongruous as its outward appearance may be, and jumbled as the interior most undoubtedly is, the old building, with all its faults, has, at any rate for Warminster people, an indefinable, but not, perhaps, unjustifiable charm. There is about the very ruggedness and incorrectness of its outlines a certain amount of picturesque dignity, increased by the colouring produced by age and weather, and by the effect of the sloping churchyard, with its moss-grown stones and ancient yew tree, said to be even older than the Church itself. Even the interior, though inexcusable when taken as a whole, or when considered in respect of its adaptability to Public Worship, preserves many curious and interesting old examples of carving, sculpture, and architecture. At any rate, from use and for old associations’ sake, the building is regarded, by the parishioners at least, with a feeling somewhat akin to the affection and partiality which a parent feels for a commonplace or uninteresting child.

Of all the associations which endear an old church to a congregation, perhaps the most binding and the most solemn are the memories of past fellow-worshippers, commemorated, as in the Warminster Church, upon the walls of the building. The object of the present article is to refer briefly to the many tablets, brasses, and other monumental inscriptions that are to be found upon the walls of the interior. Their interest, it is true, is of a rather limited and almost entirely local character, and it must be admitted, at starting, that none of them are strikingly old, magnificent, or curious. It is a singular fact that although Warminster has had its “Baron” for over a century, and though many noble families have lived in its neighbourhood, not one person of title is commemorated upon the walls of the church. The oldest inscription, moreover, dates from so comparatively recent a period as 1635. It is at about this date, by the bye, that we read, in the vestry records, of the Church being made “decent and handsome,” an ominous expression, which, perhaps, may have meant, amongst other things, the wholesale removal or destruction of many old monuments, and other relics of pre-Reformation times.

Entering the building by the South-West entrance, we find, first of all, upon the wall of the south aisle, a long Latin inscription, commencing with the words “Heus viacor,” – a curious blunder, on the part of the sculptor, for “Heus viator.” Latin epitaphs must have been a sore trial to rural stonemasons, for our forefathers were not in the habit of writing more legible manuscript than we of the present age. Besides this error, in the first line of the inscription, there are several other mistakes, in spelling and punctuation, upon this stone. Why epitaphs should, in former times, have been so universally written in Latin, is a mystery which it is not easy to explain, though it has been ingeniously suggested that a dead language may have been considered the most appropriate for inscription upon a tomb. It is possible, however, that the reason is to be found in the supposition that a larger amount of flattery could be applied in a foreign language, than would have seemed becoming in our own more familiar tongue. Certainly, since Latin inscriptions have become obsolete, fulsome epitaphs have declined. The following is a literal translation of the inscription in question:-

“Nay, wayfarer, stay your steps; the reward of your delay will be that you will not be unaware of him who lies below. Alas! (Oh! that God had willed him to survive!) William, son of William and Frances Buckler, lies here. He was a youth most irreproachable and most perfect, remarkable for his truthfulness in conversation, his urbanity of manners, and his courteousness in society – hence he was deservedly the favourite of his parents, his brother, and his sister. Without exciting any ill-will, he was the flower and glory of the Academy at Wells, and would have been the same and the ornament of Cambridge. But alas! seized by illness – never more hateful – he breathed out his pure soul January 21st, 1708, aged 18. Go, reader, and, if you can, imitate him.”

The Buckler family was one of considerable wealth and importance in the neighbourhood of Warminster. They occupied a mansion upon the site of the house now called “Treverbyn,” in the Boreham Road. Many of the fine old trees of the park, which surrounded the residence, are still noticeable in the neighbourhood. The family, now extinct, is represented, through intermarriage, by the Astleys of Everleigh. A little further on, in the same aisle, is a brass plate, to the memory of another member of the Buckler family, Thomas Buckler, Esq., who died, aged 67, in 1704. He was the father of the Rev. B. Buckler, D.D., Fellow of All Souls, Oxford, keeper of the University Records, author of several learned works, and rector of Cumnor, Berks, where he died, in 1780.

Between the two Buckler inscriptions, in this aisle, is a tablet to the memory of Mr. Edward Tugwell Lawrence, who died in 1840, and his wife, his sister, and his daughter.

