St James Church, Sheldwich

( 288 ') SHELDWICH OHURCH. BY CANON SCOTT ROBERTSON. SHEEDWICH Ohurch, dedicated to St. James, is built close to the high road from Eaversham to Ashford which forms the western boundary of the parish; a most peculiar position for a church to occupy. Parts of the original Norman Church remain, still in situ and still visible, at the west end of the nave. In fact, as we enter by the western doorway, through the tower, we find an original Norman wall both on the north and on the south sides of the nave. On the north, it extends only to the commencement of the new arcade, of three bays, erected in 1888. In that northern fragment, however, we still see the western- jamb and part of the arch of a small Norman window, close beside the western-arch of the new arcade. Opposite to the position of that Norman window stands another, of which the whole outer arch, and much of the inner arch (widely splayed originally, but now walled up) can still be seen, in the south wall of the nave. Eurther east, there is a good Norman south doorway, small, but complete, which is still in use, and is approached through a new south porch given in 1889 by Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Hordern of Throwley House, which stands opposite to Sheldwich Church, On the west side of this Norman doorway, a holy water stoup (of the fourteenth or fifteenth century) remains on the exterior. In the thirteenth century' nothing was done to this church, or whatever was done has disappeared. In the fourteenth century, however, the church was enlarged, and more light was obtained within it, by the insertion of good decorated windows, and by the addition of a northern chancel and a southern transept or chantry. The northern chancel seems to have contained an altar dedicated to St. Mary, and the southern chapel one to St. Margaret.* A beautiful triangular window, with a wheel centre, having flamboyant tracery or the nearest approach to it we may find in England, was inserted in the eastern gable of the nave, early in the fourteenth century. This very remarkable window has round balls, in the hollow mouldings, around all its tracery. These balls are the nearest approaches to be found in Kent, to the ball-flower ornament, so common during the reign of Edward II. in Herefordshire and counties adjacent to it. The window can be better understood by * At the Visitation of Archbishop Warham in 1511 it was "presented that St, Margaret's chancel is decayed," K :*> '-. m?$f *^0ij£'$i. *JSf "'4'\ 7T%, »••£«»#»»• SHELDWICH CHURCH.— WINDOW IN THUS EASTEUN GABLE OP THE NAVE. SHELDWICH CHURCH. 289 those who glance at the annexed illustration, obtained from a photograph taken by the Rev. B. S. Maiden, than by means of any written description. Its central circle is sex-foiled, but the six compartments are not formed of regular curves; they are flame - like, ov flamboyant, in outline. The existence of this window was unknown until the church was restored in 1888. When the chancel roof was removed the window was discovered. Its tracery had been bricked up ; and the chancel roof had hidden it. To shew as much of it as possible, Mr. Ewan Christian, the architect employed by the Ecclesiastical Commissioners to, repair the chancel, caused the ridge of the chancel roof to be lowered as far as was practicable. The tracery has been carefully freed from its blocking of bricks, and it is now again completely glazed. Erom the interior of the church, tbe view of this beautiful window is much hindered by the timbers of the nave's roof; but from the churchyard's north-east or south-east side the proportions and the tracery of this unique window can be well seen. His Grace the Archbishop of Canterbury (when he reopened the church oh the 31st of May 1889) suggested to me that when the chancel arch was inserted this window was placed above it to lessen the superincumbent weight, the side walls seeming to be weak. We may also point out that in the adjacent parish of Throwley, the church has a very narrow lancet window in each gable of the nave's roof (one in the eastern and one in the western gable) ; and we may also call attention to the large circular opening to be seen above the apex of the chancel arch in Cheriton Church, Kent (see an illustration opposite a later page of this volume). These examples of windows, or openings, over the chancel arch were inserted within half a century probably of the time when the Sheldwich window was there placed. The existing" windows in the chancel's south wall (two ; each of two trefoiled lights with a large cinquefoil above them) and two of those which now stand in the new north aisle were made in the fourteenth century, about the time that the north chantry was added. In that north chancel, or chantry, there is a good trefoiled and ogeed arch over the piscina, in the south wall at its eastern corner. This chantry was probably built by an owner of Lees Court, in