St Peter Netherseal - Monumental Inscriptions
St. Peter, Netherseal
(Leicestershire)
Monumental Inscriptions

A. From "The History of Leicestershire" by John Nichols 1804 - Extracted by Nigel Wilton
(Inside the Church)
Latin inscription to the following effect - Here lies Roger Douton one time rector of the parish of Seal who died 30th July 1500. 
Incomplete inscription - Here lieth the body of Zachary Johnson who was patron and rector of this church ....... Day of July 1669. 
Incomplete inscription - ............ry Johnson rector of this church who died aged ........... 
The Lady Gresley, 1711. 
Here lieth the body of Elizabeth Gresley, wife of Thomas Gresley Esqr. She died in her 53rd year on the 14th day of February 1732. 
Latin inscription to the following effect - Here lies Michael Hill rector of this church who died in the 65th year of his age on the ?5th?October 1693, and nearby his wife in whose memory their daughters Susanne and Elizabeth  (placed this stone) 
Latin inscription to the following effect - Richard Inge rector of this church and younger son of William Inge of Thorpe Constantine, died 8th May 1748 aged 67. And Elizabeth his wife ?daughter? of Edward Mugleston of Packington, who died  12th January 1732,  aged 31.  This monument was erected by their son William Inge. 
Sacred to the memory of Thomas Gresley D.D. F.R.S. and rector of this parish who died April 18th, 1785, in the 51st year of his age. Also to Elizabeth his daughter who died November 28th, 1792, aged 29. 
Grace Inge, daughter of Richard and Elizabeth Inge of Overseal, departed this life June 7th, 1754, in the third year of her age. 
Latin inscription to the following effect - ................ Johanna Johnson, lately Richard ..........of Netherseal,  nobly ............... Appolonia Johnson, separate ............... loving mother, ..........wife and generous neighbour, died 24th June 1689, in the 32nd year of her age. 
Here lyeth the bodies of Zachary and Apollonia Johnson the only children of Richard Johnson, gent, by his deceased wife Johanna, who both died of the small pox. Zachary aged 12 deceased 9th September 1694, Apollonia aged 9 deceased 27th August 1694.

  The same hereditary pain that slew
   My much loved wife, has made me childless too;
  But still this comfort in their deaths I have,
  That though their corpse went spotted to the grave,
  Their souls remained immaculate and fair,
  Nor was the smallest blemish harboured there,
  And when at last the trumpet's piecing sound,
  Shall call the sleeping world from under ground;
  Their bodies too shall rise entire and whole,
  Free from all spots, and fitted to the soul. 
The remains of Richard Johnson, gentleman, late of this town; a person deservedly valued for his honesty, hospitality, and charity. The two former were conspicuous in his life; the later he testified at his death by giving £150 for the building of an almshouse in this town, and endowing the same with lands to the value of £36 per annum for ever, for the maintenance of six poor people of this parish. He departed this life on the 12th May and in the 58th year of his age {died 1697} 
Latin inscription to the following effect - Here lies Richard Moore, gent, died August 6th, 1721, aged 46. 
Here lies the body of Elizabeth Farnall, wife to John Farnall of Overseal, died May 26th, 1709.  Near this place lyeth the body of Mary, daughter of John and Elizabeth Farnall, died September 30th, 1709, in the 3rd year of her age. 
Here lyeth interred the body of John Farnall, gent, of Overseal, who departed this life February 12th, 1719, in the 37th year of his age. 
Here lieth interred the body of Mary, the deservedly much-loved wife of John Farnall, gent, who departed this life December 1st, 1758, in the 45th year of her age. 
Here lieth interred the body of Mary, the wife of William Wilkes, and daughter of John and Ann Farnall, who departed this life March 11th, 1750, in the 31st year of her age. 
Here lies interred the body of Elizabeth, wife of Joseph Wilkes, who departed this life April 8th, 1762, in the 58th year of her age. 
Here lieth the body of Mr Reginald Newbold who departed this life the 26th day of April 1750, aged 64. 
Here lieth the body of Zachary Gilbert who departed this life June 20th, 1777, aged 82. Plain in his form, but rich he was in mind; Religious, honest, humble, meek and kind. 
Here lies the body of Thomas Wilkes, late of Overseal, Esquire, who departed this life the 7th day of November, 1796, aged 52.