Adjoining are several inscriptions to members of the Slade family. Mr. Edward Slade, the date of whose death is not recorded, was a solicitor of some reputation in the neighbourhood during the last century, and lived, we believe, in the house now occupied by Messrs. J.M. and S. Rogers, in the Market Place. Some of the family resided at Trowbridge. The Rev. Edward Davis Slade, who died of decline, in his twenty-eighth year, on the 22nd October, 1824, was Rector of Wanstrow, Somerset. Mr. William Slade (died in 1723), Mr. John Slade (died 1773, aged 85), and the Rev. W. Slade, M.A., rector of Corsley (died 1782, aged 53), are also commemorated.

Mr. William Slade left “Twenty half-crowns yearly to twenty poor Housekeepers of the Parish, who receive nothing out of the collection for the Poor.” This bequest was payable out of the King’s Arms Inn, on or before January 15th, each year. At present, “Slade’s Charity” is distributed at Christmas, from a rent-charge of 50s., on property belonging to Mrs. Cruse, now rented by Mr. T. Martin, in the Market Place and North Row.

Near the Slade monuments is a brass plate, to the memory of Mr. William Langley, who died in 1807, aged 57. The plate also records the deaths of his wife, his son, and his son’s wife, and other members of the family, including Mr. W.C. Langley, who died in 1840, aged 40 years. Mr. William Langley was a farmer, possessed of considerable property in Warminster, and he acted, upon one or more occasions, as churchwarden. Two of his sons became clergymen of the Church of England. He resided in the house now called The Masons’ Arms and from traces of decoration still left in this property, he seems to have expended considerable sums in embellishing the building. The family is still represented in the town.

Not far from this brass is an inscription to the memory of Mrs. Matthew Davies (formerly a Miss Seagram), of Craven House, who died in 1867, aged 87 years.

Adjoining is a long list of members of the Halliday family, extending from Edward Halliday, born 1625, d.1702, to Edmund Thos. Halliday, who died in 1840, aged 28 years. The bodies of the Hallidays were buried in the Chancel of the church. A space is left for the name of one deceased member of the family but the inscription is still uncompleted. The Edward Halliday who heads this list, resided in East Street, and it is said that after the Battle of Worcester, when fleeing to the South Coast, Charles II slept one night under Mr. Halliday’s roof. The bedstead which the King is supposed to have used is still preserved, as is a portrait of Charles.

Near by is an inscription as follows:-

“Sacred to the memory of Capt. Charles Rowlandson, Madras Native Infantry, son of the Rev. M. Rowlandson, D.D., who after a zealous and faithful service of 22 years, on his passage from India, Feb. 29, 1848, passed from long and afflicting illness to the rest prepared for ‘them that sleep in Jesus,’ aged 41. ‘The sea shall give up her dead.’ This tablet was erected by his affectionate widow.”

Capt. Rowlandson was the son of the Rev. Michael Rowlandson, vicar of the parish from 1808 to 1824.

Next is a tablet to the memory of Alfred Tayler, who died 1825, aged 52, and of his daughter-in-law, Mary Ann Tayler, who died in 1867, aged 70. The Taylers kept a drapery establishment in the Market Place, where Mr. Edwards’s warehouse is now situated. The business was carried on in succession by three brothers.

Near to this monument is one to Mr. Thomas Squire, a surgeon of Warminster, modestly described upon the curious inscription which tells of his good qualities, as an “apothecary.” He was the son of a vicar of Great Durnford, and married a daughter of the Rev. J. Scott, of Bishopstrow. He died in 1761, aged 74. His epitaph says of him “that to a singular skill and honesty in his profession, a most active tenderness for the sick, an admirable sagacity in discerning the nature of diseases, and an uncommon success in removing them, he happily united the Christian and social virtues of a tender husband, an affectionate companion, and a faithful friend.” He was the father of the Bishop of St. David’s, who was born at Mr. Squire’s residence, and who is said to have been the only bishop to whom Warminster has given birth.

Near here, a brass plate records the name of Mr. John Bannister, who died in 1858, aged 80 years, and who was a member of the firm of Bannister, Phipps, and Biggs, who carried on business where the Wilts and Dorset Bank now stands in the Market Place. Mrs. Bannister, who died, aged 85, in 1871, is also commemorated upon this brass, which was erected by her only surviving daughter.

Crossing to the Chancel, we find upon the south wall, within the altar rails, a tablet to the memory of the Rev. Robert Herbert, who was curate of the parish for no less than forty years, and who died, we are told, “a Batchelor, esteemed and regretted by his many friends and parishioners.” He died in 1835, aged 75 years, and there are those still living who can remember his peculiar, old-fashioned style of dress, with knee-breeches, high boots, and long dependent tassels. He lived for many years in Silver Street, in the house now occupied by Mr. Watts.

