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MONUMENTAL INSCRIPTIONS OF

S E A V I N G T O N   S T   M A R Y  S O M E R S E T

 112 memorials, 1587 - 1997

Recorded, indexed and copyright by Sir Mervyn Medlycott, 2003.

 

SURNAME INDEX (reference number(s) of memorial descriptions below, not page numbers)

AMERY: 87
ANDREW: 89
ASHFORD: 23

BARKWORTH: 70
BARTLETT: 18
BILLING: 106
BLUNDY: 71
BONNING: 8, 9, 13 & 33
BRAKE: 64
BULLEN: 5
BURRIDGE: 107
BURROWS: 105

CHAP(P)EL: 20
CHICK: 35
CORNISH: 24 & 27
CURTIS: 62

DENING: 81
DERRICK: 53
DOBLE: 72
DONNE: 17
DRAYTON: 4
DUNELL: 100

ENGLAND: 20, 21 & 80

FAULKNER: 91
FOURACRE: 92 & 93

GALE: 45
GILLINGHAM: 59 & 60
GOLLEDGE: 50
GUMMER: 4

HANDLEY: 47 & 57
HARDING: 31, 32 & 34
HARRIS: 40b & 58
HAWKER: 54 & 58
HAWKINS: 4 & 85
HODGES: 23, 51 & 102
HOLE: 98
HORTE: 26
HUTCHIN(G)S (Hutchin, Hutchens): 14, 28, 36-38, 41 & 42

IRELAND: 94

JACOBS: 78 & 99
JAMES: 95
JEFFERY: 68, 69 & 76
JEWELL: 49

KNOWLS: 29

LANGDON: 103
LEMAN: 90
LUKINS: 104

MADGE: 52
MALE: 75
MARSH: 65
MICHEL: 16

NAISH: 1, 19, 25, 39, 40a, 43 & 44
NAPPER: 84
NUTTING: 48

OLD: 15

PHELPS: 111
POOLE: 86
POWERS: 2 & 108
PRYOR: 79
PYM: 15

RENDALL: 101
RIDLEY: 82 & 83
ROACH: 86
ROWS(W)ELL: 3, 56 & 96

SCOTT: 4, 12, 109 & 112
SPILLER: 88
SPURDLE: 4
SWAIN: 61, 63, 66 & 67

TAYLOR: 4
TEMPLEMAN: 81
TUCKER: 55

UPHILL: 17
VAUX: 46 & 97
VOWLES: 110

WALTERS: 83
WEAVER: 6
WILLS: 73 & 74
WITHERELL: 30
WYATT: 77

(for most post-1837 memorials exact wording is not given on stones, but genealogical abstracts, giving all information in a concise form. Exact  wording is however given for all pre-1837, and some other memorials, which are in double inverted commas, in most instances with obliques ‘/’ indicating the ends of lines).

Memorials post-dating 1980 have been omitted.

(there are no memorials recorded here in Collinson’s “History of Somerset” (1791)).

 

ST MARY’S CHURCH

The parishes of Seavington St. Mary and Seavington St. Michael shared the same Rector from the mid-19th.century, and were combined into one parish in 1913. In 1983 the combined parish chose to continue to use Seavington St. Michael church only, and Seavington St. Mary church was declared redundent and taken into the care of the Redundent Churches Board, now called the Churches Preservation Trust. The churchyard at Seavington St. Mary however continues in use as a civil cemetery in the parish. Although the structure of the church is now in good condition, it does not enjoy the ‘tender loving care’ of parishioners which characterises churches in regular use. The churchyard in particular is neglected with minimal mowing, and elder, nettles and brambles encrouching on the memorials, whilst the church interior is dusty, with much evidence of some interior fitments having been removed, presumably to St. Michael’s church, particularly in the chancel. The pews, pulpit and font in the nave however remain.  The church, comprising a chancel, nave, west tower and south porch is mediaeval, but with some Victorian alterations carried out in 1880-82.
The parish burial register only starts in 1741, with some years surviving for BTs back to 1598. A number of churchyard memorials predate 1741 for years in which the BTs do not survive. The earliest is a chest tomb for 1587.