  No pompous praise which flattery can bestow,
  Could tell the worth of him who rests below:
  His life best spoke the merits of his mind;
  In all relations faithful, firm and kind.
  Ah! if the wishes of the good could save
  The man of virtue from the dreary grave,
  A sorrowing widow need not heave the sigh
  O'er the lov'd spot where Wilkes's ashes lie;
  But, tho' divided by a votive stone,
  The sad memorial of her grief alone,
  A righteous power will each to each restore
  In better realms, where they shall part no more. 
For as much as Sir Thomas Rich, late of Sunning, in the county of Berks. Bart., deceased, in and by his last will and testament in writing, did give and devise to the parishioners of Nether Seal, in the county of Leicester, as the proper gift of Barbara his then late wife, one of the daughters of Gilbert Moorewood, Esq., some time of this parish, deceased, the sum of £200 for the purposes hereafter mentioned, and to the end that the names and memories of such charitable benefactors, whose hearts God hath so disposed and inclined to do good, may not with their bodies be buried in oblivion, but preserved in some sort to survive them; That so such other persons of ability and estate may, by such eminent examples, be happily moved and encouraged to the like charitable work; we hereby thought fit, as well for the reasons aforesaid, as also in pursuance and performance of what we have elsewhere expressed, to publish and declare so much of the said will as toucheth or concerneth the said bequest, which follows in these words; that is to say: "I give unto the parishioners of Nether Seal, in the county of Leicester, where my dear wife Mrs. Barbara Rich lies interred, as the proper gift of my said wife, the sum of £200 to purchase land of the yearly value of £10 for ever, to be settled in feoffees named in trust, for the use of the poor of the said parish, to provide and buy weekly for ever 4s. in bread, to be for ever, every Sunday morning, after sermon or divine service ended, distributed to such poor as the parishioners there shall appoint; provided that the said poor men or women come to church every Sunday morning to hear the divine service appointed by the Church of England, unless some lawful excuse hinder them. And the said Zachary Johnson, clerk, who was once patron and rector of this place, did give unto the poor of the parish of Nether Seal £10.; viz. 40s. to the poor of Over Seal; and 40s. to the poor of Donisthorpe; and the rest to the poor of Nether Seal.

Charitas Præstanissima Politia A.D. 1669. 
Be it remembered to all posterities, that John Ramsor and Elizabeth his wife have given unto the poor people of this town of Nether Seal four acres and three roods of arable land in the four common fields of Nether Seal, for the payment of 10s. yearly for ever, to be distributed on Good Friday to the poorest people in the town by the rector, church warden, and overseer of the poor there for the time being, as by their deed, bearing the date the 19th day of July in the 21st year of the reign of king Charles II {1681} doth more fully appear. Also the said John Ramsor, by his last will and testament, dated the 4th day of December, 1675, hath given unto the poor of the town of Nether Seal the rent and yearly profits of one piece of ground called Little Margery Wall, to be distributed among the poorest people of the town of Nether Seal, at or upon the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary yearly for ever, at the discretion of the rector and church wardens there for the time being.

Also Rebecca Johnson, spinster, late of Nether Seal, hath given to the poor fatherless and motherless children in Nether Seal, in the county of Leicester, £50 by her last will and testament, bearing the date the 24th day of April, A.D. 1678. To do good and to communicate forget not; for with such sacrifices God is well pleased. 

