(270) WADHURST, St. Peter & St. Paul
13th-14th century aisles and chancel added to Norman nave - Nairn & Pevsner (616-17); restorations by Slater 1858; for a plan with monuments marked see SNQ (XII 179); the village had c.200 houses in c.1760 and a population of 1677 in 1801; the church contains more than 30 cast iron slabs, the largest collection in the county and in the UK, see Lower (SAC 2 199-200) and Willatts (SAC 125 102); the important family groups are Luck, Barham, see Fitzgerald-Uniacke (SAC 56 110-160), Newington, Saunders and Bucher.
270A Mural monument for Ann and John Wells LUCK, d. 1768 and 1771
- Porch, West wall, at head height.
- 123(W) x 174(H)~Fine; painted.
- M.I. (engraved, black) on a framed freestone(?) tablet; the remainder in moulded terracotta; an urn within a broken scrolled pediment; ornamental apron; corbels.
- Ann Luck, d. 27 Nov 1768, aet 77; wife of John Wells Luck, Gent., d. 9 Mar 1771, aet 86.
270B Floor slab for Ann and John Wells LUCK, d. 1768 and 1771
- Porch floor.
- 91(W) x 184(L)~Very worn.
- M.I. in cast iron slab; head to West.
270C Mural monument for Mary Georgiana LUCK, d. 1817
- Porch, East wall, North of 270D, at head height.
- 101(W) x 170(H)~Very good; colour restored.
- In painted terracotta; above, floral cartouches and a cherub against a rounded pediment; fluted Doric half-columns flank a M.I. on a straight framed tablet set landscape-wise (in white marble?); below, a base moulding and ornamental corbels.
- Mary Georgiana Luck, d. 15 May 1817, aet 9; daughter of George Luck, Esq., and Mary who d. 15 Jul 1836, aet 65.
270D Mural monument for Richard LUCK, d. 1793, and his brothers George, d. 1807, and John, d. 1805
- Porch, East wall, South of 270C, at head height.
- 124(W) x 176(H)~Very good.
- In painted and gilded terracotta; M.I. (engraved, black) on marble tablet; above, an urn within a broken, scrolled pediment; flanking, decorated scrolls; below, an ornament, inscribed apron and corbels.
- Richard Luck, Gent., Lieutenant in the Sussex Militia, d. 3 Jun 1793, aet 37; second son of John Luck, Esq., Captain in the West Kent Militia, and grandson of John Wells Luck; George Luck, Esq., d. 30 May 1807, aet 54, eldest son of John Luck; and John Luck, d. 24 Jan 1805, aet 49, third son of John Luck.
270E Floor slab for Ann SAUNDERS, d. 1677
- South aisle floor, West end.
- 56(W) x 172(L)~Fine.
- M.I. (raised relief) in centre of cast iron slab, rough at both ends, head to West.
- Ann Saunders, d. 7 Aug 1677, aet 73; her late husband, Nicholas Saunders of Pell .
270F Floor slab for A. BURGIS, d. 1634
- South aisle floor, against West wall, partly obscured by furnishings.
- 65(W) x 188(L)~Fine, many graffiti added.
- A single motif of initials ('A.B.') and date (1634), on a cast iron slab, repeated six times in an irregular arrangement, supplemented by graffiti; head to the West.
- Graffiti include: 'M L / 1735'; 'R W B / 1777'; 'EB / 1716'; 'E D B / 1709' and 'I.B / 1764'.
270G Floor slab for Ann BARHAM, d. 1675
- South aisle floor, towards West end, abutting 270F.
- 57(W) x 182(L)~Fine.
- M.I. (raised relief) in centre of a cast iron slab, some rough casting; 2 escutcheons at East end; head to West.
- Ann Barham, d. 18 May 1675; daughter of David Barham, Gent., of Snape, Wadhurst.
270H Floor slab for John BRABAN, d. 1677/8
- Nave floor, central aisle, towards West end.
- 63(W) x 174(L)~Fine.
- M.I. in relief on a cast iron slab; head to West; a line added.
- John Braban, d. 8 Mar 1677/8, aet 18; second son of Edward Braban, of Salehurst; also 'EL', 1713.
270I Mural monument for John NEWINGTON, d. 1780
- Nave West wall, South of tower arch, above head height.
- 142(W); (H) inaccessible~Fine; local damage (middle corbel); colour visible.
- In good quality marble; straight entablature supporting urns; blank frieze; M.I. on tablet; flanking, mock-fluted pilasters; below, escutcheons.
