Morris Monument, Lee Old Churchyard

The Morris Monument is a chest tomb located in the old churchyard of Lee, dating from around 1828. It commemorates Elizabeth Walker Morris, who died in the same year. The tomb is constructed of brick and features a stone ledger slab on top. Notably, it has a distinctive combination of yellow bricks with white tuck pointing set in pink coloured mortar, which is a labor-intensive and costly finish typically reserved for high-quality structures.

The old churchyard at Lee is home to many significant monuments that reflect the area's Georgian history, particularly as a retirement spot for merchants from the City and those associated with the shipyards at Greenwich and Deptford. In the center of the churchyard, you can find 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 this church contains later tombs that were primarily used from the 1840s to the 1870s, with a decline in burials following the opening of Hither Green Cemetery in 1873.

The tomb of Elizabeth Walker Morris is significant as an early 19th-century commemorative monument, showcasing an unusual and high-quality combination of materials. It also complements the adjacent tombs of similar age and interest.