Tomb Of William And John Hart And R Carey And A Cary In St Johns Churchyard

The tomb of William and John Hart, as well as R. Carey and A. Cary, is located in St John's Churchyard and dates from around 1717. It is a chest tomb built above a brick vault, made of limestone and featuring a rectangular plan on a stepped base. The long sides are adorned with intricately carved panels that display swags, cherub heads, skulls, and inscriptions, all enhanced by egg-and-dart and gadrooned Classical decoration at the corners. The ends of the tomb feature finely carved panels depicting a tasselled skull and crossbones above a winged hour-glass hanging from a ribbon, alongside another tasselled skull with bones and cross trumpets topped with a winged and ribboned design. The lid has a weathered inscription.

Historically, William Hart, described as "late Citizen and Salter of London," is buried alongside his son, John, who was a "Citizen and Mercer of London." Robert Carey, likely William Hart's son-in-law, was buried in 1751 and is referred to as a "Tiramiet Merchant," which seems to be a misinterpretation of "Virginia Merchant" from the cursive lettering. The name Carey is also noted to be spelled without an "e" for the female relatives. This tomb is a fine and well-preserved example of an 18th-century chest tomb.