- John Newington, Gent., of Hightown, Wadhurst, d. 17 Feb 1780, aet 85; his first wife, Mary, d. Jun 1759, aet 73, daughter of Joseph Weller, Esq., of Dallington Castle; issue - Joseph, d. Apr 1739, aet 14; his second wife and relict, Anne, daughter of Edward Burgess, Gent., of Wadhurst.
270J Mural monument for Judith and John LEGAS, d. 1747 and d. 1752
- Nave West wall, North of tower arch, above head height.
- 109(W) x 203(H)~Very good; faded; heraldry restored.
- in black, white and coloured marbles; M.I. on tablet with arched top; flanking, plain pilasters; ornamental spandrels; above, entablature and scrolled pediment with shell motif; below, escutcheon and corbel.
- Judith Legas, d. 13 Jun 1747, aet 71; her husband, John Legas, Gent., ironfounder, d. 22 May 1752, aet 62; no issue mentioned.
270K Floor slab for Edward CHANDLER, d. 1673
- North aisle floor, opposite South door, alongside 270L.
- 43(W) x 93(L)~Fine.
- M.I. in relief on cast iron slab; head to West.
270L Floor slab for John SAUNDERS, d. 1675
- North aisle floor, immediately North of 270K.
- 36(W) x 69.5(L)~Worn.
- M.I. in relief in cast iron slab; head to West.
- John Saunders, buried 5 May 1675; son of Nicholas and Philadelphia Saunders, of London.
270M Floor slab for Dorothy ALCHERNE, d. 1688
- North aisle floor, alongside and South of 270L.
- 45(W) x 98(L)~Fine.
- M.I. in relief in cast iron slab; head to West.
270N Floor slab for T. BARHAM, d. 1647
- North aisle floor, towards East end, partly obscured by nave pier.
- 63(W) x 183(L)~Very good.
- M.I. in relief in a large cast iron slab with very crisp casting; head to East.
270O Mural monument for John TOMPSETT, d. 1820, and his wife Ann, d. 1802
- North chapel, West wall, above head height.
- 125(W) x 205(H)~Fine.
- In painted and gilded terracotta; above, an urn on a round pediment, flanked by flames (?); M.I. on a circular lettered tablet with leaves in spandrels; flanking, fluted pilasters; below, base mouldings and apron with fan motif; pine cones as corbels.
- John Tompsett, Gent., of Scrag-Oak, Wadhurst, d. 22 Sep 1820, aet 71; his wife, Ann, d. 23 Dec 1802, aet 48.
270P Mural monument for William GURR Junior, d. 1786
- North chapel, East wall, high over door.
- 60(W); (H) inaccessible~Fine.
- M.I. (engraved, black) on unframed oval tablet; above, a vase in terracotta.
- William Gurr, d. 15 Nov 1786, aet 33; son of William Gurr, Snr, d. 17 Nov 1788, aet 67; and Mary, d. 29 Apr 1790, aet 74.
270Q Floor slab for Richard COOMBER, d. 1763, and his wife Jane, d. 1786
- Nave floor, extreme East end, abutting the chancel step.
- 100(W) x 179(L)~Cracked (North-East corner); damaged edges.
- M.I. (5 + 6 lines, engraved) in upper end and centre of a black stone; head to West.
- Richard Coomber, Gent., d. 4 Oct 1763, aet 61; his second wife, Jane, d. 22 May 1786, aet 91.
270R Floor slab for Mary BARHAM, d. 1658
- Choir floor, North side, West end.
- 59(W) x 177(L)~Fine.
- M.I. in relief in cast iron slab; repeated escutcheon motif; head to the West.
270S Floor slab for John DUNMOLL, d. 1625
- Choir floor, North side, East of 270R.
- 63.5(W) x 199(L)~Good.
- M.I. in relief in cast iron slab with initials, a date and the initial 'N' between two escutcheons.
270T Floor slab for Alice BUCHER, d. 1638
- Choir floor, North side, East of 270S.
- 63(W) x 182(L)~Fine.
- M.I. in relief in cast iron slab; lettering in an arched frame; below, a blank compartment.
- Alice Bucher, d. 23 Oct 1638, age unknown; wife of Thomas Bucher.
270U Floor slab for William BARHAM, d. 1701
- Choir floor, North side, East of 270T.
- 83(W) x 204(L)~Fine; some parts poorly cast.
- M.I. in relief on a cast iron slab; raised letters between two heraldic compartments; head to West.
- William Barham, of Scrag Oak, d. 6 Nov 1701, aet 80.
