Yarrell Tombs And Railings Of Enclosure 20 Metres To North West Of Nave

TL 3008 BAYFORD CHURCH LANE (West side)

5/20 Yarrell Tombs and Railings of enclosure 20M to NW of nave

GV II

Group of tombstones in railed enclosure. To members of Yarrell family Frances d.1794, Harriot d.1796, Sarah d.1796, Francis d.1812, 7 infants of Frances, and finally William Yarrell 1784-1856 VPLS, FZS, eminent Victorian zoologist and author of A History of British Birds and A History of British Fishes, buried 8 Sept 1856. White limestone head and foot stones, sandstone headstone to William Yarrell, stone weathered curb and original cast iron railings. 9 graves closely grouped in rectangular railed enclosure. Rounded recumbent stone over graves in middle of W row and middle row. Headstones to similar pattern with moulded segmental top with paterae. Cruciform iron spears with pointed bulbous tops in 5 bays to long sides and 3-bays to each end. Fluted square standards surmounted by fluted urns. William Yarrell left £500 in his will for upkeep of the family graves which survive unusually complete with railings. Executors put up inscription in church, gave surplus money to poor of parish, and erected a wall memorial to Yarrell near N aisle of St. James' Church, Piccadilly, with a portrait medallion and 2 Bewick swans as supporters, a bird he discovered and named after his favourite engraver. (HJCK William Yarrell 1784-1856 1984, Bayford - pamphlet available at church).

Listing NGR: TL3093808854