Near here is the very curious inscription to the memory of Hester Potticary, daughter of Mr. Thomas Potticary, whose name, as churchwarden of the parish, still remains, with the date 1682, upon an old and disused chalice. Hester Potticary died in 1673, aged 24. The following is the inscription upon the stone:-

“God oft transplants His lovely flower
From the Church Garden here below,
Them to secure from heat and showers
In heavenly Paradise to grow.
Here rests a virgin’s earthly part,
Whom Winter overtook in Spring,
Whose soul, now freed from Satan’s dart,
We hope doth Hallelujah sing.
Let Persons in their younger years,
With her their Great Creator mind,
As they would be disarmed of fears,
When Death their outward man shall find.”

But the most curious part of the inscription upon this brass is the chronosticon, or chronogram, which follows these lines. A chronosticon, it may be explained, is a sentence ingeniously contrived in such a way that when all those letters which denote Roman numerals are extracted from it and added together, the result is found to be a certain date or sum. Thus in sentence:-

reX pIVs et greX Ver Vs Con DeMnant Vr InIqVe

(The righteous king and the true party are unjustly condemned).

We obtain the result by adding X, IV, X, V, V, C, D, M, V, I, I, and V together, 1648, in which year, according to the old method of reckoning, King Charles the First was executed. The chronosticon upon Hester Potticary’s tablet is as follows:-

pVre VesseLs of MerCy enIoy happIness WIth goD (1673).
Her age, 24:-
VertVe In her Is not WItherIng.

In the first of these, the date 1673, is obtained by adding together 5, 5, 50, 1000, 100, 1, 1, 10 (W being counted as V and V), 1, and 500. “Virtue in her is not withering,” gives the age of 24, by the adding together of V, V, I, I, V, V, I, and I. Most chronosticons, it may be observed, refer to the 17th century, during which they appear to have been very much in vogue. They are of frequent occurrence upon German medals of this period.

At the East end of the North Wall of the Chancel is a small brass plate, containing two inscriptions, one to the memory of Maria, the first wife of the Rev. Paul Lathom, Vicar of Warminster, 1656 – 1687, and the other to an infant daughter of his second wife, Elizabeth. Appended is the atrocious hexameter: “Vive memor leti; fugit hora; hoc quod loquer inde est.”

Paul Lathom is said to have been a famous preacher and a writer of considerable merit. He is one of the few vicars of the parish who have been presented to the Prebend of Warminster, and he is said to have been very frequently the preacher in Salisbury Cathedral. Upon one occasion it is related that the Bishop (Bishop Seth Ward) requested him to preach an important sermon at Oxford, whither he was obliged to proceed post-haste upon horse-back. He was three times married.

Adjoining is the oldest monumental inscription in the church – namely, that to the Rev. Walter Atwood, Vicar of the Parish for about a year, who died in 1635, aged only 33 years, and was buried in the church. The inscription states that he was the third son of John Atwood, Esq., of Littlebury, in the parish of Stanford Rivers, Essex. His monument is somewhat elaborately sculptured and illuminated, and, considering its age, it must be admitted that the very quaint and rubicund cherubs that are introduced, have preserved their conplexions remarkably well, whilst the gilding of their hair and wings is singularly fresh and untarnished.

Near by is a monument to a member of one of the oldest and most numerous families in Warminster – the Wansey family. The inscription is as follows:-

“To be cut off in the midst of a valuable and useful life is one of the mysteries of Divine Providence, which will be cleared up at the Resurrection of the Just. George Wansey, after a few days’ illness, died March 19th, 1807, aged 50 years. The love and esteem of all who knew him is the best testimony to his real character. The blessing of him that was ready to perish came upon him, and He caused the widow’s heart to sing for joy. (Frater ejus erexit).”