tbe fourteenth century. At its north-west corner there is a large stone slab, in the floor, commemorating Reynald de Deyk. It has contained two small brass escutcheons of arms, near its western end.. Around the four edges of the slab runs an inscription, incised into the stone, in single letters, far apart. Above and below the inscription is an incised straight line. This alone would suggest that the letters had never been filled with brass, but the method of cutting the letters and the initial cross shews that no brass had been employed. The initial cross stands in the centre of the western end of the slab; and the inscription begins north of that cross. In the western- end only three letters appear north of the initial cross • they are Lombardic capitals, and the legend runs thus:—REY 1 NALD : DE : DEYK •. GYST: ) YCY.f DEV ]DE:SA; ALM: VOi. XVJII, „ 290 SHELDWICH CHURCH. EYT : ME | ROI. The final letters RCI stand south of the initial cross, and the initial letters REY stand north of it. Reginald de Deyk, or Dyke, came to reside at Lees Court in consequence of his marriage with Lora, widow of the second Sampson atte Lese. Reginald de Deyk was Sheriff of Kent in 1356, and kept his shrievalty.at Lees Court in this parish. His wife's eldest son, Richard atte Lese, who ultimately succeeded to the estate, was Lord of the Manor of Sheldwich, and served as Sheriff for Kent in 1368. He was chosen Knight of the Shire in 1366, and sat in the Parliament that was summoned to meet at Westminster on the 4th of May in that year. The member for Canterbury city in that Parliament was (by a curious coincidence) named John Sheldwich. When Richard atte Lese died, in 1394, he was buried in the north chantry of this church, and. a handsome canopied brass upon the floor there commemorates him and his wife-Dionisia; it bears effigies of both. The inscription upon the brass is not now complete; originally i t ran thus: " Hie jace?tt &.ominm Hieardxm atte Lese miles, & Dionisia uxor ejus, gwi quidem Bicardus obiit xx° die Augusti anno domini m°ccc°lxxxxiiij quoxum cmimabus propitietur Deus Amen." This monumental brass has been engraved in Boutell's Monwmental Brasses of 'JUngland. Eormerly it was covered with the flooring of a pew, but it has now, by the direction, of the Vicar (Rev. B. S. Maiden), been laid carefully in the north-east of the north chancel where it is entirely visible. The Lady Dionisia died in 1404, and by her will desired to be buried here in the Chapel of St. Mary the Virgin. Her will was dated April 23rd, 1404, and was proved on the 16th of September following by her executor John Oely.* Sir Richard atte Lese left no children, and the manor went ultimately to John Norton, who had married Sir Richard's niece and heiress Lucy, daughter of Marcellus atte Lese.f The AttaLese arms, " Gules, a cross-crosslet ermine," seem to have been adopted by the Norton family; these arms remain still in a north window of the north chantry; they are repeated four or five times in that window. I n the high chancel of St, James is the monumental brass of Joanna the first wife of Wilham Mareys.J She died on the 31st of October 1431 and was buried here. Mr, Steinman§ says she was a daughter of Wilham Langley of Knolton, whose arms appear * Archhishop"Arundors Eegister, i., 214 f Marcellus had another daughter and coheiress, named Cecilia, who married Valentine Baret of Perry Court in Preston. She and her husband Cwho died in 1440) are commemorated by a monumental brass in the chancel of Preston J Her husband William Mareys (son of John Mareys) was an esquire of the body to King Henry V., and afterwards to Cardinal Beaufort, uncle of the King. William Mareys survived his last lord for twelve years, and died in 1459, probably at Makenade. His second wife was Joanna, daughter of Bartholomew Bourne of Sharsted, and widow of Thomas Braumston of Makenade, in Preston. She survived him until 146S, when she was buried in Preston churchyard, beside her first husband Thomas Braumstom _ § The Topographer and Genealogist) vol, iii,, 192. /N SHELDWICH CHURCH 1 plUMflllS MB aitfflQlllKHllfllllOJllI, tfw MRM iiinu Diiitf! & c iffffliii into S.« R.CHARD ATTE LESE ,08 ,394, AND D,ON I S I A HIS WIFE • IN SHELDWICH CHURCH hiriiUttui mlafti inluw uuautta yf M i aranfs aniuitm f|iir(iiiliiiiii9iiiiiiJiV!riiuii!iriiiur5iliiiUiiOirninil:OtiDiin9 .inn iimnt-cccvmiciiuiuiiirtr'jfl irtra rriuliitJitiur.mtr JOAN MAREYS I NEE LANGLEY OB 1*31 Qhmftim -Initio trii^nimm!^ itiMk minis w ijm amiim JOHN CELY 108 1426 . AND ISABEL HIS WIKE SHELDWICH CHURCH. . 