270V Floor slab for Samuel and Elizabeth NEWINGTON, d. 1714 and d. 1731
- Choir floor, North side, against sanctuary step, largely obscured by organ console.
- 88(W) x 199(L)~Fine (visible parts).
- Arms, then M.I. (engraved) on a slab (material?); head to West.
- Samuel Newington, d. 28 May 1714, aet 71; his wife, Elizabeth, d. 17 Apr 1731, aet 77.
270W Floor slab for John PORTER, d. 1673, and others
- Choir floor, against North wall and sanctuary step, largely obscured by organ bench.
- 86(W) x 197(L)~Very worn; stained; defoliated.
- M.I. (15 lines, engraved) in brown freestone slab; head to West.
- John Porter, of Wadhurst, Gent., d. 1 Aug 1673; son of Thomas Porter of Goudhurst, Gent.; and husband of Katherine, d. 20 Aug 1653, daughter of Thomas Aynscombe, Esq., of Mayfield; their issue, Thomas, d. 18 Feb 1723, aet 81; and Arther, d. 13 Jan 1721, aet 74.
270X Mural monument for Mary DAVISON, d. 1651
- Sanctuary North wall, at head height and above.
- 87(W) x 204(H)~Good; faded; colour restored above.
- In black, grey and white marbles (alabaster); kneeling effigy turns out from prayer desk to face the altar; flanking, pillars; M.I. (cut shallow) on tablet.
270Y Mural monument for Rev. John WILLETT, d. 1742/3
- Sanctuary North wall, above 270X-Z.
- Inaccessible (width close to 270Z)~Very good; dirty; stained.
- M.I. (13 lines, engraved, black, Latin) on simple unframed freestone tablet; arched top; corbels; unframed with arched top.
- Rev. John Willett, A.M., vicar for 28 years, d. 31 Jan 1742/3, aet 69.
270Z Mural monument for Betty SALMON, d. 1813, and her son Rev. William Salmon, d. 1818.
- Sanctuary North wall, East of 270X, above head height.
- 100(W) x c.200(H)~Very good.
- M.I. (12 lines, engraved, black) on a rectangular white marble tablet set landscape-wise; cornice and corbels with natural ornament; above, 2 draped urns in white and an escutcheon; tall backplate with domed top.
- Betty Salmon, d. 3 May 1813, aet 68; her son, Rev. William Salmon, vicar of Wadhurst, d. 2 Jun 1818, aet 53.
270AA Floor slab for Rev. James WILCOCKS, d. 1662
- Choir floor, South side, towards East end, mostly obscured by choir stalls.
- 86(W) x 201(L)~Fine (visible areas).
- M.I. (7 lines, engraved) fill upper 25% of a black slab; head to West.
- Rev. James Wilcocks, d. 1662; his wife, Mary.
270BB Floor slab for Rev. Samuel BUSH, d. 1783
- Choir floor, South side, alongside and North of 270AA.
- 95(W) x 198(L)~Good.
- Arms, then M.I. in Latin fills Purbeck (?) slab; head to West.
- Rev. Samuel Bush, A.M., (Wadhurst, 39 years), d. 22 Jan 1783.
270CC Mural monument for Edward BURGIS, d. 1750
- Sanctuary, South-East corner, above head height.
- 173(W); (H) inaccessible~Fine; stained; repaired.
- M.I. (13+3+5 lines, engraved, black) on a white marble tablet; domed top; set portrait-wise; grey marble frame; below, base mouldings and ornamental apron; above, a cherub within a pointed pediment; no entablature, but scaled and scrolled brackets support a part-frieze; on top, an urn.
- Edward Burgis, d. 22 Apr 1750, aet 71; his wife, Ann, d. 12 Oct 1752, aet 75; their issue - Ann, d. 12 May 1790, aet 80, wife of John Newington; Jane, d. 14 Jul 1764, aet 52; Richard Walter, d. 19 Aug 1777, aet 63.
270DD Mural monument for Ann COURTHOPE, d. 1689, and her husband George, d. 1691
- Sanctuary South-East corner, above head height, West of 270CC.
- 82(W) x 186(L)~Good; rust stains; colour restored.
- M.I. on a white marble tablet, set portrait-wise; light frame and scrolled shoulders; above, a straight ledge and a goblet adorned with roses; below, an escutcheon on an ornamental apron.
- Ann Courthope, died at Sevenoaks, 18 May 1689, aet 62; daughter of William Brian, Gent.; and wife of George Courthope, Gent., of the Middle Temple, London, d. 24 Sep 1691, buried Boorn, Sussex; issue - George, Ann, Brian, Mary, Catharine, Thomas, James, Edward, John and Henry, all still living; and John, Elianor, Judith and Hannah, all died young.
