Group Of 9 Mainly Howse And Bridges Family Monuments In The Churchyard Approximately 6 Metres South Of Porch To Church Of St Michael

A group of nine mainly Howse and Bridges family monuments is located in the churchyard approximately 6 meters south of the porch to the Church of St Michael. These monuments date from the mid 18th century to the early 19th century and are made of limestone. They are arranged in rows running from north to south and from west to east, consisting of six chest tombs and three pedestal tombs.

One chest tomb, dated 1767, is rectangular and features carved borders around the inscription panels, which include cherubs' heads and floral drops on the pilaster strips. It has a frieze and a moulded top with high coping, along with a moulded plinth. This tomb is inscribed to Harman Howse and Richard Howse, who died in 1767.

Another chest tomb, dated 1752, has a similar design and is inscribed to Richard Howse, who died in 1752. A third chest tomb, also dated 1767, shares a similar design but has one panel made of lighter-colored stone and is inscribed to an unnamed Howse who died in 1767.

A chest tomb dated 1751 features gadrooned corner balusters and a gadrooned domical top, with a high moulded plinth, inscribed to Thomas Bridges, who died in 1751. Another chest tomb from the mid 18th century has a similar design and is inscribed to Thomas Bridges, though the date is illegible. A chest tomb dated 1845 also follows a similar design and is inscribed to Samuel Bridges, who died in 1845.

Among the pedestal tombs, one dated 1796 is rectangular with plain recessed panels, oval ends, and fluted pilasters with cabling. It has a cornice top with coping and a high moulded plinth, inscribed to Sarah Bridges, who died in 1806. Another pedestal tomb, dated 1770 and 1776, has a similar design and is inscribed to Mary, wife of Thomas Bridges, who died in 1770, and to Thomas Bridges, who died in 1776. The third pedestal tomb, dated 1756, features recessed panels, fluted pilasters, a cyma top, and coping, with a tall moulded base, inscribed to John Bicknell, who died in 1756.

This tightly packed group of tombs exhibits three sets of matching designs, all of high quality, and are very well preserved.