Monument To William Chivers, Lee Old Churchyard

The monument to William Chivers is a chest tomb located in Lee Old Churchyard, erected in the late 18th century or early 19th century. It commemorates William Chivers, who died in 1807, and his wife Sarah Chivers, who passed away in 1779. This tomb is made of Coade stone and features a removed ledger slab. A tree now grows out of the top of the tomb. The sides of the tomb have a central panel that projects slightly, flanked by upturned torches, which symbolize life extinguished. A laurel band with finger rolled berries runs around the top of the chest. Notably, the clay in the opening at the top of the tomb shows finger imprints.

The history of Lee Old Churchyard includes many significant monuments that reflect its Georgian past as a retirement area for City merchants and individuals associated with the Greenwich and Deptford shipyards. In the center of the churchyard are the remains of the tower from the former medieval Church of St Margaret, which is listed as Grade II. The current Church of St Margaret, built between 1839 and 1841, is located to the south side of Lee Terrace and is listed as Grade II*. The churchyard of the current church contains later tombs that were primarily used between the 1840s and 1870s, with a decline in usage following the opening of Hither Green Cemetery in 1873.

The tomb of William Chivers is recognized for its architectural quality and commemorative significance, despite the absence of its ledger slab.