Group Of 3 Chest Tombs With Iron Railings Immediately East And North East Of The Chancel Of The Church Of St John The Baptist

This is a group of three chest tombs with iron railings, located immediately east and northeast of the chancel of the Church of St John the Baptist in Bishopsteigton. They date from the early to mid-19th century and are made of freestone. The tombs are positioned against the east wall of the churchyard.

The southernmost tomb is a panelled chest featuring pilasters and an oversailing moulded lid, although the inscription is illegible. It is surrounded by plain iron railings with spike finials and columnar corner standards topped with urn finials. About three meters to the northwest are the other two tombs. The southern one is signed by Phillips of Teignmouth and includes a chest and headstone. The freestone chest has panelled sides that curve out to the plinth, topped with a concave coped lid. The headstone to the east has a similar concave, triangular profile and commemorates Edward Le Cras Thornbrough, a Rear Admiral who died in 1857. This tomb is also enclosed by iron railings featuring flame finials and columnar corner standards with urn finials.

The northernmost chest tomb has pilasters and commemorates Samuel Granston Goodall, Admiral of the White Squadron of His Majesty's fleet, who died in 1801. Its iron railings have shaped finials and columnar corner standards with urn finials. The two latter tombs highlight the popularity of the Teignmouth area among retired Royal Naval Officers.