Atherington Ledger Stones and Mural Monuments
Gravestone

Atherington Ledger Stones and Mural Monuments

Here are a few of the ledger stones and mural monuments found inside the church of St Mary's, Atherington. Some of the photographs appear courtesty of Irene and Ralph Clucus.
Gravestone SACRED to the memory of the
Revd George Burgess, Rector of the Parish of
Atherington upwards of 30 years.
Died 11th June 1829, at the age of 64.
Elizabeth his beloved wife,
who was buried 23rd September 1823, aged 49.
And four of their Children, who all died in
the short space of a fortnight
of a malignant fever then raging in this Parish
Cecilia, was buried 24th July aged 4 years.
Emma, on the 31st of the same month at the age of 13.
Augustus, on the 6th of August aged 8 years. &
George William, on the 6th August 1816, at the age of 6.
This Monument was erected by the surviiving
Children Eleanora, wife of Mr J. Westlake, and
Elizabeth, Ann Lucy, & Matilda Burgess 1832.
Eleven children were buried at Atherington during the summer of 1816, including the four children of George BURGESS and Elizabeth CHAPPELL. George married Elizabeth, the daughter of James CHAPPELL and Margery, at Northam, Devon on 29 Nov 1796. Elizabeth was baptised at Northam on 11 Oct 1774.

George and Elizabeth's first two children, Eleanora and Elizabeth, were baptised at Heanton Punchardon on 21 Nov 1798 and 24 Jun 1801 respectively. The remaining children, with the exception of Augustus, were baptised at Atherington: Emma on 1 Apr 1804, Ann Lucy on 20 Jul 1808, George William on 24 Sep 1811, Cecilia on 9 Jun 1812, and Matilda on 23 Jun 1814.

Eleanora BURGESS married John WESTLAKE at Atherington on 28 Apr 1825.

George BURGESS was buried at Atherington on 16 Jun 1829.
Gravestone

Gravestone

Gravestone
Sacred to the Memory
of SARAH, the beloved Wife of the
Rev. ROB. CHICHESTER Vicar of Chittlehampton
She died at Ilfracombe on the 31st of August,
And was buried in this Church, on the 10th of Sept. 1825
Religion was the directing principle of her Mind,
And adorned it with those virtues and graces
Which enable her to perform all the duties
Of a pious Christian an affectionate Wife
A tender Mother and a sincere Friend
"When the ear heard her, then it blessed her,"
For she relieved the distressed and comforted the afflicted.
Her attached husband and children,
To perpetuate the remembrance
Of a Wife and Parent, most deservedly dear to them,
Have erected this tablet,
As a lasting tribute of their affection and esteem.
Also to AMY, daughter of the above named
ROBERT and SARAH CHICHESTER
who died in the faith and fear of God;
The 26th day of June 1863,
Aged 81 years.



UNDERNEATH
this stone were deposited
on the tenth day of Sepr
1825 the remains of SARAH
CHICHESTER wife of
ROBERT CHICHESTER Vicar
of Chittlehampton
ALSO
the Remains of The Revd
ROBERT CHICHESTER
Vicar of Chittlehampton
who died the 23rd of November
1841 AGED 89 YEARS
The Revd CHARLES CHICHESTER
B:D: died April 13th 1842
Aged 56 Years.



This tablet is erected as a tribute of affection,
To perpetuate the remembrance
Of a much loved father and brother
The Revd ROBERT CHICHESTER, M.A.
Thirty eight years vicar of Chittlehampton
Who died the 23rd day of November 1841, aged 89 years.

And the Revd CHARLES CHICHESTER, B.D.
Prebendary of the Cathedral Church of Exeter
And Rector of West Worlington
Who died the 13th day of April 1842, aged 56 years.

Sarah CAWSEY, the daughter of Robert CAWSEY (1722-1765) and Jane LOVEBAND (1730-1815), was baptised at Atherington on 13 Feb 1758. She married Robert CHICHESTER, son of Charles CHICHESTER (1722-1798) and Amy INCLEDON (? -1782), at Atherington on 11 Jul 1781. Robert was baptised at Bishop's Tawton on 1 Apr 1752 and was buried at Atherington on 2 Nov 1841.

Amy CHICHESTER, daughter of Robert CHICHESTER and Sarah CAWSEY, was baptised at Atherington on 22 Jul 1782 and was buried on 2 Jul 1863. Her brother, Charles CHICHERSTER, died at Swimbridge, Devon and was buried at Atherington on 21 Apr 1842.
Gravestone M.S.
Near this place lyeth
the body of MR Anthony
Snell yeoman of Bartridge
in this Parish who died ye 10th
day of August 1707 in the 79th
year of his age
Anthony SNELL married Joanne MORRISH (? -1679) at South Molton on 9 Dec 1656. Five daughters and a son were baptised at Atherington. Anthony was buried at Atherington on 13 Aug 1707.
Ledger Stone HERE
Is deposited what Remains of
BEAPLE YEO A.B. Rector of
This Church Who Suddenly
Departed this Life the 18th Day
Of June 1764 Aged 44
Be Ye also ready for in such an
Hour as Ye think not of the
Son of Man cometh
Beaple YEO, the son of William YEO and Ann, was baptised at Northam, Devon on 8 Jun 1720. He attended Exeter College, Oxford, and received a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1742. Beaple YEO was Rector of St Mary's Atherington from 1760 until his death. He was buried at Atherington on 21 Jun 1764.
Gravestone Sacred to the Memory
of MARY FRAINE
Native of Yarnscombe
who Departed this Life
the 4th day of Decr 1835
Aged 79 Years
Reader prepare to meet thy God
Mary was buried at Atherington on 8 Dec 1835.
Gravestone In Memory of
William Andrew of this Parish
who departed this Life the 18th day
of May in the Year of our Lord 1817
Aged 86 Years
Blessed are the Dead that die in the Lord
William ANDREW died at Huntshaw, Devon, and was buried at Atherington on 31 May 1817.
Ledger Stone Here lyeth ye body
of Barbara the
wife of Mr Phillip
Chichester who
was buried the
first day of Novembrr
1644
Barbara was the wife of Philip CHICHESTER (1559-1640), seventh son of Robert CHICHESTER (1515-1563) and Helena ACLAND.
Chest Tomb