CHURCH INTERIOR

Chancel

1). Stained glass east window. “To the glory of God this window/ was erected by the Reverend H. NAISH / Vicar, in memory of the Naish family/ for many years residents in this parish” (no date, the printed church guide says this was installed here in the 1930s).

2). Metal Plaque, mounted on wood, on north wall. “In ever loving memory of/ James POWERS / who served this church as/ chorister and bellringer/ from 1907 to 1954 / Erected by his loving/ wife and son”.

Nave

3). White on grey marble Tablet on north wall. “Sacred to the memory of/ Mr: Arthur Hood ROWSELL, a Midshipman of/ His Majesty’s ship ‘Thetis’ who died a victim to his/ exertions on shore at Cape Coast Castle on the/ coast of Africa when that place was attacked by the/ enemy the Ashantees in August 1824, aged 22 years/ This monument was erected by/ Captain Sir John PHILLIMORE, K.C.B., and the/ officers of the above ship as a testimony of/ their regard for his character as an officer and/ a gentleman, and for his general good conduct/ zeal and activity on all occasions in the/ execution of his duty”.

4). Large brass Plaque, mounted on wood, on north wall. “Erected by the/ parishioners of Seavington/ in proud memory of our/ fallen comrades/ who gave their lives for their/ King and Country/ in the Great War of/ 1914 – 1919:/ Pte: J. DRAYTON, Glos: Regt:/ Gnr: J. GUMMER, R.F.A./ Pte: A. HAWKINS, R.F./ Pte: W. HAWKINS, Som: L.I./ Pte: G. SCOTT, M.M., K.O.Y.L.I./ Pte: G.W. SCOTT, K.O.Y.L.I./ Pte: G. SPURDLE, R.M.L.I./ Pte: J. TAYLOR, Som: L.I.”.(Note; a duplicate of this war memorial is also to be seen in Seavington St. Michael church. I have given the full details here, but omitted them in my copies of Seavington St. Michael memorials. There were presumably no casualties in the 1939-45 World War)

5). Floorslab (so badly flaked that an exact transcription cannot be made, as so much is missing) Appears to commemorate a Richard, son, and a daughter, forename illegible, of …… BULLEN, Richard Bullen died in March …..  aged 20, whilst the daughter died aged 36. Also another Bullen, deathdate and age illegible. (clearly 18th.century. PR: is defective as it only records one Bullen, 1741-1830, namely “Mr: Richard Bullen, senr:” buried 22 March 1786).

The badly flaked floorslab, now in the nave, is recorded in full by Rack (Somerset Heritage Centre, A/AQP ... ) (words in bold are all that is now legible) as:

“Under the east window in the chancel is a mural monument of black stone”. “Here underneath lye the bodies of Wm: & Betty, son & daughter of Richd: & Eliz BULLEN Wm: died March 28, 1768, aged 20 years. Betty dyed Dec: 12, 1775, aged 36 years. Also Eliz: the wife of Richd: Bullen, died Dec 28, 1775, ag: 61. Here lies the mortal part of a beloved wife, Prudent in all her conduct here in life, A tender mother, faithful consort here, Lamented by her spouse & children dear” (PR: defective, none of these given 1741-85).

6). Small brass Plate on priest’s chair. “In memory of/ Rev: F.W. WEAVER/ Rector 1954 – 1962”.

7). Inscribed on wooden hand bier. “I.K.H? 1694”.

(the west tower and porch contain no memorials)

 

CHURCHYARD

East of the Church

8). Headstone and kerb. on headstone: Jeffery Brian BONNING, died 25 Nov 1958, aged 20. on kerb: Jeffery Charles Bonning, died 10 Dec 1989, aged 76.

9). Headstone and kerb. on headstone: Elizabeth Annie BONNING, died 20 Dec 1938, aged 65. And her husband, William Bonning, died 15 Oct 1967, aged 88. on kerb: Ada Annie Bonning, died 5 Oct 1988, aged 82.

10). Small Headstone (no date, modern). “R.B.”.

11). Small Headstone (no date, modern). “J.B.”.

12). Headstone and kerb. ‘my husband’ Frederick Arthur SCOTT, died 8 April 1963, aged 62. And ‘a dear wife’ Lenah May, died 28 Feb 1982, aged 77.

13). Headstone. Harold John BONNING, died 26 May 1966, aged 63.

