Area E and Clusters j to o

Overview

Area E is the large area at the back of church that is now mainly grassed over (figure 1). In the region a large number of old and unmarked burials were uncovered during an archaeological investigation on the 1980s, including a possible Anglo Saxon crouched burial. The graves that are visible are in good condition and the inscriptions in general quite readable, with only a few that however cannot be identified. The headstones that have been placed in clusters are in general readable and in acceptable condition, with only a few that are not identifiable (figure 2). The exception is Cluster l – those headstones that have been placed around the west and south walls of the churchyard contain a number that cannot be identified, but also a significant number that were not listed in either the 1967 or the BMSGH survey. The Burial Register of the 1940s and 1950s indicates, at least during that period, the bodies of infants were buried in unmarked graves “to the south of the church” i.e. in Area E.

Figure 1. Area E

Cluster j Cluster k

Cluster l

Cluster m Cluster n

Cluster o

Figure 2. Clusters j, k, l, m, n and o

The very dry weather of July and August 2022 revealed the extent of the archaeological excavation described above through variation in grass cover (figure 3), and also the now grassed over path through this area that was visible in 1967 that extended through areas AB, D and E (figure 4). Cluster j contains some headstones that have been built into a somewhat unsightly bench structure, which is very noticeable if not terribly aesthetic!

Figure 3. Extent of archaeological excavation

Figure 4 Path visible in 1967 survey from Areas AB and D, as seen in the very dry weather of Summer 2022

Figure 5. Bench structure

Notable graves and monuments

  • The chest tomb of Edward Jackson from the 1770s, situated very prominently just to the south of church. This tomb was, remarkably considering its size and prominence, not identified in either the 1967 survey or that of 1984.
  • The similar tomb of Jesson Mason and his family also from the 1770s, somewhat further south.
  • The rather dilapidated but very old Mieson grave that probably dates from around the same period, but could be rather earlier.
  • The imposing Parr family memorial – Thomas Gnossall Parr was a 19th century Perpetual Curate and Rector from 1828 to 1868 and died in post, just two weeks after being appointed the first Rector of the parish.
  • Cluster o contains the oldest gravestone in the churchyard – that of William Clarke, clerk of the church in the seventeenth century and his son, another William. Unfortunately, this can no longer be located.

Jackson grave Mason grave

Mieson grave Parr grave

Figure 6. Notable graves and monuments in Section E