29 1 on the brass. A shield bearing the Mareys arms is detached, but preserved. Her effigy is on a small scale, and shews three-quarters of the length of her body, nude, but nearly encircled by a winding sheet, the top of which is gathered up on the left side of her head. I n her hands she holds a heart inscribed tfjc ( W.'ti> which signifies " Jesu merci." The inscription is "Hie jacet in misericordm dei Johanna quondam uxor Willelmi Mareys armigeri; J que ab hujus mwndi vita migravit, ultima die mensis Octobris, Anno Domini m.0cccc°xxxi0. Cujus a«-i«zam dews ad vitam eternam perducat. Amew." Likewise in the high chancel is a small parallelogram of brass on the floor inscribed, "Her e lyeth the body of John Belke | gent, eldest sonne of Valentine | Belke of Sheldwich, who died a | bacheler March the 30* A0 Dni. J 1633 setatis sua* &7." This gentleman's father was in Sheldwich in 1554; his brothers, Michael, Christopher (baptized 1567), Gabriel (1570), and Thomas (1573), were not all bachelors like himself. Michael (born in 1574 and buried in 1616) married Catherine, daughter of William Petit of Chilham, who dying in 1612, aged 32, was buried in Chilham Ohurch. His son Michael Belke, acting as a Justice of the Peace at Sheldwich, signed the parish books of Throwley from 1651 until 1659, and married 103 couples at Sheldwich, during the years 1653—59. In the parish register these marriages are entered under this heading, " The names of those who were married in the Parish of Sheldwich by Major Michael Belke, Justice of the Peace, living in the said Parish," ' This gentleman was one of the tribunal commonly called " the Regicides," who condemned King Charles I. to death. He and his wife Susanna had many children baptized here, viz., Valentine (164,0), Gabriel (1642), Michael (1643), William (1644), Mary (1646), Rebecca (1649), Edwin (1650), John (1651), and George (1658). A relative, William, born in 1602, became a Oanon of Canterbury, and died in 1676. Of Oanon William Belk's sons, Thomas also became a Prebendary of Canterbury Cathedral and died in 1712; another son, Antony, became Auditor of the Dean and Chapter; Antony's daughter Ehzabeth* was. the heiress of her uncle Thomas. - The south transept, which opens to the nave by two modem arches in the Decorated style, and has windows of the same style, was rebuilt, or much restored, nearly thirty-eight years ago, by Major Munn, The original transept opened to the nave by one wide arch, its roof was lower and a " lean-to." - • • ; I n it is a good monumental brass bearing the effigies of a knight in armour and of his wife. It is inscribed, " Orate pro araimabws Johannia Cely, armigeri, et Isabelle uxoris sue; qui quidem Joh«?mes obiit ix° die Octobris mrno domini mocccc0xxvj0. Quorum animabm pfopicietw Betes. Amen." . ; . , Respecting this John Cely very httle can be learned. I findthat in April 1404 the widowed Dame Dionisia atte Lese named him executor of her will, consequently we infer that he was an * Hasted erroneously calls her May. V 2 292 , i SOUTH TRANSEPT. intimate friend, perhaps a relative of that lady. His place of residence in Sheldwich cannot be ascertained, possibly he may have resided at Lees Court after the death of the Lady Dionisa. Burke, in his General Armory, states that the family of Cely (Kent) bore these arms: argent 11 eyes sable, 3 ,2,3, 2,1, and for crest, a dexter hand with the two first fingers erected, as seen on Cely's brass here. Kilburn (Survey of Kent, p. 247) and, after him, J. Lewis (History of the Abbey and Church of Baversliam, p. 24) have stated that in this transept was a medieval memorial for Ricard de Lyle, or Lysle. The monument has disappeared. Perhaps the name was Lydle, and the person commemorated may have owned the land which is now called Little's farm. In September 1349 Eicardus de Lidle resided at Sheldwich, and, as patron of the advowson of Monketon rectory, near Ospringe, presented Wm. Jordan to that benefice.* Hpon a stone at the south end of this transept is an inscription, probably in memory of "Henery Eranklin, gent.," who was buried (says Mr. Maiden) on the 3rd of July 1631. It is dated 1631, but we can read only these words all in Eoman capital letters:— Hee died | DO. WE I 1631 In June 29. THOV: POLE : PEARE : NOT : TO : BET O TIES : SLEPE • BEINGS • JOT • E •. TEE • NALE • LT. I n the south transept are several mural monuments commemorating members of the family of Hilton, of Lords in this parish. The following pedigree of the family will explain the connection between the persons commemorated by these tablets, and by several tombs in the churchyard:— Thomas Hilton of Paversham.T3.... Thomas=FChristian, dau. of Eobert and Elizabeth Giles (heiress ) of Lords in Sheldwich); bapt, 30 Nov. 1653. Giles of Lords; born=pElizabeth, dau. of John and Wm. Cham-=rSusanna, dau, 1679. Bought South Wilderton. Ob, Oot. 1741. Mary Law of. Sheldwich; hers, ob. born Sept. 2, 1684; mar. 1724, set. April 1,1703; bur. 3 June 32. 1760. of Robert Gibbs; ob. 1758, set. 64. John of Lords; ob.1780; set. 72. Wrialilila m,=f Mary Oldoh. 1780, field, ob, set. 68. 