B. From "The History of Leicestershire" by John Nichols 1804 - Extracted by Nigel Wilton
(In the Churchyard)
Elizabeth, the wife of Thomas Gresley, and daughter of William and Hannah Vincent, died upon the 19th day of May, in the year 1769, in the 37th year of her age, and is here interred.
The memory of her diffusive charity, real humility, disinterested regard, undissembled affection, tender love, great understanding, and unbounded benevolence, is engraved by her amiable behaviour and sincerity of manners, upon the hearts of the poor, her neighbours, friends, relations, and family. This truth is inscribed, to excite in the reader, an earnest endeavour to imitate an example of every active, social, and Christian virtue. 
Hannah Vincent, widow, died May 24th, 1772, and is here interred. We never human nature perfect view, her virtues many were, her failings few. 
Here lies the body of Thomas Farnell, gent, who departed this life December 26th, 1711, in the 82nd year of his age.  Near this place lyeth also the body of Mary, the wife of the said Thomas Farnell, who departed this life June 30th, 1701, in the 51st year of her age. 
Here was interred the body of John Spencer, of this parish, matt-maker, who died January 27th, 1767, aged 93. He was the happy father of that truly moral and religious poet John Spencer, author of Hermas, or the Acarian Shepherds. 
Here lies the body of Ann Newbold, wife of William Newbold. She was an affectionate wife, a tender mother, and a valuable friend. She lived respected, and died lamented. She died January 13th, 1762, aged 58. 
In memory of Alice, the wife of John Atwood.  She departed this life October 1st, 1783, in the 42nd year of her age. She was a dutiful daughter, an affectionate wife, a tender parent, and a kind benefactress, chaste and undefiled. She bore a long and painful illness with great fortitude, being resigned to the hope of a happier state. 
John Smith, of Donisthorpe, died June 4th, 1774, aged 73.  Mary Smith, died April 13th, 1767, aged 79.  -  See Alternative Transcripts D & E & Note 14 
The Rev. Charles Cooper was buried here the 12th of March, 1787. 
To the memory of Anne, relict of the Rev. Charles Cooper, who died July 18th, 1791, in the 78th year of her age. 
Sacred to the memory of Gilbert Clarke, a very able and eminent mathematician, who fell asleep the 26th of September, 1786, aged 82.  I believe that my Redeemer liveth.  see Alternative Transcript & Note 4 
Sacred to the memory of Sarah Clarke, wife of Gilbert Clarke, who fell asleep June 5th, 1776, aged 62.  Wearisome nights were appointed to her. 
Here lies the body of Alice Clarke, wife of Robert Clarke, of Donisthorpe.  She was an affectionate wife, a tender parent, and a kind mistress; compassionate to the poor.  She lived esteemed, and died lamented, February 22nd, 1759, aged 65.  Also two of her children William Clarke, died February 21st 1759, aged 16. Alice Clarke, died November 12th, 1742, aged 9.  -  See Alternative Transcript & Note 3
 

C. From notes of J. M. Gresley - Extracted by Nigel Wilton
  Thomas Leeson and Joan his wife
  Had daughters twain, one of short life
  Sarah hath passed she's gone before
  We and Bridget measure therefore
  And we behind that are to come
  Desire by her here to have roome
  She died at Boothorpe October 20th, 1657. 
Here lyeth the body of Hamlet Toone, son of Hamlet and Elizabeth Toone of Boothorpe, who departed this life May 27th, 1676 aged 6 years and 6 months.
 