The latter part of the epitaph refers to the “Widows’ Gifts” Charity, left by Mr. Wansey. The sum that was bequeathed for this charity was £1,000, the interest of which was to be given, at Christmas, in fifty sums of £1 each, to fifty poor aged widows. Unfortunately, although the stock has been increased by accumulation to £1,250, the income of the charity only amounts to about £40 annually. Much might be written concerning the Wansey family, of which the most prominent figure, perhaps, is Major Henry Wansey, the valiant soldier of the Civil Wars of the 17th century, who, after doing invaluable service for the Parliamentary cause, threw his fortunes in with the Royalist Army when their prospects were desperate beyond redemption, and when he could not possibly have gained anything by his change of front, excepting the satisfaction of having acted according to conscientious convictions. Wansey’s Parliamentary standard, bearing the motto “For lawful laws and liberty,” was captured by Lord Goring (Royalist), near Knoyle. Major Wansey was killed, in action, soon after espousing the Royalist cause. Another notability of the same family was Mr. George Wansey, who lived in Warminster during the latter part of the 17th century, and who kept a voluminous diary, in which he chronicled many interesting events when the soldiery of James II were quartered in the town. He also lived to chronicle more peaceful times, for in one passage of his MS. we read as follows:-

“We in England are, blessed be God, in peace, and all things plenty. Wheat, the best about 3s. a bushel; barley, the best about 14s. a quarter; and the best beef and mutton twopence a pound.”

Mr. Henry Wansey, who died in Warminster in 1827, was a zealous local historian and antiquarian. The name of Wansey occurs in the Vestry records as early as 1564.

A brass plate near the Wansey tablet, commemorates several members of the Sloper family, viz. Simon Sloper, “decesed” 1636; his son William “desesed” 1651; and others whose names only are mentioned. Simon Sloper was once the owner of the Black Dog Woods, now a portion of the Longleat Estate, and these woods have sometimes been called “Sloper’s Woods.” He lived in a house now occupied by Mr. Bedford, in what is called Ash Walk. This walk so named from its leading to the residence of the Asheys, has also been called Sloper’s Walk.

Next we notice a tablet to the memory of the Rev. Dacre Youngson, a curate of the Church, who died in 1783, aged 37. He was a preacher of great ability and his early decease was justly accounted a loss to the Church in general as well as to the parish in which he had worked.

Next to this is a tablet monument to the memory of James Grant Filkes, who died in 1813, aged 64. His wife, who possessed the rather unfortunate name of Sally Filkes, is commemorated upon the same stone.

Adjoining is a handsome tablet memorial to Elizabeth the wife of Mr. Noah Chivers, a Magistrate and private gentleman of Bath, and the daughter of Mr. William Bleeck, of Warminster, uncle, we believe to the late Mr. Charles Bleeck. The inscription states that Mr. Chivers died in 1826, aged 79.

Next we come to a large tablet to several members of the Townsend family. Roger Townsend of Warminster, who died in 1730, aged 39 years, was a Professor of Music, and his grandson Roger erected this monument to his grandfather, father, and other relations, during the present century. He also gave, the inscription states “Three Pounds a year for ever, to the clerk, organist and choir of this parish, to sing the anthem from the 150th Psalm, as composed by him to whose memory this is erected, during Divine Service on Sunday immediately preceding Midsummer Day.” The fact really seems to have been that the money was bequeathed by Roger’s widow, Elizabeth Townsend, who died in 1820, and who no doubt left it acting upon her husband’s instructions. Neither the bequest nor the anthem seem to have been properly appreciated, for only thirteen years after the decease of Mrs. Townsend, the Charity Commissioners recommended that the money should be applied to other purposes, in as much as the choir were not competent to fulfil all the conditions of the testatrix. The anthem has not been sung for ten or twelve years, and upon the last occasion, when Mr. Spinney was organist, we believe in 1871, the music was altered very considerably. It is not in fact suited to modern taste.

On the same wall is an inscription to the memory of Mr. Thomas Davis, “who for more than thirty years was the zealous and faithful Steward of the Estates of the Marquis of Bath. He died 10th Dec., 1839, aged 62.” Mr. Davis was steward to the 2nd as well as to the present Marquis. His eldest son, Mr. Thomas Davis junior, who died in 1876, was also connected with the property of the Marquis of Bath, though not with the Longleat estates.

At the Western end of the north wall of the Chancel is a tablet in memory of Mr. Cuthbert Armstrong, who died in 1823, aged 84. Mr. Armstrong was a member of the Banking firm of Armstrong and King, whose premises were upon the site of the present Town Hall. An inscription is also placed upon this stone to the memory of Mrs. Cuthbert Armstrong who died in 1813, aged 69. Below is a brass tablet memorial to Mr. George Seagram, youngest son of John and Ann Frowd Seagram, of Warminster. He married Susannah, daughter of Mr. Cuthbert Armstrong, and died in 1864, aged 76. Mrs. George Seagram died in 1871, aged 96.