270EE Mural monument for John BARHAM, d. 1723/4, and others
- South choir wall, in centre, high.
- 170(W); (H) inaccessible~Excellent; colour restored.
- In column and white marbles with pigment and gilding on decorative details and arms; signed (lower left): 'Wm. Palmer, Londini, Fecit'; above, on a curved and broken pediment, 2 mourning putti flank a flaming urn and an achievement; below, crossed trumpets and a crown against clouds; in the centre, an inscribed drapery held by 3 cherubim within a domed niche, flanked by rich fluted Corinthian. columns and a minor order of pilasters; below, elaborate base mouldings, then three elaborate corbels with acanthus decoration.
- John Barham, Esq., of Shoosmith, Wadhurst, d. 10 Mar 1723/4, aet 81; his wife, Lucy, d. 26 Sep 1716, aet 52, daughter of John Chauntler, Gent.; their issue, John d. 22 Aug 1699, aet 20 weeks; Elizabeth, d. 20 Sep 1712, aet 16.
270FF Floor slab for John BARHAM, d. 1648
- Choir floor, South side, West of 270BB.
- 58(W) x 182(L)~Good.
- M.I. (raised relief), then blank arms cast on an iron slab; head to West.
- John Barham, Gent., of Shoosmiths, d. 5 Dec 1648.
270GG Floor slab for Mary SMITH, d. 1666
- Choir floor, South side, West of 270FF.
- 58(W) x 182(L)~Very worn.
- M.I. (raised) between 2 blank arms cast on an iron slab; head to West.
- Mary Smith, d. 11 Sep 1666; daughter of Roger Gostwyke of Sampford Courtney, Devon; and wife of Zachary Smith of Glynde, Sussex; their issue - Rev. John Smith, (Wadhurst, 1662-1713/4).
270HH Floor slab for Frances PORTER, d. 1717
- Choir floor, South side, West of 270GG.
- 58(W) x 181(L)~Very good.
- Arms, then M.I. (raised) cast on iron slab; head to West.
- Frances Porter, d. 18 Oct 1717, aet 79; daughter of Sir William Colepepyr, Bart., of Aylesford, Kent; her second husband, Thomas Porter, Gent.; Mary Alcron [Alchorne] daughter from Frances' first marriage.
270II Floor slab for Benjamin NEWINGTON, d. 1777
- Nave floor, extreme East end.
- 99(W) x 168(L)~Good.
- Arms, then M.I. (engraved) in centre of a black slab; head to West.
- Benjamin Newington, Gent., of Towngate, Wadhurst, d. 11 Apr 1777, aet 52.
270JJ Floor slab for Joan BUCHER, d. 1638
- Nave, East end, close to South Chapel door, partly obscured by lectern.
- 63(W) x 167(L)~Good.
- M.I. cast within an arched and decorated frame on an iron slab; head to West.
- Joan Bucher, wife of Alexander Bucher.
270KK Mural monument for Anne TAPSELL, d. 1759, and her daughter Sarah, d. 1755.
- South aisle, East wall, North of East window, above head height.
- 95(W); (H) inaccessible~Good.
- In marbles of mixed colours; a pointed pyramid capped by a black finial; below, M.I. (engraved, black) on a framed tablet; cornice between flanking, inverted scrolls; below, scrolled apron with foliate corbel.
- Anne Tapsell, d. 30 Apr 1759, aet 26; daughter of Paul Legas, Gent., of Wadhurst; and wife of Richard Tapsell, Gent., of Wadhurst; their daughter, Sarah, d. 21 Feb 1755, aet 8 months.
270LL Floor slab for John BUCHER, d. 1640
- South aisle floor, near East end, partly obscured by altar rail.
- 64(W) x 181(L)~Fine.
- M.I. (raised and graffiti) with arched frame and blank arms, cast on an iron slab; head to South.
- John Bucher, Gent., d. Wed 30 Aug 1640; also 'EB' 1750 and 'AB' 1752.
270MM Floor slab for David BARHAM, d. 1643/4
- South aisle floor, centre, towards East end, abuts 270NN.
- 61(W) x 180(L)~Worn.
- M.I. (raised) in an arched frame, cast on an iron slab; head to West.
- David Barham, Gent., d. 18 Feb 1643/4.
270NN Floor slab for John BARHAM, d. 1657
- South aisle floor, abutting and West of 270MM.