 

South of the Church

 
(recorded in rows from east to west, starting at the eastern boundary and continuing to level with the west wall of the tower. At that point this area only continues on the south side of the paved pathway between the south porch and the entrance gates at the south-west corner of the churchyard).

(Omitted are three old illegible headstones, a chest tomb which only has some latin verses legible on a south panel, and the top of a chest tomb which has lost it’s side panels and therefore bears no inscription. These are all located south-east of the south porch. Also omitted is one modern flower holder on which most of the lead lettering has fallen out, and I could not decipher who it commemorated, being roughly due south of the church tower)

14). Headstone and kerb (engulfed in brambles, which I cut back).  Mary E. HUTCHINGS, died 21 Jan 1951, aged 78.

14a) Headstone: Peace/In loving memory of/JOHN HARRIS/who departed this life 6th December 1935/aged 69years/Also of JAMES HARRIS/who died October 21st 1872 aged 33/And AMELIA wife of JAMES HARRIS/who died August 20th 1899/Aged 60 years/ (parents of the Above named JOHN HARRIS.  ‘BLESSED ARE THE DEAD WHICH DIE IN THE LORD. [This headstone was originally omitted by Sir Mervyn Medicott in 2003 for reasons unknown and is therefore not contained in the PDF attachements to this record.  Our thanks for Bev Bonning for bringing this to our attention. Ed].

15). Headstone (surmounted by a cross). Susan, wife of Tom PYM, died 13 Feb 1910, aged 46. And her mother, Elizabeth OLD, died 31 Jan 1919, aged 76.

16). Headstone. “Here lieth the body of/ Joan, wife of James/ MICHEL, who died April ye 21?/ 1740, aged 47 years/ Here also lieth ye body of/ Mary, daughter of James/ and Joan Michel, who died/ Decem: ye 7?, 1738, in the 17th./ year of her age”.

17). Headstone (in two columns). left-hand column: “Here lieth ye body/ of Hugh DONNE / who dyed May the/ 18, 1744, aged 30 / Here lieth the body/ of Hugh Griffen/Donne, son of Hugh/ and Anne Donne/ who dyed April the/ 25, 1753, aged 15 / years”.  right-hand column: “In memory of/ Ann UPHILL?/ heretofore the/ widow of the late/ Hugh Donne, who/ departed this life/ July the 31st. 1779 / aged 74 years/ (4 lines of verses all the way across the bottom)” (last person not given in PR; clearly defective).

18). Small Headstone. “In/ memory of/ Thomas BARTLETT, who died/ April 24, 1750, aged 62 years/ Cease relations; weep no more/ I am not lost, but gone before”.

19). Headstone (surmounted by a cross. lying flat on the ground, face-upwards). Thomas NAISH, of Seavington Abbott, died 8 Sept 1883, in his 51st. year. And his widow, Anna Maria Naish, died 8 March 1890, in her 50th. year. “This stone was erected by their 8 sorrowing children in affectionate remembrance”.

20). Headstone (badly flaking and crumbling). “(several lines flaked)/ Asen… …APPLE, died ………. 183- / 30 of ……./ servant? of the family? …../ Edward ENGLAND, Esquire/ who have erected this tablet? in testimony/ of their grateful recollection? (of the)./ exemplary faithfulness with which she/ discharged the duties of her station/ and of the esteem with which/ they cherish her memory” (PR: clearly “Asenath CHAPEL, of Stapleton” buried 11 July 1833, aged 65).

21). Headstone. Caroline ENGLAND, widow of John England, Esq: of Seavington St. Michael, died 27 April 1880, at Leamington, aged 74. And her daughter, Caroline Mary, died May 1839, aged 7 years and 6 months.

22). Pair of displaced Footstones. “C.D./ 1901” and “C.D./ 1905” (see no.81).

