Group Of 4 Monuments In The Churchyard Of The Church Of St Paul Circa 3 1/2 Metres South And South East Of The Chancel

This listing describes a group of four chest tombs located in the churchyard of the Church of St Paul, approximately 3.5 meters south and southeast of the chancel. The tombs are made of limestone and are arranged from west to east.

The first tomb is dedicated to Samuel Newman, who died in 1728, along with other family members. It features a moulded base and a rectangular inscription panel with a bolection moulded surround. The design includes a single rose with drapery hanging down from the center to each marginal panel. The south side has an inscription to Samuel Newman, flanked by two cherubs' heads and swag above, with foliate decoration on either side. The ends of the tomb are lyre-shaped, with cherubs' heads, flowers, and a winged hourglass at the west end, and a plain oval panel with a foliate surround at the east end.

The second tomb is unidentified and located about 0.5 meters north of the first. It dates from the early to mid-17th century and has no visible inscriptions. This monument features a very deep flat-chamfered capping and is largely obscured by vegetation.

The third tomb is also unidentified and situated about 0.5 meters east of the second. It has a plinth with inset corners and sunken rectangular inscription panels with egg and dart mouldings on the north and south sides. The east end features a raised oval with an urn in relief at the center, with gadrooning below, while the west end has crossed palm fronds and a crown, also with gadrooning below.

The fourth tomb, located about 1 meter north of the third, dates from the early 19th century. It has a wide flat standing and circular inscription panels on the north and south sides, surrounded by foliate scrollwork. The east end features a quatrefoil within an oak leaf surround, with a ribbon tie at the top partially covering a Greek key pattern frieze, and gadrooning below. The west end displays an open bible with palm fronds on either side, a crown, and a sunburst, along with a frieze that has a Greek key pattern and gadrooning below. This monument is particularly ornate, with bold relief decoration.