Monumental Inscriptions in the Churchyard of Knockholt
A complete transcription of Vol. VII of L. L. Duncan's manuscript notebook of Monumental Inscriptions for Hartley, Ridley, Longfield, Fawkham, Kingsdown, Knockholt, High Halden and the Martin Family. The original is lodged in the Library of the Kent Archaeological Society.
Frank Bamping 2 March 2000
Inscriptions in the Churchyard of Knockholt, Kent. Taken July 1891
In the ground on the left (East) side of the walk leading from the Eastern gate of the yard to the South (Tower) entrance -
Headstone
1. Mr John YOUNG of Halstead, Kent, died 29 March 1848 aged 77. Also Mrs Charlotte Young wife of the above and daughter of William and Ann EATON died June 19 1868 aged 89.
Head
2. Sarah wife of Mr Robert YOUNG and daughter of William and Ann EATON of this Parish died October 24 1851 aged 76. Also of above Mr Robert Young who died August 13 1860 aged 83.
Head
3. Mr William EATON and Ann his wife. She died 18 December 1814 aged 71. He followed 14 January 1816 aged 76. [Two long verses follow, one beginning Go fair example of maternal worth and the other And thou blest man attendant on her doom.]Also Harriot Eaton daughter of William and Ann Eaton obiit October 27 1795 aged 8 years.
Head
4. Sarah second daughter of John and Alice SEARLE of Carshalton, Surrey, died 4 February 1829 in 24th year, and Thomas, youngest son of the above John and Alice Searle died 21 June 1834 in 17th year.Flat tomb with high railings
5. Alice SEARLE wife of John Searle of Carshalton, Surrey, died 21 January 1842 aged 60 and the above Mr John Searle died 26 September 1866 aged 85. Also William Searle son of above died 28 June 1880 aged 65.Low tomb
6. Elizabeth eldest daughter of the late John and Alice SEARLE of Carshalton, Surrey, died 31 December 1887 aged 83 years.
Head
7 James BURCHELL died 10 April 1805 aged 63.
Head
8 Winifred wife of William N. CONSTABLE of Stoneings Farm died 27 September 1884 aged 58.
Head
9 Mary wife of Stephen CONSTABLE died at Stoneings Farm in this parish on 6 February 1862 aged 61. Left 3 sons and 1 daughter.Stones in the Eastern portion of the ground beginning at the tower.
Head -
10 James Draper NIXON Esq. only son of James and Caroline Margaret Nixon died 31 March 1844 aged 47.
Head
11 Mrs Caroline Margaret NIXON wife of James Nixon (late of Letts Green in this Parish) died after a long and severe affliction 23 October 1827 aged 65. The above James Nixon died 27 April 1833 in his 68th year.
Head -
12. Margaret wife of John CHAPMAN died 23 May 1767 aged 78. John Chapman died September 6 1747 aged 66.
Head -
13. Peter Alexander CROW Esq of Rose Cottage, Knockholt, and late of St. Leonard's Shoreditch, died January 23 1853 aged 65. Also Sophia relict of the above died July 21 1865 aged 83.
Head
14. Mary WELLS wife of W.F. Wells died 7 February 1807 aged 45.
Footstone -
15. W.G. 1790
Thick low double headstone -
16. Elizabeth wife of William GIMSON died November ye 25 1764 aged 34. William Gimson died 5 January 1815 aged 90. Also Susanna 2nd wife of William Gimson died February 1809 aged 77.
Headstone against the East wall of the Chancel.
17. Sacred/To the Memory of/Mary wife of William CACKETT/and Niece of the/Rev. Thomas BROWNE/who departed this life the 29th of/March 1822 aged 62 years. Also On the left lieth the above/William Cackett/who departed this life the 1st of/December 1830 aged 67 years.
Headstone - with coat of arms - [drawing]
18. Sacred to the Memory of Robert BROWNE, Esq., who departed this life October 28th 1808 aged 76 years.
Headstone -
19. In memory of the late Revd. Thomas BROWNE M.A., Eleven years Minister of the Parochial Chapels of Nockholt and Downe who departed this life May the 12th 1788 in the 68th year of his age.