23). Large flat Ledger stone (the wording is rather oddly arranged in two columns, the left-hand having names and dates and the right-hand giving additional details, which I have rearranged in a more coherent form. There is also wording around the edge). in centre columns: “Charlotte Elizabeth HODGES, eldest daughter of the late Joseph Hodges, of West Newton, North Petherton, who died June XIX (19) 1870, aged 52. Richard Hodges, of Seavington St. Mary, died Feby: 1833, aged 79. Sarah Hodges, wife of the above, died Jany: 1829, aged 82. Joseph Hodges, their son, late of West Newton, died Jany: XXVII (27) 1839, aged 53. Richard Hodges, son of the above (presumably Joseph), died at Weston super Mare, June 11, 1853, aged 36” (PR: first Richard Hodges buried 19 Feb 1833; Sarah Hodges, buried 24 Jan 1827 – rechecked stone, but definitely, though presumably erroniously, given as “Jany: 1829”). Around the edge: “This monument is erected by Mary Anne ASHFORD of Moorland House, nr: Bridgewater, in affectionate remembrance of her beloved sister and also of the memory of those whose remains lie near this spot”.

24).  Displaced Headstone (lying face-up on a pile of stones. However examination of a drawing of the church and churchyard by Buckler of 1832, almost certainly indicates this was originally located about 2 metres north-west of it’s present location between headstone no.27 and the south wall of the church, as no.27 is a memorial to his wife). “Here lies the body of/ Hugh CORNISH, who died ye/ 13 of Octob: 1715, aged 62 / (4 lines of verses)”.

25). Small Headstone. “Here lieth ye body/ of Jone, the wife/ of Thomas NAISH / who died April ye 18?/ 1727, aged 69”.

26). Headstone (worn). “Here lyeth the/ body of Elizabeth/ HORTE?, who dyed/ the 18th? of August/ in the (year of our) Lord/ God 1738?”.

27). Headstone. “Here lieth the body/ of Mary, the wife of/ Hugh CORNISH, who/ departed this life the/ 12th. of July, Ano: 1710”.

28). Chest Tomb (south, north and east panels are blank). west panel: “Nicholas HUTCHIN / He was buried the/ 4 day of August / Ano: Domini 1587”.

29). Small Headstone. “Here lyeth/ the body of/ John KNO / WLS, who was/ buried the 17 / day of July/ Ano: Dom: 1671 / aged 30 yers” (note: the surname is “Knowls” partly on two lines).

30). Headstone (in two columns. worn). left-hand column: “Here lieth/ the body/ of Joane WITHER / ELL, who died/ March 23d. 1726 / aged about 59”. right-hand column: “Also here lieth/ ye body of Hugh/ Witherell, who/ died Jany: ye 7th?/ 1723, aged 76 / years/ (2 lines of verses)”. (note: surname is “Witherell” partly on two lines)

31). Large Headstone (in two columns. very worn). left-hand column: “Sacred/ to the memory of/ Thomas HARDING / who departed this life/ August 14, 1838 / aged 73 years/ Also of Mary / daur: of the above, who/ died April 27, 1822 / aged 13 years/ Also of William/ son of the above who/ died January 14, 1834 / aged 30 years/ Also of Joseph/ son of the above who/ died ….. 29, 1834 / aged 24 years/ Also of James/ son of the above who/ died August 16, 1837 / aged 25 years” (PR: Mary wasn’t buried here; Joseph buried 3 Jan 1835). right-hand column: “In/ memory of/ Anna Harding / the wife of/ Thomas Harding/ who died ….. 9, 1816, aged 47 years/ (12 lines probably of verses)” (PR: buried 17 Nov 1816, aged 47).

32). Headstone and Flower Holder (this headstone is facing no.31 in the other direction. It seems she chose to be buried in the same plot as the people on no.31. Whether this indicates a relationship to them, I don’t know).  on headstone:  Dorcas Rebecca HARDING, born 29 Aug 1852, died 26 July 1949, “her 96 years spent in this parish”. on flower holder: Dorcas R. Harding, died 26 July 1949.

33). Flower Holder. Kathleen Livesey BONNING, died 22 Aug 1955, aged 74.

34). Headstone. Thomas HARDING, of Seavington St. Mary, died 20 Sept 1890, in his 86th. year. And his wife, Sarah House, died 5 June 1904, in her 92nd. year. Also their son, Joseph, died 25 May 1893, at Hurcott Farm, aged 51.

35). Headstone (surmounted by a cross). Mary CHICK, died 13 Oct 1875, aged 50.

