Monument To Henry Knight, Lee Old Churchyard

The monument to Henry Knight is a headstone located in Lee Old Churchyard, dating from around 1742. It commemorates Henry Knight, who died in the same year and was a 'Master Caulker of his Majesty's Yard at Deptford'. The headstone features intricate carvings depicting a 'sacred still-life' that includes an urn, a candle, and a book, all surrounded by foliage and auricular borders. The stone is in relatively good condition, and the inscription remains legible.

Lee Old Churchyard is home to many significant monuments that reflect its Georgian history as a retirement area for City merchants and individuals connected to the Greenwich and Deptford shipyards. At 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 has 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 headstone of Henry Knight is significant for its fine craftsmanship and the depiction of the urn, candle, and book, making it an important example of mid-18th century commemorative monuments. Additionally, Knight's connection to the nearby Deptford dockyard adds local historical interest.