- 59.5(W) x 177(L)~Fine.
- Repeated motif of an escutcheon cast on an iron slab.
270OO Mural monument commemorating Thomas WHITFIELD'S charity, 1631
- South aisle wall, near East end, at head height.
- 95(W) x 195(H)~Fine; faded; colour restored.
- In grey freestone; flanking below, traces of relief decorative; M.I. on a small panel within a (too) large architectural frame; cornice, base mouldings, apron, baseplate, corbels; above, a small escutcheon and 3 pointed finials.
270PP Floor slab for William BARHAM, d. 1617
- South aisle floor, abutting and West of 270NN.
- 57(W) x 183(L)~Fine.
- Arms cast in relief on an iron slab, facing East and West.
270QQ Floor slab for Helen DUNMOLL, d. 1651/2
- South aisle floor, abutting and West of 270PP.
- 58(W) x 172(L)~Worn.
- Blank compartments for arms either end of M.I. (raised) cast in an iron slab; head to West.
- Helen Dunmoll, d. 6 Feb 1651/2; daughter of David Barham, Gent.; and wife of Joseph Dunmoll, Gent.
270RR Mural monument for John NEWINGTON, d. 1783, and his wife Mary, d. 1794
- South aisle, just East of South door, above head height.
- 120(W) x 300(H)~Fine; colour restored.
- Largely in terracotta; M.I. (engraved, black) on a tablet set landscape-wise; gilded arms and architectural flanking, fluted columns; above a small pointed pediment with 3 flaming urns; below, base mouldings; ornamental apron with escutcheon.
- John Newington, Gent., of Towngate, Wadhurst, d. 7 Feb 1783, aet 55; his wife, Mary, d. 16 Dec 1794, aet 64; both buried at Wadhurst; their son, Joseph erected the monument.
270SS Floor slab for Ann and David HOLLAN, d. 1664
- South aisle floor, immediately inside the South door.
- 55(W) x 170.5(L)~Worn.
- M.I. (7 lines, in relief ) cast in centre of an iron slab; head to West.
- Ann and David Hollan, d. 19 Nov 1664; children of David Holland [sic].
270TT Floor slab for Ann HOLLAN, d. 1664
- South aisle floor, alongside 270SS.
- 55(W) x 171.5(L)~Worn.
- M.I. (7 lines, in relief) cast in centre of an iron slab; head to West.
- Ann Hollan, d. 1 Nov 1664, aet 48; wife of David Hollan.
270UU Floor slab for Nicholas DONMOOLLE, d. 1673/4
- Nave floor, West end, near South door, North of 270TT.
- 55(W) x 155(L)~Worn.
- M.I. (11 lines, in relief) cast between blank compartments for arms on an iron slab; head to West.
- Nicholas Donmoolle, d. 5 Mar 1673/4, aet 50 [?].
270VV Floor slab for James ATWELLS, d. 1678
- Nave floor, West end, North of 270UU.
- 57(W) x 156(L)~Worn.
- M.I. (11 lines, in relief) cast between blank compartments for arms on an iron slab; head to West.
- James Atwells, d. 1 Oct 1678; son of John Atwells.
270WW Floor slab for Nicholas SAUNDERS, d. 1660/1
- Nave, West end, North of 270VV.
- 55(W) x 133(L)~Very worn.
- M.I. (7 lines, in relief) cast in centre of an iron slab; head to West.
- Nicholas Saunders, of Pell, d. 30 Jan 1660/1, aet 65.
270XX Floor slab for Mary and Elizabeth LUCK, d. 1707 and d. 1709
- Nave floor, West end, North of 270WW.
- 65(W) x 148(L)~Fine.
- M.I. (in relief) below a blank compartment cast in an iron slab; head to West.
- Mary and Elizabeth Luck, daughters, of Edward and Elizabeth Luck. Mary, d. 9 Jan 1707, aet 23; Elizabeth, d. 13 Jan 1709, aet 21.
270YY Floor slab for Ann BENGE, d. 1653
- Nave floor, West end, centre.
- 55(W) x 140(L)~Very worn.
- M.I. (8 lines, in relief) cast on an iron slab; head to West.
- Ann Benge, d. 12 Oct 1653, aet 27 [?]; wife of William Benge.
270ZZ Floor slab for Judith LEGAS, dated 1747
- Nave floor, centre aisle, in line with South door.
- 92(W) x 198(L)~Fine.
- Brass letters/figures ('I.L / 1747') inlaid on a cast iron slab; head to West.