36). Headstone. “Here lieth ye body of/ Thomas, ye son of Joseph HUTCHENS / & Ann his wife/ who died Septem: ye 1st. 1723 / in the 1st. year of his age/ (4 lines of verses)”.

37). Headstone. “Here/ lieth ye body of/ Elizabeth the/ daughter of John/ HUTCHINGS & Eliza/beth his wife, who/ died Oct: ye 15th. 1712 / aged 5 years/ (4 lines of verses)”.

38). Headstone. “Here lieth/ the body of/ Mary HUTCHINGS, dau/ghter of William and/ Fortune Hutchings/ who died ye 16th. March 1743 / in ye eight year of her age/ (4 lines of verses)”.

39). Vault in the angle west of the south porch and south of the nave of the church, bordered by a kerb and low iron railings (part of which has been dismantled and positioned alongside). The large slabs covering the vault bear no inscriptions, but there is a small modern sloping stone on them inscribed: “In this vault/ were buried the/ members of the/ NAISH family/ 1790 – 1875”.

40). A number of pieces of displaced stones are now assembled on top of the Naish vault (no.39), mostly uninscribed kerbstones, but including the following two:
  a). Footstone. “T.N. 1934” (see no. 43).
  b). Small marble panel, probably from a flower holder (no date, she is also given on no.58, as died in 1947). “Dorothy HARRIS”.

41). Chest Tomb (north panel is blank. east and west ends have uninscribed moldings). south panel (worn): “Here lieth ye body of Joseph/ HUTCHINS, Gent: who departed this life/ 27 day of March in ye year of our Lord 1797?/ aged … years/ (3 lines of verses)” (not given in PR: 1780-99, which is clearly defective).

42). Headstone (in two columns. worn). left-hand column: “Here lieth ye body/ of Stephen HUTCHINS / who died March ye …/ 1721, aged 53 / Also here …../ body of Jane, his/ wife, who died ye 20?/ of June 1725, in the/ 53 year of her age/ Here also lieth ye body/ of Stephen, son of ye above/ said Stephen and Jane Hutchins/ who died October 17th. …./(2 lines illegible)”. right-hand column: “Here lieth also ye/ body of Ann, the/ daughter of Stephen/ Hutchins jun: &/ Ann his wife, who/ died May? ye 9? 1727 / in the … year of/ her age/ Here also lieth ye body/ of Stephen, the son/ of Stephen Hutchings &/ …. his wife, who died/ (3 lines illegible)”.

43). Cross. Sarah NAISH, born 18 Jan 1823, died 14 Jan 1892. And John Naish, born 21 Nov 1830, died 29 Jan 1914. Also their son, Thomas Naish, died 26 Nov 1934, aged 72. And their son, Henry Naish “Chaplain to the Forces, India. Rector of this parish 1916 – 1939”, died 7 April 1945, aged 84. (footstone to the third named “T.N. 1934” lies displaced on the Naish vault adjacent, see no. 40a)

44). Kerb. John NAISH, died 28 Aug 1941 (PR: aged 83). And Ellen Constance Naish, died 10 March 1949 (PR: aged 87).

45). Small Headstone. Rhoda S. GALE, died 1942.

46). Headstone. Ada Louisa VAUX, died 23 Oct 1957, aged 63. And Edgar George Vaux, died 17 April 1963, aged 89, “Sexton of this parish”.

47). Flower Holder. Ernest HANDLEY, 1903 – 1962.

48). Headstone (no date). Leslie Barker NUTTING, “mon bien aime Rosamina” (presumably from ‘his loving Rosamina’) (PR: “Leslie Barker Nutting” buried 27 Jan 1964, aged 77).

49). Small Cross. H.W. JEWELL, died 5 March 1964.

50). Headstone. Margaret Evelyn GOLLEDGE, “beloved wife of Geoff, and a devoted mother”, died 4 March 1978, aged 44.

51). Headstone (in two columns, right-hand column being blank. worn). left-hand column: “Sacred/ to the memory of/ Giles HODGES / who died Decr: 21 / 1830, aged 77 years/ Also/ of Mary, his wife/ who died Novr: 21 / 1830, aged 76 years/ Also/ Job, son of Giles/ and Mary Hodges/ who died Decr: 22 / ….. aged 25 years” (PR: buried 22 Dec 1816, aged 25).

