East Sussex Church Monuments - 1530 to 1830 - Archive of Photographs
by Professor Nigel Llewellyn

(153) LAUGHTON, All Saints

A 13th-century nave - Nairn & Pevsner (548-9); the state of church repair was reportedly fine in 1686 and in 1724 (Ford 52, 176); however, the Pelhams rebuilt the chancel (in Gothick style) from 1765 to cover their family vault - will extracts in Rice & Godfrey (3 82) and S. Berry (SAC 142 107-13) refers to financial accounts, architectural elevations and plans at ESRO; the chancel was rebuilt by John Morris of Lewes in a modest Gothic manner, avoiding orientalist or Rococo mannerisms and the Pelham ledgers (153D-F), with their handsome lettering, were relocated; the nave ledgers are perhaps still in original positions amongst restored flooring; Horsfield (Sussex I 352) noted that 40 members of the Pelham family had been buried at Laughton, but not Nicholas Pelham (see 160D); Laughton was the ancient burial place of the Pelhams (see their buckle-stop device on the Perpendicular tower); they developed a property at Halland rather than at Laughton perhaps because the site was unhealthy (Farrant 255); the Pelhams held the benefice from temp Charles I and owned property on Lewes High Street before moving their seat to Stanmer early in the 18th century.

153A Ledger for Dinah BENGE, d. 1721.

-  Centre of nave floor, at West end.

-  94(W) x 184(L)~Worn.

-  M.I. (5 lines) at West end of a freestone slab; head to West.

153B Ledger for William H[enry] B[ENG]E, d. 1735

-  Centre of nave floor, towards West end.

-  96(W) x 200(L)~Very worn.

-  M.I. (6 lines) at West end of a Horsham stone slab; head to West.

153C Ledger for Henry BILL, d. 1685/6

-  Centre of nave floor.

-  85(W) x 200(L)~Worn but legible.

-  M.I. (11 lines) on the upper part of a black slab; head to West.

-  Henry Bill, d. 20 Jan 1685/6, aet 89, youngest son of John Bill, Gent., late of Blackfriars, London; his wife, Jane, eldest daughter of Henry Courthorpe, Gent., of Cranbrooke, Kent; issue – John, Henry, Anthony, Nisell and Jane.

153D Ledger for Sir John PELHAM, Bart., d. 1702/3

-  Sanctuary floor, towards North side, partly obscured by furnishings.

-  98(W) x 155(L)~Very good.

-  M.I. (engraved) in upper parts of a black slab (slate?); head to West.

-  Sir John Pelham, Bart., d. 18 Jan 1702, aet c. 77; issue - Thomas, Henry, Lucy, etc.

153E Ledger for Elizabeth PELHAM, d. 1681

-  Sanctuary floor, centre, mostly obscured by furnishings.

-  110(W); length unknown~Very good.

-  M.I. (engraved) in upper parts of a black slab (slate?); head to West.

-  Elizabeth, first wife of Thomas Pelham; daughter of Sir William Jones, of Gray's Inn.

153F Ledger for Lady Grace PELHAM, d. 1700.

-  Sanctuary floor, on South side, partly obscured by furnishings.

-  98(W) x 188(L)~Very good.

-  M.I. (engraved) in upper parts of a black slab (slate?); head to West.

-  Grace Pelham, d. 13 Sep 1700; daughter of Gilbert, Earl of Clare; and second wife of Thomas Pelham; issue - Thomas, Henry, Grace, Fra[ncis], Mary, Gertrude, Lucy, Margaret.