1793, set. Pour Giles, daus, ob. Nov. 1728, set. 24. Robert=fElizabeth, Baus. of Selling; ob. 1782, set. 61. coh. of Marshes in Selling; oh. 1788, set. 64. Giles, ob. 1765, tet. 12. Thomas=pAnn, dau. John of=j=Eleanor, dau. ElizabethParewell Gibbs of of Stephen Lords; of John Cobb Marshes; Jones job. ob, 1829, of Sheldwich; 6b, 1826, 1814. set. 76. ob. 1835, sat. set. 75. A B 85. Christian, ob. 1842, set. 87. * Christ Church, Canterbury, Register H, folio 3, or 37 (both numbers appear on the folio). - " THE HILTON PEDIGREE. 293 A l Giles of Lords, ob. 1865 ff=Mary Van Heythusen. Mary Eleanor,, ob. 1806. set..72. I ob. 1869; set. 60. Rev. Alfred Giles. Caroline=Dr. Budd. 2. Sarah,=r=Giles of=j=l. Mary, dau. of Preston dau. of Captain House; John Jacob ob, 1867. Shep- Waller. herd. I I Eobert, ob. 1837, set. 53. Stephen, ob. 1872, set. 87. Ann, ob. 18 , set. 83. William, ob. 1819, set. 32. George,=T=Eliz11 Har- Capt, E.N.; mar. 1816; ob.1877, set. 96. vey, ob. 1819, set. 26. Eliza, 2. Sarah=Eichard=i=l. Mary, Ann dau. Jones of of Capt. Preston Maw, House; R.N. living 1889. dau. of Rev. Jas. Peto. Rev. George. Edward. Charles. Rev. Clar-=pKatherine, Maria, enoe Jones, dau. of ob, 1884, Admiral set. 70. Shirreff. Plorence=rCapt. John Ramsay, E.E. j Mary. [ mar. 1876. Shirreff. Murray. Emily, ob. 1887. Henry of Sole Street House ;=j=Elizabeth Oldman of Canterbury; ob. 1875, set. 94. ob. 1837, set. 56. Thomas of Nack-=T=Ann, ingfcon and Sole d. of Street; ob. 1883, set. 69. Taylor. James, ob. 1829, set. 10. Elizabeth.=Wm. Aug. Murm. Anna=John Ridley, Julia=Thos, Clark. Thomas=Mary Predk. Prancis=Mar- Alex.=f. . . . Poord, Eig. ob. 1877, den. set, 34. Aug., Poord, guerite ob. ob. Jane 1875, 1884, Rawset. 31. set. 31, linson. Campbell. Henry. William. 7 daurs. Henry, ob. 1888, set.T=Sybilla Lucy, dau. 1. Eliza=Stepheu Mus-=2, Emily, 78; Eector of Mil- of Bev. Geo. Simp- White, grave of Bram- S.Stone, sted;Hon. Canon of Canterbury. son; mar. 1840, mar. living 1889. 1837. ling; ob. s.p, 1886, set. 74. mar. 1864. Henry. James. I William. Robert. -Stringer Lucy. Julia. ( — Oldman. — , — 4- • Mus- — Mary, Sarab. grave. Edward, mar. . . . . 294i SHELDWICH CHURCH. About 1845, Elizabeth Hilton, a niece of Mr. Giles Hilton of Lords, married Major William Augustus Munn, of Throwley House, That residence stands immediately opposite to Sheldwich Church, being separated from it by the highway only, although the house is within the adjacent parish of Throwley. Major Munn restored the south transept of Sheldwich Church, and a monument on the west wall of that transept commemorates his father Col. Henry Munn, who died in 1833, aged 44. It names his grandfather Wilham Munn, Esq^., of Blackheath, and Catherine his wife; and commemorates Major Munn's uncles Matthew Wilham (ob, 1796), and Captain Thos: Oallis Munn, E.N. (ob. 1815). In the middle of the north wall, of the new north aisle, stands a Decorated window of three lights which was filled with stained glaBs by Major Munn iu memory of his first wife Ehzabeth (nee Hilton), who died on the 6th of Eebruary 1850. This window, the glass of which was made by T. Willement, was carefully removed from the ancient north wall when the new aisle was built. In the middle light we see Charity (as a female feeding a child with bread), and in the side lights (i) Eaith, and (ii) Hope. In the floor of the new aisle is a flat stone which commemorates the children of Major Munn, who himself died in October 1873. The painted glass in three windows of the south transept was made by Thomas Willement for Major Munn. In the south-eastern window a memorial of Mary Elizabeth Munn, who died 9 Dec, 1846, we see (i) Christ raising the widow's son at 2Taim, and (ii) Christ raising Jairus's daughter; in tbe south-western window (i) Christ raising Lazarus; and (ii) The Eesurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, This window is a memorial of Alice Harvey Munn, who also died in 1846. In the third window, rose-shaped, are the arms of the Munn family. The Tower (at the west end of the nave) is handsome, and has a south-eastern angle-turret with a beacon at its summit. The diagonal western buttresses give the tower an. appearance of being a work of the Decorated style; but, as Sir Stephen (Wynne says, "The tower is perpendicular, of flint and stone; it is embattled, with octagonal turret at the south-east; it has two string-courses, and belfry windows plain without foliation. The west window is of three lights, and the west doorway has continuous arch mouldings." Over the west doorway stands a miniature niche for an image; probably a figure of St. James, or of the Virgin Mary, once occupied this niche.. The tower opens to the nave by a good Perpendicular arch; below the springing points of this arch, but inside the tower, is a gallery, used by the ringers when rmgmg. This will be removed as soon as funds can be obtained for inserting, on a higher level, a new ringing floor for the use of the ringers. Erom early entries in the Parish Eegisters, it seems probable that members of the family of Sondes resided in Sheldwich long before Sir George Sondes, in the reign of Charles I., huilt, from the plans of Mgo Jones, Lees Court, which is now the family residence. THE SONDES PAMILT IN SHELDWICH. 