Altar tomb within iron railings -
20. Mr Thomas CHAPMAN of this Parish died 19 July 1833 in the 74th year of his age, also Charlotte Chapman wife of Thomas Chapman died 23rd October 1854 in her 88th year. Also Charlotte Caroline Chapman daughter of the above died December 25 1860 in her 66th year.
A large flat stone - near the East gate of the yard.
21. Inscription illegible, apparently of (?the end) the last century.
Head
22. Mary wife of George STAPLES died 9 March 1828 aged 76. George Staples of this Parish died 27 February 1831 aged 86.
Stones to the right (North) of the path leading from the Eastern gate to the North West gate.
Head
23. Caroline wife of George WELLS & daughter of John and Amelia Wells of this Parish died 14 December 1863 aged 26.
Head
24. Stephen WELLS died 27 July 1884 aged 73.
Head
25. George WELLS died 31 March 1889 aged 48. Also George Ralph son of the above died 24 August 1870 aged 2.
A wooden cross
26. Catherine COUGHLAN 1877
Head
27. Joseph JONES late of Brighton, Sussex, the respected friend of A. AUSTEN died 19 June 1858 aged 29.
Head
28. William NIGHTINGALE died 15 April 1865 aged 55. Also Mary Ann Nightingale wife of the above died 16 November 1878 aged 63.
Head
29. Joseph COMFORT died 14 August 1866 aged 61.
Head
30. Emily Jane daughter of Joseph and Jane COMFORT died 18 February 1856 aged 12. Also Joseph Comfort son of above died 7 June 1863 aged 33.
Head
31. George COMFORT died 9 April 1880 aged 50, also Emma Louisa Comfort daughter of the above died 15 October 1866 aged 5 years.
Flatstone
32. Frances Mary BALDWIN of Little Burling in this Parish born 4 October 1814 died 29 January 1848
Flatstone
33. Gertrude Elizabeth wife of Abraham WELLS of Little Burlings, Knockholt, born at Tun'ralli, Abergele, North Wales, July 24 1816 died at Hastings May 26 1853.
Head
34. Louisa Ledger daughter of William and Ann FORGE of this Parish died September 6 1853 aged 44.
Head
35. William DALE died April 9 1872 aged 16 months.
Head
36 Mr William ROCK of this Parish died 7 June 1864 aged 80, also Jane wife of the above died February 2 1853 aged 69.
Small headstone -
37. To my father W. COPE died December 16 1888 aged 92 from his daughter J.D.
Headstone with iron rails -
38. Catherine G. WOOD wife of David ROSE Esq. died August .... 183... in 37th year of her age.
Head
39. Ann JESSUP born 13 March 1857 died 16 January 1858, also Emma Jessup born 30 January 1846 died 7 February 1868.
An obelisk within iron rails -
40. William MARTER, H.E.I.C.S., for 45 years of Shellys in this Parish died November 2 1859 aged 88. Also Hannah wife of the above died at Shellys September 24 1861 aged 72. Also William Marter, M.R.C.S., only son of the above William and Hannah Marter died at Rochester, State of New York May 20 1858. His body is interred in the cemetery of Rochester, U.S., where a monument is also erected on his grave. Also Catherine daughter of William and Hannah Marter who died at Shellys July 30 1838. Also Eliza 5th daughter of the same died at Shellys 10 January 1865, also Mary 2nd daughter of the same died at St. Johns 7 December 1889. Also Julia eldest daughter of Wm. and Hannah Marter died at Shellys 30 July 1873 aged 59 also Emily 3rd daughter of the same, for 30 years of the Manor House, Greenwich, who died at Hither Green, April 8 1875 aged 56 years.
Stones in the ground on the North side of the church.
