Group Of 9 Monuments In The Churchyard Adjacent To South Side Of Nave And Chancel To Church Of St John The Baptist

A group of nine monuments are situated in the churchyard adjacent to the south side of the nave and chancel of the Church of St John the Baptist. Dating from the early 18th century to the mid-19th century, the monuments are constructed from limestone, with one panel of sandstone. They are arranged in rows running from north to south and from west to east.

There are four pedestal tombs. One, likely from the mid-18th century, is limestone with finely carved gadrooned ends; the west end features two cherubs’ heads, an open book, and fronds, while the east end has similar detailing. It has a cavetto moulded top and base, with illegible inscriptions. Another, dated 1777, is limestone with rounded ends, particularly elaborate on the west side with a sarcophagus and two cherubs’ heads; wreathed side panels feature an egg-and-dart surround, and the top has an enriched cornice above a cyma moulded plinth. Inscriptions are illegible. A third pedestal tomb, from the mid to late 18th century, is limestone and has recessed end panels with relief carving: the west end depicts a Tree of Life, while the east displays an urn and fronds. Raised circular side panels are framed by an egg-and-dart border; it has a hollow moulded top and moulded plinth, with illegible inscriptions. The final pedestal tomb, dating from the late 18th century, is limestone and square, with a fluted frieze, raised side panels rounded at the ends, a cornice moulded top with a domical coping, and a moulded plinth; inscriptions are illegible.

Three chest tombs are also present. One, dated 1747, is limestone with corner pilasters; the west end presents a trophy with a Serpent of Eternity and an hour-glass, alongside a cartouche with a cherub’s head to the east. Bolection moulded side panels have carved flanking panels, and the top is hollow moulded while the base is cyma. It is inscribed to Edward Palling, who died in 1747. Another, dated 1707, is limestone and lyre-ended with boldly carved swirls surrounding the side panels; rectangular end panels are also present and it is inscribed to the children of the Palling family. A third chest tomb, dated 177-, has a limestone body with a sandstone panel, a rectangular shape with corner pilasters, and a panel depicting an open book and fronds on the west end. Inscriptions are illegible.

A single ‘tea caddy’ is also included, dated 1817 and constructed from limestone. It is square, with diagonal moulded corner bracket scrolls, angled fluted pilasters, and a fluted frieze. It is inscribed to Edward Page. Finally, a sarcophagus rests upon a stepped base, dated 1846. It’s constructed from sandstone with slate inscription panels and a limestone base, featuring plain corner pilasters, a cornice top with weathered coping, and a maker's name, Lewis, inscribed on the base. The sarcophagus commemorates Martha, wife of Joseph Watts, who died in 1846.