Monumental Column In Sailors' Grove, Bayfordbury, At Grid Reference Tl 3204 1012

The Monumental Column in Sailors' Grove, Bayfordbury, is dedicated to Edward Baker, who died on April 21, 1796, Henry Baker, who died on June 9, 1804, and Charles Adolphus Baker, who died on June 23, 1822. It was likely constructed around 1804 and features many later inscriptions in memory of the Baker family.

This tall fluted Doric column is made of Portland stone and is topped with a draped fluted urn. The column stands on a square block with panelled sides adorned with swags of oak leaves, resting on a tall square pedestal. The pedestal has elongated carved consoles set diagonally at each corner and a guilloche carved band at the top, with a moulded base raised on three high stone steps. The pedestal measures about 2 meters square, while the entire monument reaches approximately 10 meters in height.

There are lengthy inscriptions on all four faces of the pedestal, with later inscriptions on the faces of the steps. The south face of the pedestal features an inscription to Edward Baker (1779-1796), the north face is dedicated to Henry Baker, the west face honors Charles Adolphus Baker (1792-1822), and the east face contains a Latin inscription for Edward, Henry, and Charles Adolphus Baker. Surrounding the monument are stone moulded base stones for railings, which are said to be located at Bayfordbury.

At the foot of the steps, centrally on the west side, there is a stone ball with a diameter of 12 inches set in a square base about 2 feet square. Additionally, there is a stone drum at the northwest corner of the steps with an incomplete inscription and the date 1807. A 3-foot diameter spiked naval mine is located a little to the northwest of the monument.