41. A cross
Louis Player MILES died 3 August 1874 aged 52, also Edith Caroline and Charles Edward infant children of the above, also Ellen, sister of the above, Louis Player Miles died 28 July 1881 aged 47.
42. Small Headstone
Sarah GIBBS died February 19 1881 aged 52.
43. Card in a case -
Hannah HOLLOWAY died 20 January 1887 aged 80.
44. Headstone
Elizabeth Amy wife of Thomas LUETCHFORD died 8 March 1874 aged 63.
At the West end of the church is a small plot with two tombs -
45. (1) A flat stone much worn about 1782 & 1797. ?name. [L.L.D.]
46. (2) An altar tomb within iron railings -
North side - In memory of Timothy WILLIAMSON, Esq. of the Parish of St. George, Bloomsbury London who died the 15th of March 1799 aged 69 years.
West end - also James Williamson, Esq. of Tavistock Sq., London who died 21 August 1823 aged 55 years Elizabeth Williamson relict of the above James Williamson, Esq. who died 29 June 1828 aged 58 years.
South side - also Elizabeth Williamson wife of the aforesaid Timothy Williamson who died the 21st of October 1806 aged 64 years.
East end - also Maria, John, Charles Robert & Thomas who died young children of James and Elizabeth WILLIAMSON
In the Western part of the Yard.
47. A cross - In Loving Memory of Diana, Lady CHAMBERS wife of Sir Thomas Chambers, Q.C., M.P. who died January 14th 1877 aged 47 years.
48. Head
Lucy Margaretta JONES relict of the late Richard Jones, C.E., died 29 April 1878 in her 79th year. Also her son in law Daniel STEVENS died 2 June 1885 aged 56.
49. Head
George Frederick JONES of Knockholt Mill died 11 August 1882 aged 34.
50. Head
Mary COOKE died 2 January 1885 aged 65.
51. Head
Alice Frances CHILCRAFT died 25 November 1880 in her 21st year.
52. Cross
Walter TAYLOR died 28 June 1881 aged 24. Erected by his mother and sister.
53. Head
Sarah wife of John TAYLOR died 5 February 1884 aged 62.
54. Head
Francis WHIFFIN died 26 December 1855 aged 36. Also Emma ENGLISH died 12 October 1866 aged 47.
55. Card in a case -
James Walter loved child of Henry and Eliza CHARMAN died 10 July 1875 aged 4 years.
56. Head
Maria ATTWOOD born 6 February 1794 died 27 July 1870.
57. Cross
William Campbell MORRISON born 18 April 1819 died 1 December 1882.
58. Granite Irish Cross -
Henry TURNER died 18 June 1889 aged 69. Also Edwin Henry Turner died at Singleton, N.S.W., April 22 1885 aged 32 and is buried there. And Ethel Turner died 13 March 1890 aged 25. Also Adeline Carpmael Turner died August 28 1874 aged 5.
59. Cross
Frederick Walter eldest son of Frederick and Mary CARPMAEL aged 13 years and 3 months. September 1881.
60. Head
Eliza wife of Samuel CARPMAEL died December 6 1886 aged 74. Also Samuel Carpmael died 21 September 1888 aged 82.
61 Head
Harry PARSONS died 18 October 1874 aged 79.
62. Head
Mary PARSONS died 17 January 1881 aged 62.
63. Obelisk with iron railings -
Sacred to the memory of Rear Admiral William RICKETTS of this Parish who departed this life on the 17th of May 1840. Ann Mantell Ricketts daughter of Capt. W. Ricketts, R.N., died 27 June 1836 in her 28th year. Elizabeth widow of the late Rear Admiral William Ricketts died 19 December 1847.
64. Small Gothic pinnacle -
Frances HALL died 13 May 1864 - by her most affectionate husband Rev. Joseph HALL
Stones in the South West portion of the Yard.
65. Head
The Revd. James SUTCLIFFE 17 years minister of this Parish died 28 May 1855 in his 55th year. Also James Edward eldest son of above lost at sea on board The Emerald Isle November 1856 aged 14 years. Also Caroline widow of the Rev. James Sutcliffe died 6 February 1880 aged 69 years.
