Group Of 8 Packer And Other Monuments In The Churchyard Circa 12 To 25 Metres South Of North Gate To The Church Of St Mary

A group of eight monuments stands in the churchyard, located approximately 12 to 25 metres south of the north gate to the Church of St Mary in Painswick. These monuments, dating primarily from the 18th century, commemorate members of the Packer and Loveday families, reflecting the importance of the wool and cloth trades in the town.

The monuments consist of a triangular pedestal tomb (a) with concave sides, marking the grave of Richard Packer (1774), crafted from limestone and displaying a flat top, moulded edge, fluted pilasters, and raised panels. A chest tomb (b), seemingly of earlier 18th-century design despite being linked to Packer (1774) in a survey, features a flat top, cyma mould edge, lyre ends, and panels with a heavily relieved cartouche to the south, including cherubs. A similar chest tomb (c) commemorates Mary Packer (1737) with sunk panels, cherub supporters, and a wide cavetto base. William Packer, Clothier (1754), is commemorated by a large chest tomb (d) featuring a flat top, lyre ends, a circular sunk panel to the east, floral enrichments to the west, and cartouches on the north and south panels.

A hexagonal pedestal tomb (e), referred to as a "tea caddy" tomb, is dedicated to John Packer, Clothier (1733), with a stepped capping, triglyphs, florettes, scroll console supports, raised panels, and remnants of lettering. The first five monuments share a common stone platform and were formerly surrounded by a raised curb and railings. A chest tomb (f) to John Wight, Clothier (1731), features a similar design to the previous monuments, with lyre ends, cartouches, and cherub supporters on the south. An altar tomb (g) marks the grave of Henry Loveday (dated 1781, though a 1775 date is also recorded), and is crafted from limestone with a high-relief panel of cherubs on the west and cherubs with an urn and drapes on the east. Finally, an altar tomb (h) commemorates William Loveday (1820), though its design appears to be about 50 years older; it includes quarter balusters, cherubs with urns, and considerable lettering on the north and south panels, sharing a platform and curb with the preceding tomb. The monuments are in varying states of weathering and demonstrate carving detail characteristic of the churchyard.