(at this point rows are confined to those south of the paved pathway west of the church tower)

52). Headstone. Grace Beatrice MADGE, died 5 Dec 1974, aged 69. And Francis Richard Madge, died 5 Dec (sic) 1987, aged 83.

53). Headstone and kerb (some lead lettering is missing). Francis Henry DERRICK, died 12 Feb 1947?, aged –5 (PR: buried 17 Jan 1947, aged 35. Rechecked stone, but definitely, though presumably erroniously gives month as “Feb:”).

54). Flower Holder. Alfred HAWKER, died 6 Nov 1965, aged 75. And his wife, Ida Olivia, died 26 Nov 1985, aged 91.

55). Headstone and kerb. Fred TUCKER, died 28 Jan 1956, aged 80. And his wife, Ann Elizabeth, died 25 Jan 1957, aged 73.

56). Headstone, Flower Holder and kerb. on headstone: Emma ROWSWELL, died 8 Nov 1949, aged 73. And her husband, Frederick Rowswell, died 19 June 1953, aged 75. on flower holder: Gertrude Rowswell, 1899 – 1977. And Ada Laura Rowswell, 1901 – 1990.

57). Flower Holder (within kerb of no.56, but probably displaced). Elizabeth Ellen HANDLEY,   1902 – 1958.

58). Headstone and kerb. ‘our mother’ Emily HAWKER, died 10 Nov 1931, aged 72. And her husband, James Hawker, died 30 May 1938, aged 78. Also their daughter, Dorothy, wife of Arthur HARRIS, died 10 March 1947, aged 50 (see also no. 40b)

59). Flower Holder. Annie GILLINGHAM, died 19 Nov 1958, aged 79.

60). Flower Holder. L.M. GILLINGHAM, died 4 June 1946 (PR: as “Lottie May Gillingham”   aged 41).

61). Headstone. Mark SWAIN, 1883 – 1940. And his wife, Annie, 1883 – 1982.

62). Headstone. Selina CURTIS, died 13 April 1931, aged 67. And her husband, William Curtis, died 16 Aug 1942, aged 78.

63). Sloping Stone. ‘wife and mother ‘ Florence May SWAIN, died 22 Jan 1976, aged 63. And ‘husband, father and grandfather’ Sidney Swain, died 3 June 1997, aged 87.

64). Flower Urn on a plinth. ‘my husband’ Charles BRAKE, died 19 May 1950, aged 79.

65). Headstone (surmounted by a cross). “In memory of/ Thomas MARSH / who died 1st. Octr: 1869 / aged 69 years/ Also Fortune, his first wife/ who died 3rd. Septr: 1835 / aged 32 years/ Also Elizabeth, their daugr:/ who died 16th. July 1857 / aged 23 years”.

66). Sloping Stone and kerb. Alice Rose SWAIN, died 4 Oct 1959, aged 78. And her husband, Bert Swain, died 21 Aug 1966, aged 84.

67). Sloping Stone. Violet Maud SWAIN, died 28 Oct 1972, aged 47.

 

North of the Church

 
(recorded in rows from east to west)
(omitted is one flower holder, where most of the lead lettering has come out, and I cannot decipher who it refers to)

68). Block Headstone and kerb. ‘husband and father’ William John JEFFERY, died 5 Sept 1958, aged 42. And his wife, Doris Mary, died 30 Sept 1978, aged 64.

69). Small Headstone and kerb. ‘our son’ Alan John JEFFERY, died 25 April 1947, aged three and a half years.

70). Wooden Cross on a stone base. Julian Sandbach BARKWORTH, Major R.A. (no deathdate given). And Janet Katherine Barkworth, died 4 Sept 1978, aged 82.

71). Open Book (lying flat on the ground). Frank BLUNDY, 1866 – 1947. And Emily Blundy,   1863 – 1949.

72). Headstone and Flatstone (recorded together) within a kerb. William DOBLE, died 15 Oct 1946, aged 73. And his wife, Emma Susan, died 12 July 1955, aged 88. Also Hubert M. Doble, died 23 Jan 1993, aged 87, and his wife, Evelyn Doble, died 2 April 1994, aged 84.