66. Square tomb -
Mary MEARS died 26 December 1834 aged 45. Erected by her daughter.
67. Head
Benjamin COLLENS died 31 January 1832 aged 60.
68. Head
Mrs Frances, wife of George BATTERSBEE of the Town of Bromley, Yeoman, died 26 November aged 48. Also Mr George Battersbee died 8 December 1864 aged 92.
69. Head
Richard COLLENS of this Parish died 24 January 1841 aged 78. Also Sarah wife of the above died 31 January 1847 aged 87. Also Mary daughter of the above died in her infancy.
70. Head
Robert GIMSON died 19 April 1833 aged 42. Also Sarah Jennet Gimson wife of the above died 25 June 1868 aged 76.
71. Head
Mary Ann Collens GIMSON died August 17 1872 aged 50.
72. Altar tomb -
In memory of John Tanner MEALING Esquire of Portlands who died November 15 1837 aged 38 years.
73. Head
George ALLEN died 5 May 1800 aged 63.
74. Head
Ann wife of George ALLEN died 6 November 1799 aged 63.
75. Head
George ALLEN son of John and Ann Allen of this Parish died November 27 1771 aged 57.
76. Head
Ann wife of Samson BIRD died April 25 1797 aged 85.
77. Head
Samson BIRD died 2 April 1768 aged 66.
78. Head
Ann wife of George CHILTON died 9 July 1874 aged 77. Erected by her family. Also of the above George Chilton died 19 December 1881 aged 84.
79. Head
Mr George MOORE who for nearly 40 years at Ide Hill, Brasted, and Knockholt faithfully preached God's free and sovereign grace to saints and sinners "sold under sin". He died 17 November 1884 aged 87. Also Caroline his 1st wife died 5 July 1876 aged 83. And Amey his 2nd wife died 23 March 1883 aged 79.
80. Head
Mary wife of John MILLS died 23 December 1845 aged 44. Sybella daughter of the above died 19 January 1839 aged 5 years. John son of the above died 25 April 1849 aged 24.
81. Flatstone - no inscription legible.
82. Cross
Abraham Crofton RIPPON, Salter & Citizen of London died 16 March 1870 in his 78th year.
83. Head with an hour glass -
Timothy STEVENS (of this Parish) who died ...... 1727 aged 67.
84. Small Headstone - the oldest stone in the yard.
Thomas STEVENS died March 31st 1688 aged 35 years.
85. Head
James COLLINS died January 1 1799 aged 79. Mary wife of James Collins died 31 December 1780 aged 55.
86. Head
Rebekah COLLENS died 13 June 1835 aged 77. Mary Ann Collens of this Parish died 10 July 1849 aged 81.
87. Head -
In memory of Alice wife of William WORTES Departed this life February 9 1800 aged 23 years. A Youth I was aged twenty three when that Death did seize on me Loud was the call short was the time I left my Partner and a child behind. A fortnight before this fatal blow commenced I from this place departed hence In perfect health to my Place of abode where Death did first begin lay on his load Only fifteen months in wedlock as it appears I left my Partner in floods of Tears. Pray all young People now a warning take and all vain pleasures then forsake And be ye ready at an hour's call and let Christ be your all in all.
88. Head
Elizabeth wife of Joseph STAPLES died 28 November 1879 aged 65.
89. Head
Hannah STAPLES wife of Philip Staples died 21 August 1866 aged 82. United in marriage 1809. Also of the above Philip Staples who died 15 May 1869 aged 82. Also near this place three of their children, Henry, Alfred and Mary, aged 7, 5 and 6 years.
End of the Inscriptions in Knockholt Churchyard. July 1891. Leland L. Duncan
Knockholt Church
In the church on the South wall of the nave is a tablet of white marble -
90. In affectionate memory of the Revd. Joseph HALL, M.A., for nearly 28 years Incumbent of this Parish
who entered into rest December 12 1882
This tablet was erected by his Parishioners as a token of their grateful recognition of his kindness and zeal in promoting improvements for the benefit of the Parish and as a Testimony to his faithful discharge of all the Duties of his sacred office.