Amongst the flat stones at the East End of the floor of the Chancel, occurs the following rather ‘mixed’ epitaph: “Here lieth the body of Elizabeth wife of Edward Coward who is left to lament ye loss of ye best of wives and prepare to follow her who departed this life August 26th, 1742, aged 57.”

There is also a stone near here to the memory of William Wilton, Gent., who died in 1752. The following is the inscription:-

“He was descended from a respectable family situated for many generations in this town. In the middle part of his life he betook himself to the sea service, in which he made so great a proficiency that he was taken notice of by the two noble brothers, the Lords Vere and Aubrey Beauclerk, and by the latter in particular, who, for his advancement, recommended him to the command of a South Sea Sloop in the West Indies. At his return home, the Right Honourable Lord Viscount Weymouth was pleased to appoint him his House Steward, in which office he continued with great credit, and with the approbation of his Lord, for many years; who during his life, and at the time of his decease, most generously and nobly rewarded him for his faithful services.”

Other members of the family are commemorated upon this stone, and also in the churchyard. Wilton House, the residence of Mr. Henry White, derives its name from its having been occupied by this family.

On the South Chancel wall is an inscription to the memory of the Rev. Millington Massey Jackson, formerly of Dunham Massey, and 33 years Vicar of Warminster, and Rector of Kingston Deverill. He died in 1807, aged 70, having been Vicar of the Parish for a longer period than any other Vicar. It was during Mr. Jackson’s term of office that some rather amusing mistakes were made in the naming of some of the children brought to the church for baptism. On the 17th January, 1790, the following entry occurs in the register:-

“Charles, daughter of John and Betty Haines. This child ought to have been christened Charlotte, but owing to a mistake of the Sponsors it was wrong named.”

Again on the 31st July, in the next year we find the following:-

“William, daughter of William and Sarah Wriddick. N.B. It was intended that this child, being a girl, should have been christened Maria(!), but through a mistake of the Godfather, it was named William.”

It is a very singular coincidence that these two “mistakes on the part of the sponsors” should have happened within a few months of each other, and uncharitable people, who are fond of “putting two and two together” will probably feel inclined to think that the way in which the ceremony was conducted may have had something to do with the very awkward predicament into which these unfortunate children were placed. It would not, however, be fair to lay the blame upon the Vicar, or in those days when Vicars of one parish were Rectors of another, a very large proportion of the duties fell to the share of the curate.

Upon the South pier of the tower is an inscription in memory of the Rev. Michael Rowlandson, D.D., who died in 1824, after having been, for 19 years, the most popular Vicar of the Parish; also of his wife Rebecca who died at Croydon in 1867, at the advanced age of 91 years. Mrs. Rowlandson lived in Warminster for 30 years after Dr. Rowlandson’s death, and in the words of her epitaph, she gave her unwearied, zealous, and liberal personal support to every effort for God’s glory, and for the relief of human suffering and woe.

A brass plate adjoining bears the following inscription:-

“To the glory of God, and in affectionate memory of Arthur Fane, Prebendary of Sarum, and Vicar of this parish from 1841 to 1859. He left this life June 11th, 1872, and his body rests in the Churchyard of Boyton. As a shepherd of souls he had a power of arousing the careless; a faculty of attaching persons to himself, and thereby winning souls to his master; a strong sympathy with the poor in their sickness or their toil. By an intuitive knowledge of character, he could enter into the manifold duties of each and so draw them severally to the one fountain of peace. He that winneth souls is wise. This brass is placed here by some of the sons and daughters of toil, who knew the self-denying labours of his ministry.”

Canon Fane was the predecessor of the present Vicar, and the fact that this handsome memorial was placed here by subscriptions being limited to one shilling each, is evidence of the esteem in which he was held. Mr. Fane’s eldest son is Mr. Vere Fane Benett Stanford, of Pyt House.

Adjoining the tablet to Canon Fane’s memory, on the South West pier of the tower, is an inscription to the memory of the late Mrs. Francis Bennett, of Smallbrook, who died April 1839, aged 78. A brass below commemorates another Mrs. Francis Bennett, of Smallbrook, who died in 1657.