73). Small Headstone. Alfred WILLS, died 26 Jany 1975, aged 81.

74). Headstone and kerb. ‘wife and mother’ Anna WILLS, died 25 July 1948, aged 70. And her husband, Edward Wills, died 22 Oct 1959, aged 76.

75). Small Headstone. George MALE, died 22 June 1937, aged 51.

76). Headstone and kerb. Frank T. JEFFERY, died 2 Jan 1945, aged 71. And his wife, Mary Elizabeth, died 10 May 1958, aged 67.

77). Headstone and kerb. Samuel Bertie WYATT, died 24 Dec 1955, aged 75. And his wife, Gwendolyn Maude, died 2 June 1966, aged 75.

78). Cross and kerb. William Wheadon JACOBS, died 14 Aug 1933, at Hurcott, aged 69. And his wife, Elizabeth, died 5 Dec 1953, aged 85.

79). Headstone (leaning backwards). John PRYOR, died 20 Aug 1908, aged 58. And his wife, Mary Ann, died 1 Sept 1936, aged 84.

80). Headstone and kerb. Bessie Maud ENGLAND, died 9 Jan 1954, aged 72. And her husband, Arthur George Gifford England, died 20 Nov 1960, aged 74.

81). Headstone. Charlotte DENING, born 4 Oct 1825, died 24 March 1901. And her sister, Charity, born 18 Nov 1838, died 29 April 1905. Also Lucy TEMPLEMAN, died 19 Jan 1941, aged 87. (footstones to the first two “C.D. 1901” and “C.D. 1905” are displaced under the yew tree south of the church, see no.22)

82). Open Book and Flower Holder. on open book: Sirel (sic) ‘Cyril’ Evan Walter RIDLEY, died 6 May 1975, aged 69. And his wife, Gertrude ‘Gertie’, died 27 July 1990, aged 76. on flower holder: “from his friends at ‘Ottermill’.”.

83). Headstone and kerb. ‘our mother’ Emma Annie RIDLEY, died 8 Aug 1952, aged 75, “at rest with her parents, George and Eliza WALTERS, and her sister, Eliza Walters”.

84). Headstone. ‘our father’ Samuel Joseph NAPPER, died 23 Dec 1924. And ‘our mother’ Ella Thurza Napper, died 25 Dec 1928.

85). Flower Holder. Matthew HAWKINS, died 13 Feb 194- (lead lettering fallen out. PR: buried 17 Feb 1949, aged 81).

 

West of the Church

 
(commencing with the first row the whole way across the churchyard close to the west wall of the tower, recorded in rows from east to west, but excluding any stones on the south side of the paved pathway between the south porch and south-west entrance gateway, which are in the area ‘south of the church’).

86). Cross and kerb. Thomas ROACH, of Seavington St. Michael, died 15 Feb 1881, aged 58. And Rhoda, wife of Thomas Roach, died 27 March 1865, at Seavington Abbott, aged 42, “interred in Muchelney churchyard”.  Also Emma, widow of Charles Harding POOLE, “and sister of Rhoda Roach of Seavington Abbott”, died 5 Aug 1889, aged 73.

87). Headstone (surmounted by a cross). John AMERY, born 21 Dec 1780, died 23 Nov 1861. And his wife, Sarah, born 2 May 1784, died 19 Oct 1861.

88). Headstone (lying on the ground face-upwards). Elizabeth SPILLER, died 10 May 1911, at Seavington St. Mary, aged 69.

89). Headstone. Pollie, wife of George Henry ANDREW, died 21 May 1893, aged 32.

90). Cross. Honor, wife of Thomas LEMAN, of Seavington St. Mary, died 22 Feb 1898, aged 63.

91). Small Headstone. ‘my wife’ Ellen Beatrice FAULKNER, died 18 Jan 1947, aged 46.

92). Headstone. ‘our parents’ Harold FOURACRE, 1885 – 1947, and Minnie Fouracre,
  1890 – 1977.

93). Headstone, Flower Holder and kerb. on headstone: ‘husband and father’ Harold Henry George FOURACRE, died 20 Nov 1954, aged 34. on flower holder: “To my darling daddy from Eileen”.

