Monument Of Sir John Call Bart, Lee Old Churchyard

The monument of Sir John Call, 1st Baronet, stands in Lee Old Churchyard and was erected around 1801. It is a box tomb constructed of Coade stone, a material known for its durability and distinctive appearance. The monument comprises a deeply panelled plinth, surmounted by a smaller plinth decorated with panels featuring swags and console brackets. A tapering obelisk rises above, displaying armorial bearings accompanied by the motto "ERATA MANU." It also features a small draped sarcophagus at its apex. This is considered one of the most impressive outdoor memorials ever produced by the Coade factory. The monument remains in good condition despite some ivy growth.

Lee Old Churchyard contains numerous notable monuments that reflect the area’s Georgian history as a retirement location for City merchants and those associated with Greenwich and Deptford shipyards. The churchyard includes the remains of a tower belonging to the former medieval Church of St Margaret. The current Church of St Margaret, built between 1839 and 1841, stands to the south of Lee Terrace. Sir John Call, a Fellow of the Royal Society and Society of Antiquaries, served the East India Company as a military engineer and retired to England after accumulating a fortune in India. The monument marks his passing. The use of Coade stone extends to some of Sir John Call's estate buildings at Callington, his Cornish seat, reflecting a particular appreciation for the material.