Over the reading desk is a stone in memory of “Michael Webb, Gent., who died July 10, 1780, aged 74, and lies interred on the other side of the Middle Isle.” (It is very evident that the writer of this epitaph was like many persons of the present day, ignorant of the fact that the word ‘aisle’ is derived from the French aile a wing, or more anciently aisle. Not only is the word spelt isle upon this stone, but the expression “middle isle” is used. The aisles of a church are the two wings or side portions, and to call the nave the “middle aisle” is palpable, though a very common error). Mr. Webb lived in what is now called Craven House, occupied by Mr. E.S. Mackrell. The memory of Mr. Webb’s name is preserved in the clock which is placed over the stabling of the house, and which is still called by some “Michael,” or “St. Michael.” The clock is now out of repair.

Charles Webb (d.1808), son of Mr. Michael Webb, and Elizabeth Massey, daughter (d.1794) are also commemorated here.

On the north east pier of the Tower is a brass plate, the only memorial in the Church that has any attempt at an effigy of the deceased. This plate contains the engraved figures of a mother and four children, kneeling before a desk. Below is an inscription to the memory of Elizabeth Carter, who died aged 33, Jan. 26th, 1649, four days before the execution of Charles I. Following is a stilted and uninteresting Latin inscription of eight lines.

Not far from here is a small stone with the following inscription:-

“Near this place are deposited the remains of Jane, third daughter of Joseph Bland, merchant of London, who died May 17th, 1799, aged 23 years.”

There is nothing in this to show what connection Miss Jane Bland had with Warminster, but tradition has assigned to this isolated tablet a singular and melancholy history. It is said that this lady was the sister of an officer in the army, and that his regiment was stationed in the town for a short time. The officer stayed at the Bath Arms Hotel, and whilst there his sister also visited the town, staying, according to the story, at the premises now occupied by Mr. Coates. Whilst here, it is stated, that by some means or other she was suddenly apprised of the quite unexpected death of her lover, also an officer in the army. So affected was she by this news that she is said to have taken to her bed, pined away, and died. This little story is rather more interesting than probable but it is, as far as we know, the only explanation of the stone that is to be met with.

Proceeding now to the North Aisle we find a brass “to the memory of John Butt, surgeon of this town, who died May 19, 1808, aged 73. Also of John Butt, his son, who died Dec. 16, 1821, aged 58.” Mr. Butt’s surgery was at the premises now used as the Warminster Herald Printing Offices, in the Market Place. He was succeeded in his practice, we believe, by the late Mr. G. Vicary.

On the wall of the aisle, is a handsome brass, inscribed as follows:-

“To the glory of God, and in loving remembrance of Charles Bleeck, M.R.C.S. of England, who, born in 1805 in this town, practised here for nearly half a century, gaining the love of all. He died Feb. 4th, 1878, and was interred in the Parish Churchyard. Chiefly by the efforts of the poor, this tablet is erected specially as their grateful tribute to his unvarying kindness and sympathy for them in every hour of need. All classes alike deplore the loss of a generous hearted friend, who grudged no pain to promote the interests of his native town. Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.”

This brass, which is of very substantial workmanship, and is engraved with great care, cost upwards of £17, and was paid for by subscription. The contributions were limited to a shilling with a minimum of a penny, and consisted principally of sixpences and fourpenny pieces, the total amount being collected within one year of Mr. Bleeck’s burial.

Adjoining is a stone to the memory of Richard Samuel Wyche, who died Jan. 14, 1790, aged 67; his wife Mary, who died July 3, 1801, aged 76; Ann Webb, her sister, who died Dec. 6, 1813, aged 87; Edward Butt, who died 1850, aged 65; and M.A. Wyche, died Mar. 13, 1852, aged 88. The five names commemorated on this one stone give the rather extraordinary average of 76 years, the total number of years being 382.

The next tablet also contains some rather remarkable instances of longevity. It gives the names of a mother and son whose combined ages amount to 180, each living to be 90 years of age. The former was born in 1724 and the latter died in 1854, so that the two lives extended over 130 years. The inscription is as follows:-

“Sacred to the memory of Stephen Hunt who died Mar. 24, 1773, aged 52, and Jane his widow, who died Dec. 30, 1814, aged 90. Also of Thomas their son, who died in infancy; also of Jane daughter of S. and Mary Hunt, and grandaughter [sic] of the above, aged 4; also of Mary wife of S. Hunt, who died 1842, aged 74; also of Stephen Hunt, who died May 9, 1854, aged 90.”

