Free Standing Wall Monuments To Mayhew/Garrett Families And Wall Monument And 5 Chest Tombs About 30 Metres South West Of Church Of St Laurence

These are a group of free-standing wall monuments to the Mayhew and Garrett families, along with several chest tombs, located about 30 metres southwest of the Church of St. Laurence in Ramsgate. The monuments date to the late 18th and early 19th centuries.

The Mayhew/Garrett family monuments are constructed of stock brick with a rendered finish, and feature stone plaques set against a rendered wall, enclosed by spear-headed iron rails with urn finials (although some panels are missing and lie against the monuments). There are five pedimented plaques displaying Coats of Arms, two with incised Doric pilasters and three with fluted Ionic pilasters, standing approximately 6 feet high and 20 feet long, and set within a paved forecourt.

A chest tomb dedicated to Thomas Lindsey jnr, who died in 1810, sits about 5 metres west of the Mayhew/Garrett monument. It has a moulded base with large baluster corner piers, reeded and incised panels, and a moulded top slab inscribed with Arms. A second tomb chest is located about 3 metres south. It features large baluster corner piers, moulded oval incised side panels, and an inscribed top slab (the inscription is illegible) displaying Arms. Original spear-headed rails with urn finials are present, although slightly damaged by tree growth.

A wall monument to Hannah Goatley, who died in 1749 and was restored in 1931 by Rev. George Henniker-Gotley, displays a brick tabernacle background (originally rendered) with a marble monument. This features a simple apron, an inscription plaque, fluted pilasters, a triglyph frieze to the cornice, an obelisk background, and an urn finial with a relief depicting two putti lifting drapes falling from a baldacchino, all originating from the Arms cartouche.

A chest tomb to George Rainier Jnr, who died in 1762, is situated about 5 metres east of the Mayhew/Garrett monument. It has a moulded plinth to the chest, squat creeded and fluted baluster corner piers, chamfered curving raised and fielded side panels, and a moulded top slab inscribed with a relief of a flaming urn and an olive branch. Originally, it was surrounded by iron rails.

Another railed tomb chest, dating from the early 19th century, is also located about 5 metres east of the main monument. It's distinguished by its chamfered plinth, quatrefoil frieze to cusped pointed arcaded side panels, and a moulded top slab. The rails have spiked principals.

Finally, a tomb chest dedicated to Elizabeth Countess Dowager of Huntingdon (died 1846) stands adjacent to the previous tomb. This is unrailed, sits on a platform, and features cusped arcaded side panels and a moulded, inscribed top slab.