295 Sir Michael Sondes (who married Mary Eihch, the heiress of Norton) was resident in Sheldwich from 1576 to 1587, at which time he had not been knighted; and in Sheldwich Church were baptized four of his ehildren, viz.:—Thomas (1576-7), Paulina (1579), Hobie (1584-5), and Ann (1587). Sir Michael's son, Sir Siehard (who himself was baptized at Throwley Church in 1571), seems also to have resided for some years (1600-17) in Sheldwich. In its parish church were baptized eight of his children, viz.:—Susan (1600), Ann (1602), Edward (1604-5), Antony (1605-6), John (1608-9), Eoland (1612),Katharine (1616), and Mary (1617). The children of the " Squire " of Lees Court, Sir George Sondes (afterwards Earl of Eaversham), by_ his second wife Mary Villiers, were both christened and married in Sheldwich Church; and five fmndchildren of Sir George were baptized there, after Sir George's eath. Baptized. 1656-7 March 15 Mary, daughter of Sir George and Dame Mary Sonds. 1658 April 20 Katharine, daughter of Sir George and Dame Mary Sondes. 1675-6 Lord Lewes Deurose \i.e. JDuras] and Ladey Mary Sondes, March y° 9th. 1677 The honorable Lewes Watson* and the Ladey Katherine Sondes, July the 17t!>. J S ? ™a y™ Ann (buried two days after). T ,0 i d l d r e n of tLe S r°7',S fa f a n n a I Hono«<*> Lewis and t S L $ l«A n S u , j Dame Katharine A flat stone in the chancel, and a mural tablet on its north wall, commemorate Lewis Eichard, third Baron Sondes, who died un- * The Hon. Lewis Watson was M.P. for Canterbury in 1681, and he became third Baron of Rockingham in 1691. Pour years later, his wife (nee Lady Katherine Sondes) died, in 1695. Her husband was created the first Earl of Rockingham, Viscount Sondes, and Baron of Throwley in 1714. He had in 1709 inherited (in right of his deceased wife) Lees Court and the Sondes Estate in Sheldwich, on the death of his brother-in-law Lewis Luras, Earl of Eaversham. His son Edward Watson, Viscount Sondes (baptized at Sheldwich in 1686), died in 1722, before his father the Earl of Rockingham j but this Edward left one son, Lewis, who iu 1724 succeeded as second Earl, and another son, Thomas, who in 1745 became the third Earl of Rockingham. Both these sons of Edward Watson became Lords Lieutenant of Kent, and both died without issue. Their cousin, Lewis, the second son of their aunt, Lady Margaret Monson (nee Watson), inherited their Kentish Estates by the provisions of the will of his unole Thomas, the third Earl of Rockingham, and he was created Baron Sondes. 296 . VICARS OP SHELDWICH. married on the 14th of March 1836, aged 44. Both bear his arms, viz. : Quarterly—1 and 4, Watson (argent, on a chevron azure, between three martlets sable, as many crescents or); 2 and 3, Monson, His brother Edward, a clergyman, was buried here also. VIOAES OE SHELDWICH (often spelt Scheldewych). The PATBOHTS were the Abbot and Convent of St. Augustine's, Canterbury, until September 1538. John Baynolde presented an Incumbent in 1545; but from that time forward until now the Bean and Chapter of Canterbury have been JBatrons of t7ds heneflce. 1279 July (15 Kal. Aug.) THOMAS BE HOESEHAM was admitted to this Vicarage by Archbishop Peckham. 1283 April (5 Kal. May) WAITER DE SurHMAraxs-G was [Beckham's Beg., instituted, at Chartham, by Archbishop Peckf. 68*.) ham. 1316 Oct. EOBEET DUEANT, of Eaversham, was admitted to (Beynold's Beg., the Vicarage of Sheldwich by Archbishop f. 18a.) Eeynolds, in October 1316. How long he retained the benefice we cannot ascertain. WniiiAK ADEXAHDEB remained Vicar of Sheldwich until his death, late in the year 1379. L3f$ Jan. SATJOMOB- DE AmtssGioTS, Bresbiter, was admitted [Sudbury's Beg., to this benefice by Archbishop Sudbury, f. 130b.) EIOHAED AESODD was Vicar of Sheldwich when he died in 1396. L396 Aug. 20 AENODD TOKGE was admitted to this benefice [Christ Church (during the vacancy of the See of Canterbury) Meg. a., f. 271*.) by Thomas Chillenden, Prior of Christ Church, Canterbury. A. Tonge resigned Sheldwich Vicarage in 1400. L400 Nov. 18 WIGWAM HAFT, Chaplain, accepted this Vicarage; Arundel's Beg., but he resigned it in the following month. f. 271*.) i.400 Dec. 20 JOHN CBEK, Chaplain, was admitted to this 'ArundeVs Beg., benefice, but three years and a quarter formed f. 273a.) the limit of his incumbency here. He then exchanged with the Vicar of Eastbridge. I40f Mar. 12 JOHN CBOTJOHMAN, who had been Vicar of 'ArundeVs Beg., Eastbridge, came to Sheldwich by exchange ' i. 288a.) with John Crek. Little more than three years later he exchanged with the Vicar of Tonge. 1407 Sep.-29 Dom. EIOHAED MAEOHAM., who had been 'Arundel's Beg., Vicar of Tonge, by exchange with John Crouch- ' f. 316b.) man, became Vicar of Sheldwich. He took the Vicarage of Horton Kirby, in 1413, by exchange with J. Grenelane. VICARS OE SHELDWICH. 