The Hunts were brewers and maltsters of Warminster, and lived in East Street, at premises now occupied by Mr. Wise, coachbuilder.

A brass plate near this spot records the name of James Boor, formerly of Warminster, who died in London, in 1851 aged 55; of his first wife, his widow, and his three children. Mr. Boor was one of the first to act in the capacity of Clerk to the Warminster Board of Guardians.

Near here are several tablets to the memory of members of the Shoare family. John Shoare, who died in 1777, aged 68 years, lived, we believe, in Vicarage Street, in the house now occupied by Mr. P. Grubb. The inlaid marble tablet to Charlotte Shoare, is said to have been the most costly monument in the Church.

We next come to an inscription to the memory of Elizabeth, wife of Jeremiah Cruse, born 19th Nov. 1783, died 1840. Also of Jeremiah Cruse, who died in 1861, aged 80. Mr. Cruse’s family, which is still represented in Warminster by his immediate descendants, was originally settled in Devonshire, where the name is still well known. The Western Antiquary, published in January, 1882, gives an account of a tablet to the memory of two members of the family in Ashburton Church, and, we believe, that the two brothers commemorated were ancestors of Mr. Cruse of Warminster. The quaintness of the epitaph upon this monument must serve as our excuse for giving the inscription:- “Here lyeth the bodys of Thomas Cruse, gent., who was heere interred the 28th of April, 1642, and George Cruse, gent., who was also interred the 8th January, 1649. Within this Vrne two brothers here confined, Though by death parted, yet by death close joynd; The eldest of these two, placed in his roome, Greeted the younger with a well come home; They liv’d, they lou’d, and now they rest in tombe, Together sleepinge in their mother’s womb.”

Above are the arms of the Cruse family:- Azure; a bend indented, point in point, gules and sable, between six escallops, or.

Near here are commemorated Thomas Webb (d.1770), Elizabeth Webb (d.1732), their son Thomas (d.1728), and other members of the family.

Not far from here is a brass to the memory of John Butler, Edward Butler (d.1788), and others of the same family. The Butlers lived in Pound Street, in a house now used as a malthouse.

On the west wall of the Church is a tablet with the following inscription:-

“In memory of John Langley, Esq., who died 14th Sept., 1799, aged 92 years. He was a liberal benefactor to the poor of this parish.”

Very few people, probably, saw so much of the 18th century as Mr. Langley. His family was one of considerable antiquity in the town, and occurs in the parish records early in the 17th century. An old chalice belonging to the church, and dated 1682, bears the name of John Langley as one of the churchwardens. It appears, however, that the John Langley commemorated by this tablet favoured the Nonconformist interest in the town. He bequeathed £400 to the Trustees of the Old Meeting House, in Meeting House Lane, with the proviso that the interest should be given, every Christmas Day, to persons attending public worship there. It was added, however, that “if the Dissenting interest there shall in process of time so far decline that there shall not be any congregation assembled, nor any pastor kept,” the money was to be transferred for supplying annually sixty-four poor parishioners of Warminster, with the sum of 5s. each. The old meeting house did in time fall into disuse, and the funds were applied as provided. Mr. Langley also left £1,000 each to the Vicar, churchwardens, and overseers of the parish, the interest to be distributed annually to the poor in sums of 5s. Mr. Langley lived in Church Street, in a house recently occupied by Mr. George White. He was uncle to Mr. Temple, who inherited from him the Bishopstrow estate. Several stones in the floor of the nave have inscriptions to the memory of other members of the Langley family. The old Bishopstrow family of Bayly are also commemorated here by several stones, including one to William Bayly, who died in 1772, aged 63.

Near the font is buried Samuel Pikeman, who died in 1730, and who, we are told, “in the several relations, a Husband, a Father, and a Friend, was affectionate, tender, and sincere, universally beloved, and equally lamented by all that knew him.”

On the west wall is a tablet to the memory of John Maskelyn, gent., who died 1790; and adjoining is one to George Lye, Esq., a magistrate of Bath, who died in 1826, aged 75. He lived for some years at Boreham, and was, we believe, related to the Seagram family.

Here we must conclude our brief survey of the “writing on the walls.” If it cannot claim to possess any very general or very absorbing interest at least it must be allowed that it is not without a message of warning and instruction for all, a message not like that of old, “hard to be read and difficult of interpretation,” but one which may be appreciated and laid to heart by the poorest and most illiterate, as well as by the most learned, or the most wealthy.