91. A lancet on the South side of the Sacrarium - Susannah Arabella THRALE by the incumbent parishioners and friends 1863.
92. The East window of three lights is subscribed "In thanks-giving A.R.C. 1884."
93. A lancet on the South side of the nave, Westwards of the Tower "In loving memory of Frances Hall a real lover of Jesus, most loving wife and faithful friend. by her most affectionate husband Revd. Joseph HALL, M.A., 1864."
[Mrs Hall is represented in the dress of the period, with curled hair, &c.]
End of Knockholt Leland L. Duncan
Additional three M.I.s recorded in March 2004 by Pamela Connell:-
94. In loving memory of Peter Jessup who died August 21 1891 aged 69 years. Also Sarah Jessup wife of above died May 27 1895 aged 68 years.
95. In loving memory of Annie Jessup who fell asleep March 17 1917. Safe in the arms of Jesus. Aged 45 years.
96. In memory of James Jessup died May 4 1923 aged 83 years. Also Mary wife of above died April 15 1926 aged 86 years. Thy will be done.
INDEX TO KNOCKHOLT M.I.s
Compiled by Zena Bamping
Names Index
A.R.C., 92.
Allen, 73, 74, 75.
Attwood, 56.
Austen, 27.
Baldwin, 32.
Battersbee, 68.
Bird, 76, 77.
Browne, 17, 18, 19.
Burchell, 7.
Cackett, 17.
Carpmael, 59, 60.
Chapman, 12, 20.
Charman, 55.
Chilcraft, 51.
Chitton, 78.
Collens, 67, 69, 86.
Collins, 85.
Comfort, 29, 30, 31.
Constable, 8, 9.
Cooke, 50.
Cope, 37.
Coughlan, 26.
Crow, 13.
Dale, 35.
Eaton, 1, 2, 3.
English, 54.
Forge, 34.
W.G., 15.
Gibbs, 42.
Gimson, 16, 70, 71.
Hall, 64, 90, 93.
Holloway, 43.
Jessup, 39, 94-96
Jones, 27, 48, 49.
Ledger, 34.
Luetchford, 44.
Mealing, 72.
Mears, 66.
Marter, 40.
Miles, 41.
Moore, 79.
Morrison, 57.
Mills, 80.
Nightingale, 28.
Nixon, 10, 11.
Parsons, 61, 62.
Ricketts, 63.
Rippon, 82.
Rock, 36.
Rose, 38.
Searle, 4, 5, 6.
Staples, 22, 88, 89.
Stevens, 48, 83, 84.
Sutcliffe, 65.
Taylor, 52, 53.
Thrale, 91.
Turner, 58.
Wells, 14, 23, 24, 25, 33.
Whiffin, 54.
Williamson, 46.
Wood, 38.
Wortes, 87.
Young, 1, 2.
Place Index
"The Emerald Isle", 65.
Brighton, Sussex, 27.
Bromley, 68.
Carshalton, Surrey, 4, 5, 6.
Halstead, 1.
Hastings, 33.Hither Green, 40.
Ide Hill, Brasted, 79.
Knockholt Mill, 49.
Letts Green, 11.
Little Burling(s), 32, 33.
Manor House, Greenwich, 40.
Portlands, 72.
Rochester, New York State
Rose Cottage, 13.
Shellys, 40.
Singleton, N.S.W., 58.
St. John's, 40.
St. Leonard's, Shoreditch, 13.
St. George, Bloomsbury,
London, 46.
Stoneings Farm, 8, 9.
Tavistock Square, London, 46.
Tun'ralli, Abergele, North
Wales, 33
General
Lost at sea 65
Mill 49
Royal Navy
Captain 63
Rear Admiral 63
Ship 'The Emerald Isle' 65
Salter 82