291 1413 Sep. 10 (Arundel's Beg., f. 368.) 1418 Oct. 15 - (Chichele's Beq., f.173.) y 1428 July 27 (Chichele's Beg., f. 369.) 1432 June 16 (Chic7iele's Beet., £.4870 1433 Oct. 19 (Chichele's Beg,, f. 449.) 1437 June 5 (Chichele's Beer., f. 467.) 1448 Nov. 29 (Stafford's Beq., f. 171,) 1480 July 18 (Bourgchier's Beg., f. 225.) 1505 July 17 (Warham's Reg., f. 166.) 1506 Jan. 23 (Warham's Beq., f.170.) y 1545 Dec. 10 (Granmer's Beg., f. 235.) 155T Mar. 19 (Granmer's Beq,, f.273.) JOHN GEENELANE, Vicar of Horton Kirkebj (Eochester Diocese), came .to Sheldwich bj exchange with E. Marchall. Dom. JOHN EXNCHE exchanged with the Vica; of Eyarsh in 1418. How long he had beei Vicar of Sheldwich we cannot ascertain. Dom. PHILIP HOME, Vicar of Eyarsh, came t< Sheldwich by exchange with Jno. Eynche He died, holding this benefice, ten year; afterwards. Dom. MATTHEW SOANDELL was instituted bj Archbishop Chichele. How long he remained Vicar of Sheldwich we do not know, but ii was less than four years. Dom. JOHN OATJDEBEK:, Chaplain, was instituted by Archbishop Chichele, but he retained this benefice little more than one year. , Dom. JOHN JOEDAN, CJiaplain, was Vicar foi nearly four years. He died in 1437., Dom'. WM. SUTTON, Chaplain, may perhaps have held this living longer than any of his predecessors in this century. He may have retained it for eleven years; but we are not certain that he did so. Dom. JOHN XOEK, Chaplain, remained Vicar of Sheldwich thirty-one and a half years, until he died in 1480. Dom. JOHN SAXAR, Chaplain, was instituted by Archbishop Bourgchier in 1480, and probably remained Vicar of Sheldwich for a dozen years or more. ' WILLIAM CBXPPON, died in 1505, being then Vicai of Sheldwich, but we know not in what yeai he was admitted to this benefice. EOBEET BBADLEX, who died within six months, was admitted by Archbishop Warham in July 1505. Dom. THOMAS SWAN, Cliaplain (on the death oi E. Bradley). He retained this benefice until his death in 1545, having held it longer than any previous Vicar of whom we have record. GEOEEBEX WXLSON, Bresbiter, was presented by John Eaynolde, Yeoman, who had obtained the patronage for this turn. G. Wylsoii resigned Sheldwich Vicarage in 1550-1. HENBX BBEDKXBKE, ClerTc, was the first incumbent whom theDean and Ohapterof Canterbury presented. This Vicar was deprived by •Cardinal Archbishp Pole late in the year 1557 298 VICARS OE SHELDWICH. 155|- Jan. 15 (Bole's Reg., f. 98.) 1561 April 10 (Barher's Beg., f. 210.) 156£ Mar. 10 (Barher's Beg., f. 278.) 1571 Sep. 5 (Bar7cer's Beg,, f. 310.) 1580 April 14 (Gfrindal's Beg., f. 307.) 1582 May 2 (Gfrindal's Beg., i. 323.) 162f Mar. 16 (Abbott's Beg., f. 128.) Probably he had previously been prevented from officiating, as in 1554 there was here a curate named John Eaper, and in 1555 Geoffrey Asheley was curate here. EDWAED KEBLE, Bresbiter, was the next nominee of the Dean and Chapter. He remained Vicar for three years, until he died in 1561. JOHN AVEN, ClerTc, on the death of the last Vicar was instituted by Archbishop Parker in April 1561. THOMAS HEWTON, Clerk, was here for httle more than three years, from 1568 until 1571. EIOHAED ABMSTEONG, Gler7s, was here for more than eight years. During that time he buried two SOUB at Sheldwich, Thomas (1575), and Nicholas. (1576). Master LUKE • TAXLOTTB, Cler7c; he resigned this benefice in 1582, after holding it for two years. Master WILLIAM COWELL, OlerTc, was admitted by Archbishop Grindal, and remained Vicar for nearly forty-three years. His son Eobert was buried here, Eeb. 25,1597-8. While Mr. Cowell was Vicar of Sheldwich, the Parish Eegisters were fair-copied in the year 1598 ; all entries from the beginning of Queen Elizabeth's reign being copied in that year (1598) into one book, every page of which was signed • by Mr. Cowell and the two Churchwardens for 1598. Mr. Cowell died here in Eebruary 1624-5; he was buried at Sheldwich on Feb. 15. His widow, Susanna Cowell, was buried here on the 5th of November 1644. Master ABEAHAM BBOMIDGE, OlerTc, M.A. _ His successor wrote thus in the Parish Eegister: " He was Vicar 35 years of Sheldwich only; but I hope his and my successors will have better luck." This is a testimony to the small value of the Vicarage in those days. While here he buried three of his children, John (19 Jan. 1626-7), a daughter (9 Sept. 1629), and a son William who was buried August 15th, 1633. He himself was buried at Sheldwich on the 18th of March 1659-60. More than five years later was buried bis widow, Lydia Bromidge (19 Sept. 1665). They seem to have had & large family, as at least eight of their children were christened at Sheldwich, viz, :— Mary (1625-6, Eeb. 24), George (1627, Dec. VICARS. OF SHELDWICH. 299 13), Lydia (1629, Dec. 6), William (1630-1, Jan. 6), Nathaniel (1632, Sept. 30), Thomas (1634, April 16), James (1635-6, Jan. 24), and Ehzabeth (1638, July 29). 