Taylor Monument In The Southern Part Of Eastern Section Of The Cemetery

The Taylor Monument, located in the southern part of the eastern section of the cemetery in Newport Pagnell, was constructed around 1900 for members of the Taylor family. It was likely built by Wilford Bros, Builders and Funeral Directors, based in Union Street, Newport Pagnell. The monument is made of brick, faced with Bath oolitic limestone in ashlar work, and features five copper or bronze plaques along with two wooden tablets.

Designed in the form of an exedra that backs into the terraced slope, the monument has wide curved arms with dentilled and corniced pilasters at the ends, leading to a central arched aedicule flanked by similar pilasters. The aedicule features a round-headed arch set within a channel-rusticated surround, topped with an open modillion pediment and a cushioned shield above the arch that bears the inscription "MORS JANVA VITAE." The curved wings of the monument include a continuous cornice and a seat, with plain ashlar walling adorned with raised carved attenuated trees depicting roots and foliage in an Art Nouveau style, which serve as fictive supports for the modillion cornice. Between each tree are plaques bearing the names of two generations of the family; the earliest plaque, made of cast bronze, commemorates Thomas Taylor (1832-1900) and was created by Blunt and Wray of Clerkenwell, while the others are made of sheet bronze, totaling seven plaques. The floor within the outer piers is paved, and lead screw mountings on the cornice indicate that a metal cresting is missing.

The Taylor family was prominent in Newport Pagnell, known for their work as chemists and manufacturers of mustard and mineral water.