Chest Tomb
Here lie ye bodies of ye Right Worshipful and Worthy Knight, Sir Arthur Bassett and Elianora his wife, daughter of Sir John Chichester of Rawleigh... the 2nd April 1586. The latter buried the 10th July 1585... behind them 5 sonnes and 2 daughters. Requiescant in pace.

He that is three in one and one in three,
First made us two, then one, this one were wee,
One love, one life we lived, one year, one death
Rocked us asleepe by borrowing but our breath.
Grave the bed that holds us both, the stone
(That) hides us covert, the bed is one,
One Heaven contains our souls, one trumpte one day,
(Will) raise our bodies from this bed of clay.
Death which useth others to dissever,
(Hath) once united us forever"
Sir Arthur BASSETT, the son of John BASSETT (? -1541) and Frances PLANTAGENET, was born in 1541. He was MP for Barnstaple in 1563 and Devon in 1572. He was Sheriff of Devon in 1574-5 and was knighted in 1575. He served as JP for Devon from 1569 to his death in Exeter from Gaol Fever in 1586. He married Elianora CHICHESTER, daughter of Sir John CHICHESTER (? -1569) and Gertrude COURTENAY (? - 1566) of Raleigh in the parish of Pilton, Devon.

This ledger stone was originally located in nearby Umberleigh Chapel but was moved to St Mary's when the chapel was demolished in the early 19th century. In addition to the inscription, the worn slate slab displays the arms of Bassett impaling Chichester.
Ledger Stone M.S.
Reverendi Gulielmi Mervin
Collegii Exonien olim socii
S.T.B.
Tam Clare Portionis in Tiverton
Quam hujus ce Ecclesiæ
Rectoris
Dorotheam Revdi Gawen Hayman
de Southpool Filiam duxit
Obiit Decem. 17o die A.D. 1759
Æt: 77.
William MERVIN, the son of Jonas MERVIN (? -1693) and Margaret BILLINGS, was Rector of Atherington from 1728 until his death. In November 1736 he married Dorothy HAYMAN, daughter of the Rev. Gawen HAYMAN (? -1739) and Dorothy (? -1747). William was buried at Atherington on 22 Dec 1759.
Ledger Stone

Sacred
to the memory of
ELEANOR BEER
wife of the late
John Beer of this Parish
who Died on the 31st day
of Decr in the Year of our Lord
1859
Aged 73 Years
You that have longer here to say
Repent in time make no delay
Short notice to you may be given
Therefore prepare your souls for Heaven
Eleanor WEBBER, the daughter of John WEBBER (1750-1822) and Mary GALLIFORE (1756-1831), was baptised at Landkey, Devon on 16 Nov 1788, and was buried at Atherington on 7 Jan 1860. She married John BEER (1791-1853), son of James BEER (1765-1821) and Anne DOWN (1761-1839), at Atherington on 31 Mar 1817.
Mural Monument Sacred
to the memory of
Rear Admiral WILLIAM ARTHUR, C.B.
son of the late Revd James Arthur
Rector of Atherington North Devon
Died November 15th1886
Aged 56 years
Entered the Royal Navy 1845
Seved in the Maori War 1845-47, Medal
Served in the Kaffir War 1851-52, Medal
Served in the Baltic Expedition 1854, Medal
Served in the Crimean Campaign 1855, Medal
Clasp and Turkish Medal
Served in the China War of 1857-1860, Medal
and two clasps
During this war he was twice wounded
He subsequently received the gold
medal from the Chinese Goverment
in recognition of active services
rendered by him in 1873
Was Naval Attache at Washington
USA 1879-1882
"Peace be still"
Erected by
his devoted, sorrowing wife
Mary J. Arthur, née Le Mesurier
2 Sam XII 23
William ARTHUR, son of James ARTHUR (1797-1878) and Mary Judd Brent BURNARD (1796-1884), was born at Atherington on 4 Jul 1830, baptized at Atherington on 9 Sep 1830, died at Egham, Surrey on 15 Nov 1886, and was buried at Atherington on 19 Nov 1886. William joined the Royal Navy in 1845, served as an officer on several different vessels during the Crimean War and the Second Opium War, and was captain of numerous ships including the ironclad HMS Iron Duke from 1871 to 1875. An identical marker was placed in St Ann's, Portsmouth, Hampshire.
Mural Monument Obitum magistim Lodovi Vicary
____ Eccelsiæ nuper Rector qui___
_____Emigravis 3o did Februa______
& Ætatis Suæ 64
Et Janæ Uxoris suæ Charissime qu__
obijt __ die Decembris Annos Nata 55
Anno Dom. 1662
[Latin epitaph]
Oh love, how strong dost thou tie knots
That death can't solve them with his plots,
Death with thy sting, t' hast lost thine art,
For man and wife thou can'st not part.
True love made us one to live and die,
Our bodys rest below, our souls on high.
[Latin epitaph]
Lewis VICARY, Rector of Atherington, was buried on 5 Feb 1662. His wife Jane was buried on 17 Dec 1662.

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