1660 The name of Mr. Bromidge's successor I have not yet ascertained. • PEEOTVAL EADCLIVEE, Vicar of Boughton-under- Blean from 1663 to 1666, was presented to this benefice also. He was buried at Boughton on the 12fch of September 1666. In Boughton Eegister we read, " He preached also at Sheldwich, and was a retainer to Sir George Sondes." 1667 Nov. 2 ISAAC BATES, M.A., was instituted by Arch- (Slieldon's Beg., bishop Sheldon on the death of P. Eadcliffe. f. 332.) EDWAED EISHEE, who was instituted to the Vicarage of Selling' in 1680, seems to have been Vicar of Sheldwich in 1685 and 1688. Yet I can find no record of his institution to this benefice. Probably also he resided nearer to Sheldwich Ohurch than to Selling Church. In the Parish Eegister of Sheldwich we find these entries; baptized October 18, and buried October 23rd, 1685, " John son of Edward and Ehzabeth Eisher, Vicar ;" among the baptisms is this entry: "1688 Edward, son of Edward and Elizabeth Eisher, Vicar, Aprill the 8." Another incumbent was admitted in March 1689-90. Yet in the Sheldwich Eegister of Burials we read: " 1695 Eliza' ye wife of Mr Edward Eisher was buried March ye 27th." Mr. Eisher remained Vicar of Selling until he died in 1710. 16fg- Mar. 6 WILLIAM SALE, B.A., was instituted to this benefice, being presented by King Wilham and Queen Mary, through lapse. He was two days later admitted to the Vicarage of Bac-child (now called Bapehild) in the same way, through lapse, by the King and Queen. The Bapehild benefice he retained over seven years, but this Vicarage of Sheldwich he resigned in little more than twelve months. As Bichard Sale was presented to the Vicarage of Throwley a few months before Wil- Uam Sale became Vicar of Sheldwich (the adjoining parish) we may not unfairly infer that these two gentlemen were near relations. I t is, worthy of remark that the record of Willwn Sale's institution, and that of his 300 VICARS OE SHELDWICH. successor also, are found in the Eegister of the Dean and Chapter of Canterbury, his Grace the Primate, Archbishop Sancroft, being at that time suspended and deprived. 1691 May . . EBANOIS GEEENE was collated to this benefice (Beg. ofD. and O., by Dr. John Sharp, Dean of Canterbury (just f. 53b, 54s.) before he became Archbishop of York), when the Dean and Chapter were still acting as custodians of the See of Canterbury, through Sancroft's suspension. Mr. Greene became Vicar of Eeculver on March 7th, 1692-3, and about twelve months later he vacated Sheldwich Vicarage. 1694 June 7 BENJAMIN HOLLINGWOETH, M.A., was instituted (Tillotson's Beg., by Archbishop Tillotson to Sheldwich, and f. 164a b.) held this benefice for two years and a quarter only. Towards the end of that time (in May 1696) he acted as Curate of Throwley also. In September 1696 he became Vicar of Stone in Oxney. He made the following entry in the Sheldwich Eegister: "Sept. ye 29* 1696 Then Mr Hollingworth left Sheldwich and Throwley for Stone in yB Isle of Oxney," to which his successor, or some one else, added this note, "where I wish he may behave himself better than he did at Sheldwitch." 1697 Sep. 23 JOHN KITCHENMAN was instituted by Archbishop (Tenisqn's Beg., Tenison in September 1697, but he had '• f. 197.) probably been acting as Curate in charge of the parish, for several months before he became the Vicar. At all events his wife was buried here (Jane, wife of John Kitchingman, Clerk) on the 10th of June 1697. Mr. Kitchenman had a statistical mind. He made annually in the Eegisters a note of the number of males and females entered during each year, He also in the margin noted the occupation or rank of each person whose name was registered. He seems to have held this Vicarage for about eight years. 1705 JOHN NIOHOLLS, the next Vicar, was admitted in 1705, and retained this benefice for about nine years. When he became Eector of Eordwich he made the following note in the Sheldwich Eegister: "Mem. at Mich. 1714 J. Nicholls, vicar of Sheldwich nine years past, left this liveing for the Eectory of Eordwich, near Canterbury." Nevertheless Jhis handwriting may be traced in the Eegisters (Mr. Maiden says) until the 24th of July 1715, when he entered a baptism. He died in 1741. VICARS OE SHELDWICH. 