Pair Of Table Tombs Approximately 15 Metres West Of Church Of All Saints

SE 2860-2960 8/98

RIPLEY MARKET PLACE (south side, off) Pair of table tombs approximately 15 metres west of Church of All Saints

GV II

Two table tombs. Dated 1723, 1781 and 1800. For Ralph Sanby (d1723), and Ralph Robinson (dl800) and his wife Judith (d1781). Stone. The earlier tomb (left) is composed of a large slab with hollow-moulded edges standing on 6 pillars. Each pillar has cavetto-moulded base and cap and a moulded central band; the central pillars are set diagonally. The inscription is deeply cut: "Here lyes the body of / Ralph Sanby born at / Gouldsbrough who / was servant to Sir / William Ingilby and / Sir John Tngilby Bart / 57 years he died ye / 22 of May / Anno Dom 1723 Aetat 77". Ralph must have become Sir Williams servant in 1666, 14 years after he succeeded to the title; and could have been servant to Sir John from 1682; the period was one of recovery from the civil wars and subsequent disturbances at the succession of William III in 1689 when Sir John fled to the continent as a supporter of James II; the period was also one of development of the Ripley estates and it is significant that this loyal servant should have been buried in a fine tomb on the south side of the path between the castle gateway and the church. The tomb is very similar in style to that in Hampsthwaite churchyard, dated 1711 (qv). The later tomb (right) has a single slab with hollow and roll mouldings to the edge, standing on 6 Tuscan-style columns. The inscription is most informative: "Here lyeth the Body (of) / Judith Wife of Mr Ral(ph) / Robinson of Ripley buried / December the --- 1781 Aged 77 / At the Side of this Stone are / deposited the Remains of Mr / Ralph Robinson of this town / departed this Life on the 18th Day / of Dec 1800 in the 88 Year of his (age) / He lived in the Ingilby Family (in) / different Capacities 70 Years / the last 40 of which he was / Steward / HERE / Also lyeth William Son of the / above Ralph and Judith Robinson / buried Nov the 20 1760 Aged 21". Ralph Robinson was a servant to Sir John Ingilby (d1741) and became steward in 1760 to his illegitimate son John who took the family name and arms by act of Parliament c1772. As steward he must have had considerable responsibility during the rebuilding of Ripley Castle from 1784 and during the absence of Sir John who had to flee his creditors in 1794. The tomb stone also has a significant position next to the pathway between the church and the castle.

Listing NGR: SE2829660503