D. Taken from the remaining stones in the churchyard May 2000, by Nigel Wilton
(Most of the stones are lying flat, many are almost illegible due to wear and damage by mowing, some are partly overgrown by the grass and many more may be completely covered.) 
?Samuel? Rowbotham native of Stowmarket........ April 1826, aged 42. 
Elizabeth Capenhurst, the wife of Robert Capenhurst and daughter of William and Elizabeth Kiss, who died March 17th, 1779, aged 67. Also to the memory of Ann Capenhurst, daughter of Robert and Elizabeth Capenhurst, who died September 14th, 1792, aged 57. 
Here lies the body of Thomas Farnell, gent, who departed this life December 26th, 1711 in the 82nd year of his age. Also near this place lies the body of Mary, the wife of the said Thomas Farnell, who departed this life June 30th, 1701, in the 51st year of her age. 
Here lies the body of Ezekiel Spare of this town who departed this life March 22nd, 1768, in the 83rd year of his age.  -  See Alternative Transcript & Note 15 
Here lies the body of William Sp............ who departed this life 23rd............. in the 66th year of his age. 
Sacred to the memory of Mary, the wife of William Harrison, who departed this life December 15th, 1803, aged 63. Also to the said William Harrison who departed this life December 29th, 1836, aged 79.  -  See Alternative Transcript & Note 9 
To the memory of Joseph Harris of Overseal who departed this life September 17th, 1838, aged 33.  -  See Alternative Transcript 
Sacred to the memory of John Smith of Overseal who departed this life August 29th, 1781, aged 49.  -  See Alternative Transcript & Note 13 
Sacred to the memory of John Smith of Overseal who departed this life February 18th, 1759, in the 67th year of his age. 
Here lies the body of Sarah, the wife of John Newbold of Donisthorpe and daughter of John Smith of Overseal, who departed this life November 18th, 1755, aged 28. Also of Francis Newbold, son of John and Sarah, who departed this life November 13th, 1755,  aged 13 weeks.  -  See Alternative Transcript & Note 11 
In memory of Constance M. I. Twiss wife of Captain  C. H. Twiss, who died at Ajmer India, August 27th, 1914. 
To the memory of Richard Bates of Overseal who departed this life September ......., 1787, aged 72. Also of Mary his wife who died March 13th, 1792, aged 75.  -  See Alternative Transcript & Note 2 
Mary Mason of Seile Alms Houses died aged 91, 1852.  -  See Alternative Transcript 
.............Thomas Clarke son of Thomas and Sarah Clarke who departed this life May 25th, ?1755? .............................. 
Thomas Yeomans who departed this life September 27th, 1843, aged 79.  Also to Dorothy his wife who died August 3rd, 1864, aged 86.  -  See Alternative Transcript 
Sacred to the memory of John Leedham who died February 28th, 1809, aged 45. Also of Catherine Leedham his wife who died August 28th, 1839, aged 73. 
Sacred to the memory of ?Georgia? Sims who died April 19th, 1789 in the 51st year of her age. 
In memory of Samuel Musgrove who departed this life June 2nd, 18?9, in the 79th year of his age. Also Samuel Musgrove Jnr. who departed this life March 17th, 1846, age 12.  Also Mary the wife of Samuel Musgrove who departed this life February 21st, 1846, aged 56. 
Sacred to the memory of Elizabeth Lloyd, daughter of Samuel and Mary Musgrove, who died November ....., 1846, aged 30 years. 
Here lies the body of Sarah the wife of William Lunt, who departed this life November ....., 1746, aged ....... 
Sacred to the memory of William Musgrove who died February 8th, 1849, aged 28. 
Sacred to the memory of Joseph Musgrove who died July 27th, 1848, aged 29. 
Sacred to the memory of John Musgrove who departed this life March 27th 1893 and Elizabeth his wife who departed this life March 30th, 1820, aged 24. 
.................... Samuel Musgrove ........................................ and Mary his wife .................... 
Here lies the body of Alice Clarke, wife of Robert Clarke of Donisthorpe................................ (February 12th, 1759, aged 65)
 

In memory of Ann Clarke who died November 13th, 1805. Also Robert Clarke who died June 28th? 1818. 

In memory of William Patrick who died April 28th, 1825, aged 45. 

In memory of Mary the wife of William Peace, who died September 4th, 1838, aged 49. This monument was erected by her daughter. 

To the memory of Emily Thomas of Overseal who died October 9th, 1833, aged 18. 

In memory of Ann the wife of Thomas Wilson of Donisthorpe, who departed this life March 27th 1803, aged 64. 

Here lies interred the body of Mary the wife of John Smith of Donisthorpe, who departed this life April 13th, 1769 aged 79. Also John Smith who departed this life  .............4th, 1774, aged 73.  -  See Alternative Transcripts B & E & Note 14 

Robert Bancroft died 14th January 1861, aged 45. 

Sacred to the memory of Rev. Sir William Nigel Gresley, Bart., rector of this parish who died September 3rd, 1841, aged 49.  -  See Alternative Transcript & Note 7 

Rev. William Gresley M.A. Born August 20th, 1760. Died October 3rd, 1829. 