301 17i£ Jan. 17 JOHN WILLIS, B.A., of Oriel College, Oxford, was admitted to Sheldwich Vicarage by Archbishop Wake. The Patrons of this benefice were the Dean and Chapter of Canterbury, and the Patron of Throwley Vicarage, to which he was admitted in August the same year (1715), was Mr. Barker, Prebendary of Eugmer in St. Paul's Cathedral, yet Mr. Willis makes this note in the Sheldwich Eegister: "to both, by the favour of the Eight Hon. Edward, Lord Sondes, whom God long preserve to be the defender, and tbe father of many defenders and Patrons of Eeligion and Libertie." Perhaps be had been the tutor of the young Edward, Viscount Sondes, who was the eldest son of Lewis Watson, first Earl of Eockingham. This young man, however, died in March 1721-2 (during his father's lifetime), and in 1728 his widow (whom, as Lady Catherine Tufton, he had taken to wife in 1708) erected over his grave, in Throwley Church, a very handsome altar-tomb of black Irish marble. Mr. Willis resided, at first, in Sheldwich, where his children George and Theophilus were baptized, November 29th, 1715, and buried on the 6th of December following. He seems, however, to have removed to Throwley and dwelt there. His son George Lewis was baptized at Throwley, March 18, 1717-18, and a second Theophilus May 2, 1720, His wife Henrietta was buried at Throwley in May 1728, and his sons Theophilus and John (tlie eldest) were also buried there in 1720 and 1730. Hasted says that, in 1750, he was suspended ab officio, and his benefice was sequestered. His handwriting in the Parish Eegisters continues until December 1748, Mr, Willis died at Throwley on the 1st of Eebruary 1756-7, and was buried in the middle aisle of Throwley Church. Eorty-two years is a long tenure of a benefice, yet he held Sheldwich for that period, and Throwley nearly as long. 1757 Nov. 17 JOHN TUCKEB, M.A., was inducted on the. 17th of November 1757, and held this Vicarage for nineteen years, until he died on the 12th of December 1776. Eor the last six years of his life he was also Eector of Eingwold, near Dover, He was second master in the King's School at Canterbury, and held other prefer302 VrCARS OF SHELDWICH. ments (vide Nichols' Literary Illustrations, vol. vi., p. 698). 1777 May 1 BENJAMIN SXMONDS was instituted by Archbishop Cornwallis on the 1st of May 1777, and inducted on the 1st of June. In the Parish Eegister he wrote his London address, " B. Symonds, Wilderness Eow, near Charterhouse, London." He died in 1781, so that he was Vicar herefor httle more thanfouryears. 1781 Dec. 23 MATTHIAS EUTTON, M.A., Oxon, was inducted just before Christmas 1781, and remained Vicar for thirty-seven years. He was a son of an Ashford gentleman, Mr. Isaac Eutton, who had matriculated at University College, Oxford, in-1729, at the age of 17, and who died in 1792. Mr. Matthias Eutton went late to Oxford; he was 27 years of age, when he matriculated from St. Alban's Hall on the 24th of November 1775. When he left Oxford he was ordained by Archbishop Cornwallis; and he became Curate of Selling in January 1778, serving there as Curate first for the Eev. Henry Thompson, and then for the Eev. Eichard Halke (who was also Vicar of Eaversham) until 1805, when Mr. Halke succeeded Mr. Thompson in the benefices of Badlesmere and Leaveland, and Mr. Eutton became Vicar of Selling. Mr. Eutton acted also as Curate for Mr. Symonds at Sheldwich from 1778 to 1781, when he succeeded to this benefice. Two years later he obtained also the Eectory of Cooling. He was likewise one of the Six Preachers of Canterbury Cathedral and Chaplain to Lewis Thomas, second Baron Sondes (who died in 1806), and to his son Lewis Eichard, third Baron Sondes. Mr. Eutton married Margaret, daughter of William Loftie of Canterbury, surgeon, she died in 1800, aged 40, and is buried in a vault beneath the vestry on the north side of the chancel of Sheldwich Ohurch. Beside her lies her brother, Captain Wm. Hy. Loftie, In the same vault lies_ Vicar,Eutton himself. He was buried'on the^ 13th' of June 1818,- aged sixty-nine;.0 Where Mr. Eutton resided-is'not'1, certain,.,.but he hired the : Vicarage-house at Throwley; which was then ••''- very smauV'li'ttJle' beilterkhm. a cottage. 1818 . . , •••: . -J/;B.hBw^dil[jawh5:WccWded Mr, Eutton, resided • • * . ' ' at Harbledown, and held this benefice until VICARS OP SHELDWICH. 303 his death June 15,1850. Two of the clergymen who served as his curates here were the ' late Eev. George Simpson (afterwards Vicar of Northbourne, and later Vicar of Loose) and the Eev. George Hilton, who was for some years Eector of Badlesmere. 1850 ... . . THOMAS WOODS GOLDHAWK, M.A, Oxon, was presented to Sheldwich, through the interest of his wife's father, the Eev. Canon Spry. He was the eldest son of Mr. G. Goldhawk of Sheen in Surrey, and matriculated at the age of eighteen, from Worcester College, in June 1831. He graduated as B.A. in 1835 ; and M.A. in 1843. Eor him was built the original portion of the existing Vicarage-house at Sheldwich. It was small; and the architect, Mr. Harry Austen of Canterbury, estimated its cost at £650. Mr. Goldhawk died April 9th 1870. 1870 July 28 BINGHAM SIBTHOEPE MALDEN, B.A. Cantab., was presented through the influence of Archdeacon Harrison, and succeeded Mr. Goldhawk. One of Mr. Maiden's Christian names was derived from his godfather, the Eev. Eichard Bingham, who for many years was Vicar of Queenborough, and who edited Bingham's Antiquities, and many other books. During Mr. Maiden's incumbency the Vicarage- house has been much enlarged; and, in 1888, the church was well restored, and was enlarged by the addition of a north aisle.