94). Headstone. Elizabeth IRELAND, died 25 Nov 1930, aged 76. And her husband, James Ireland, died 18 Dec 1935, aged 83, ‘ever remembered by his sorrowing children’.

95). Flower Holder within a small kerb (for a child). Alan JAMES (no date. PR: as “Reginald Alan James” buried 13 Feb 1948, aged 10 months).

96). Headstone. Walter ROWSWELL, died 30 Oct 1928, aged 73. And his wife, Mary Jane, died 22 Oct 1939, aged 83.

97). Cross. William VAUX, died 9 Aug 1922, aged 76, “for 40 years Clerk of St. Mary’s and St. Michael’s”.

98). Kerb. Isaac HOLE, died 7 July 1947. And Madeline Hole, died 9 Dec 1958.

99). Headstone and kerb. Catherine Poole JACOBS, died 16 March 1943, aged 72. And Samuel Robert Jacobs, died 28 Dec 1946, aged 76. Also their children: Nora Elizabeth, died 7 March 1902, and Samuel Robert, died 8 Nov 1908.

100). Headstone. Mary Ann, wife of Thomas DUNELL, died 22 Jan 1895, aged 67. And Thomas Dunell, died 6 June 1910, aged 89.

101). Headstone. Elizabeth RENDALL, died 31 Aug 1876, aged 87. And Elizabeth, wife of George Rendall, died 1 April 1874, aged 59. Also her husband, George Rendall, died 27 Oct 1880, aged 60.

102). Headstone. Simeon HODGES, died 10 May 1866, aged 82. And his wife, Prudence, died 10 Oct 1874, aged 74.

103). Headstone (surmounted by a cross) and Footstone. Thomas William Spicer LANGDON, “Vicar of Lopen and Seavington St. Mary”, died 24 June 1871, aged 50. on footstone: “T.W.S.L. 1871”.

104). Headstone. ‘our daughter and sister’ Edna LUKINS, died 9 Sept 1931, aged fifteen and a half years. And ‘mother’ Leah, wife of Norman Lukins, died 15 Dec 1951. Also her husband “and father of the above”, Norman Wesley, died 26 Sept 1964.

105). Headstone. Ann Rice BURROWS, “for nearly 28 years sub-postmistress of Seavington”, died 14 Dec 1907, aged 68. And her husband, John, died 5 Nov 1916, aged 82. Also their third son, John, died 24 June 1908, aged 36. And their daughter, Margaret, died 9 Feb 1878, aged three and a half years. Also their son, Robert, died 15 Dec 1916 “whilst on active service at Boulogne, France, and interred there”, aged 38.

106). Large Cross. Joseph Phelps BILLING, born 26 May 1830, died 4 Aug 1911, “for fifty years Rector of this parish with Seavington St. Michael and Dinnington”. And his wife, Anna Maria, born 23 Jan 1828, died 7 May 1917.

107). Headstone. ‘mother’ Alice Mabel BURRIDGE, died 24 Dec 1959, aged 79, “also of Charles at Godalming” (presumably her husband buried there).

108). Headstone and kerb. ‘husband and father’ James POWERS, died 31 May 1954, aged 74. And ‘wife and mother’ Flora, died 29 Sept 1980, aged 96.

109). Flower Holder. Annie SCOTT, died 1930 (PR: buried 5 March 1930, aged 32).

110). Headstone. John VOWLES, died 29 Dec 1910, aged 85. And his wife, Caroline, died 16 April 1917, aged 76.

111). Coped Stone. John PHELPS, died 31 Jan 1901, aged 48. And Elizabeth, “widow of John Phelps, of Moor Farm, South Petherton”, died 16 Dec 1924, aged 69.

112). Headstone. Christina SCOTT, died 12 June 1945, aged 73. And Frederick Scott, died 11 Nov 1948, aged 84. Also their daughter, Annie Scott, died 2 March 1930, aged 32.

 

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Queries checked with Parish Registers 1741 - 1985, at Somerset Record Office.

copies to: Somerset & Dorset Family History Society (MI Index).
                 Somerset & Dorset Family History Society (Library).
                 Yeovil Reference Library.
                 Somerset Record Office, Taunton.
                 Society of Genealogists Library, London.
                 Incumbent and PCC of Seavington.
                 Sir Mervyn Medlycott.