Mary Gresley, relict of Rev William Gresley, Born 20th  .......... 173? Died 19th ........ 18?9. 

William Turner of Donisthorpe who departed this life June ....., 1813. 

Thomas Wagstaffe who died December 15th, 1833, aged 34. 

Ann the wife of John Hair, who departed this life April 8th, 1790, aged 52.  -  See Alternative Transcript & Note 8 

Elizabeth the wife of John Hair, who departed this life February 19th, 1796, age ?23? 

James  Ball who departed this life 20th June 1769, aged 86.  -  See Alternative Transcript & Note 1 

Joseph Sheldon who departed this life ........................................ 

Francis Newbold died June 13th, 1792, aged 60. Also his son John Newbold who died June 3rd, 1787, aged 27.  -  See Alternative Transcript & Note 12 

In memory of Mrs. Mary Atkins who departed this life June 22nd, 1816 aged 70. 

John Kettle who died February 26th, 1803, aged 51. Also Mary his wife who died June 22nd, 1815, aged 61.  -  See Alternative Transcript & Note 10 

John Kettle of Overseal who died November 15th, 1836, aged 59.  -  See Alternative Transcript 

Rev Charles Cooper was buried here 12th March 1787.  -  See Alternative Transcript & Note 6 

Sacred to the memory of John, the son of John and Mary Capenhurst, who died October 10th, 1828, aged 53. Also of Elleanor wife of the above and 6th daughter of Rev. John Dabbs and Abigail his wife, who died January 7th, 1861, aged 82. 

In memory of William Capenhurst who departed this life February 24th, 1803, in the 54th year of his age. 

In memory of Mary Capenhurst, wife of John Capenhurst and daughter of Thomas and Mary Smith, who died April 28th, 1791, in the 44th year of her age. 

John Capenhurst who departed this life June 26th, 1804, in the 59th year of his age. 

Sacred to the memory of Elizabeth Pycroft who died December 19th, 1840, aged 84. 

To the memory of Elizabeth Gresley, relict of Rev. Thomas Gresley rector of this parish, who died August 27th, 1816, aged 81. 

William Bate who died December 27th, 1796, aged 45. 

James Cooper who died April ...., 1864, aged 72.  - See Alternative Transcript 

Elizabeth, wife of James Cooper died .............  ...... 1861 (Born at .........mer Flintshire)  -  See Alternative Transcript & Note 5 
E. Additional material from an April 1973 Transcript of remaining St Peter's MIs, filmed by the LDS Church, and extracted by Sharon Kay in 2001.
 
BALL   James 20 September 1769   26 years  -  See Alternative Transcript & Note 1
BANCROFT  Robert   14 January 1861   45 years
BATES   Mary, wife of Richard, 7 April 1787  72 years  -  See Alternative Transcript & Note 2
BATES   Richard  13 March 1792  -  See Alternative Transcript & Note 2
CAPENHURST   Elizabeth, wife of Robert, dau of William and Elizabeth Kiss, 17 March 1779   67 years
CAPENHURST   Daughter Ann  14 September 1792  57 years
CLARE  Robert  28 June 1818
CLARE  -  22 January 1759  -  See Alternative Transcript & Note 3
CLARE  William son of Robert and Alice 21 Jan 1759  -  See Alternative Transcript & Note 3
CLARKE  Gilbert "Eminent and able Mathematician" 6 December 1786    82 years  -  See Alternative Transcript & Note 4
CLARKE  Sarah his wife, 5 June 1776   62 years
COOPER  James, 15 April 1864    72 years  -  See Alternative Transcript
COOPER  Elizabeth, wife of James, Born at Hammer, Flintshire 25 October 1791, died at Overseal 4(?) June, 1861  -  See Alternative Transcript & Note 5
COOPER  Rev. Charles  1 March 1787  -  See Alternative Transcript & Note 6
COOPER  Ann, relict of Rev. Charles, 18 July 1791   78 years
DUCKETT  Mary  "buried here 1 May 1784"
FARNELL  Thomas   …….Dec 1711   82 years
GRESLEY  Richard Esq.  "aged 84 years"
GRESLEY  William,  M.A. Rector   20 Aug 1760 - 3 Oct 1829
GRESLEY  Mary,  wife of Rev. William,  20 July 1784 - 19 July 1869
GRESLEY  William Nigel, Bart, Rector  3 September 1847(?), 41 years  -  See Alternative Transcript & Note 7
HAIR   Hannah, wife of John  8 April 1790  52 years  -  See Alternative Transcript & Note 8
HARRIS  Joseph of Overseal  7 September 1838  33 years  -  See Alternative Transcript
HARRIS  Mary, wife of William of Overseal  15 December 1803  63 years  -  See Alternative Transcript & Note 9
HARRIS  William,  29 December 1836   79 years  -  See Alternative Transcript & Note 9
HEWITT Mary Bianca  9 October 1854   2 years 11 months
KETTLE  John  26 Febuary 1805    51 years  -  See Alternative Transcript & Note 10
KETTLE  Mary, his wife 22 Jan 1815   61 years  -  See Alternative Transcript & Note 10
KETTLE  John  15 September 1836   59 years  -  See Alternative Transcript
LLOYD  Elizabeth  dau of Samuel Musgrove  15 November 1846  30 years
MASON  Mary, Seals Almhouse "died A.D. 1852"  91 years  -  See Alternative Transcript
NEWBOLD  Sarah, wife of John, dau of John Smith  18 November 1755  28 years
NEWBOLD  son Francis, 1755  13 weeks  -  See Alternative Transcript & Note 11
NEWBOLD  Francis, 7 June 1792  60 years
NEWBOLD  John his son  3 June 1787  27 years  -  See Alternative Transcript & Note 12
MOWBRAY  Thomas,  Captn R.N. of Grange Woodhouse, 2nd son of George of Ford, Co. Durham  28 August 1793 - 16 June 1864
MOWBRAY  Ann,  wife of Captn Thomas, dau of Richard Streathfield of the Rooks, Sussex,  1 July 1869     66 years
MOWBRAY  Sydney Richard, son of Capt. Thomas  23 January 1843    7 months
MOWBRAY  George Thomas,  The Grange, Woodhouse  Eldest son of Capt. Thomas  29 April 1824 - 29 February 1892
PATRICK  William  28 April 1825    45 years
PEACE   Mary, wife of William  4 September 1838  49 years
PEGG   William,  Netherseal  4 December 1851  63 years
RICHARDS  Jane Ann  3 September 1827   23 years
SMITH  John  18 February 1759    67 years
SMITH  John,  Overseal,  29 August 1781 or 1782  (figures apparently changed)  -  See Alternative Transcript & Note 13
SMITH  Mary,  wife of John of Donisthorpe  13 April 1769  79 years  -  See Alternative Transcript B & D & Note 14
SMITH  John  4 June 1774  73 years  -  See Alternative Transcript B & D & Note 14
SPARE  Hezekiel "of this town"  22 March 1768  83 years  -  See Alternative Transcript & Note 15
STEVENSON  Robert  7 August 1866  56 years
STEVENSON  Robert Senior  16 January 1863   52 years
WAGSTAFFE  Thomas  15 December 1833   34 years
WOODHOUSE  Jonathon   2 June 1822    61 years
WOODHOUSE  Ann,  wife of Jonathon  26 February 1816
WOODHOUSE  Charles  23 Mar 1817    6 years
WOODHOUSE  William Henry  25 June 1864   49 years  2nd son of Jonathon and Jane
WOODHOUSE  John Thomas  27 September 1878  70 years
WOODHOUSE  Henrietta Boswell his wife, died at Overseal 9 January 1890   79 years
YOEMANS  Thomas  27 September 1845   79 years  -  See Alternative Transcript
YOEMANS  Dorothy his wife  3 August 1864  86 years

NOTE:  Few stones accessible in this churchyard as the headstones have been laid and turfed over.


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