Stanford on Soar St John the Baptist

Monuments and Memorials

1Brass Plate

In loving memory of Herbert Roy Firth
Died August 28th 1945 age 61 years.
Wife Mabel
Died November 7th 1967 age 78 years.
Son Alfred John
Died July 18th 1984 age 63 years
Offered to their memory
The inscribed altar vases
By
Two surviving sons and daughter in law.

2Two brass plates

These indicate the dedication of the east window. They are inscribed:

Samuel Francis Dashwood died 18th September 1826. Lydia Broughton Dashwood died 25th March 1850. This window was erected in their memory by their surviving children
To the Glory of God
T the stained glass in this window was offered in memory of Samuel Vere Dashwood, for 49 years Rector of this parish who died November 10th 1876, age 72 by his seventeen children and his surviving sister
Photograph of the brass Drawing (with thanks
to the Thoroton Society)

3Medieval Brass

On the floor of the chancel is an engraved brass figure of a priest in robes. It is believed to be a representation of Adam de Rothley, Rector from 1354 to 1361.

4 The Lewes and Dashwood Vault

This inscription on the vault is in Latin and has been translated:

Beneath this vaulted sepulchre lieth CHARLES LEWES Esquire, Patron of this Church and Master of Jurisprudence(?) of Magdalen College Oxford For more or less ten years, most honourable among his former kinsfolk and noble in character, second to none in upright worthiness, a bountiful comrade towards his friends, he alleviated the indigence of those in need (?) by his own hand with his philanthropy (?) when in health. However worn out by a long illness, being the last of his line, he died mourned by many, on the 12th day of March AD 1763 in the 40th year of his age. Sophia, wife of Samuel Phillipps of Garenton in the County of Leicester, his only surviving sister, today ordered this monmument to be erected in memory of her dearest brother.

Also, on top of the vault is a brass plate which reads:

TO THE GLORY OF GOD AND IN MEMORY OF THOSE WHO LIE IN THE VAULT BENEATH ESPECIALLY REV SAMUEL FRANCIS DASHWOOD FOR 25 YEARS RECTOR OF THIS PARISH AND OF LYDIA BOUGHTON HIS WIFE
THIS TABLET IS INSCRIBED BY THE ONLY SURVIVING CHILD MARIA DASHWOOD, AGED 80, JANUARY 1892

In addition, affixed to the wall by the vault is a tablet bearing the inscription:

In memory of Francis Lewis of Stanford Esq who by a peculiar Vivacity and agreeable Turn of Thought, with a sound Judgement, strict Honour, inflexible Justice & a beneficient Disposition improve’d and perfected by a clear Knowkedge & serious Practice of Religion, highly adorned all the Offices of Life. As a Pledge of her tender and affectionate Regard this Monument was erected by Sophia Lewis, his Widow and Executrix, He departed this life March ye 3d 1743 in the 52nd Year of his Age Here also lies Thomas Lewis Esq Son of the above Francis and Sophia his wife.who died the 9th day of June 1747 in the 27th Year of his Age. Here also lies Sophia Relict of ye above F Lewis Esq and Daughter of Sir Samuel Dashwood.A Lady whose life was truly useful and endearing by an Amicable Display of the Social and a sincere practice of all the Christian Virtues. Obt 1st April 1757 Aet 66

5Tablet to Charles Lewes Dashwood

A marble tablet on the wall reads:

In affectionate Remembrance of
CHARLES LEWES DASHWOOD ESQUIRE,
ELDEST SON OF
REV. SAMUEL VERE DASHWOOD,
OF STANFORD HALL, NOTTS;
FORMERLY IN THE 34th REGt. AND 5th FUSILERS
HE SERVED WITH THESE REGIMENTS
IN THE INDIAN MUTINY OF 1857-8
BORN MAY 8th 1833, DIED JANUARY 15th 1891.
THIS TABLET AND THE SOUTH WINDOW
WERE ERECTED BY HIS BROTHERS AND SISTERS

Click here for the “South Window“ mentioned.

6Memorial to the Rev Robert Lewes Dashwood

A wall-mounted memorial reads:

TO THE GLORY OF GOD
AND TO THE VERY DEAR MEMORY OF
ROBERT LEWES DASHWOOD OF STANFORD HALL NOTTS
HE WAS ORDAINED PRIEST IN 1864 AND AFTER
AT SHALFLEET AND YARMOUTH IN THE ISLE OF WIGHT
UNDERTOOK THE SOLE CHARGE OF SHERFIELD-ENGLISH HAMPSHIRE
HE WAS RECTOR OF STANFORD ON SOAR FOR A FEW YEARS
BETWEEN 1877 AND 1881
BORN FEBRUARY 9th 1840, DIED June 23rd 1912

7Thomas & Anne Lewes Monument

Placed quite high on the south wall, at the western end of the south aisle, is an elobarte carved monument to Thomas Lewes (jnr.), his wife Anne, and two of their children who died in infancy.

The ornamentation around the text includes two cherub heads on either side and two skulls at the bottom.

The text reads:

In Memory
of Thomas Lewes Son and Heir of Tho Lewes of Stanford in County of Nott, by Elizabeth daughter of Francis Dashwood of ye City of London Esq.
And of Anne his wife Eldest daughter of St Matthew Andrews in ye County of Surry Knt whose bodies lye in the Vault beneath this place. He died ye 16th March AD 1695. She died ye 18th Jan AD 1694. From them And Thomas Lewes Esq solely at ye cost these three This Church had its Reparation, Ornaments and beauty
Also with them lyes the bodyes of two of their Children both Thomas
And dyed Infants
Fuimus Erimus

8Charles Vere Dashwood Memorial

At the west end of the south wall, immediately below the Thomas & Anne Lewes Monument, there is a tablet headed by a carving of a draped sarcophagus.

This monument is to the memory of Charles Vere Dashwood, his wife Diana, his two sons and their wives.

The text of the tablet reads:

SACRED TO THE MEMORY OF
CHARLES VERE DASHWOOD, ESQre.
WHO DEPARTED THIS LIFE JUNE THE 15th. 1821.
AND OF DIANA HIS WIFE,
WHO DIED, AT CLIFTON, DECEMBER THE 15th. 1812.
MAY THEIR NAMES BE REMEMBERED WITH RESPECT,
THEIR VIRTUES WITH EMULATION.

IN THE SAME VAULT ARE DEPOSITED THE REMAINS
OF CHARLES ARMAND, THEIR ELDEST SON.
ALSO OF HIS FIRST WIFE HARRIET, DAUGHTER OF SIR WILLIAM MIDDLETON, BARt.
AND THOSE OF PHILLIPPS, SECOND SON
OF THE ABOVE CHARLES VERE DASHWOOD, ESQre. AND DIANA HIS WIFE.

9Caroline Dashwood Memorial

On the west wall at the end of the south aisle is a marble tablet, with a carved panel above representing two female figures.

Note: Caroline was first wife of the Rev Samuel Vere Dashwood, commemorated by the memorial immediately below hers.

The text reads:

IN FOND AND GRATEFUL REMEMBRANCE OF
CAROLINE DASHWOOD
WHO DIED MAY 27TH 1840.
TOO SOON FOR OTHERS, BUT NOT FOR HERSELF.
AGED 29 YEARS

10Tablet to the Rev Samuel Vere Dashwood

This is on the west wall of the south aisle, immediately below the memorial to his first wife, Caroline. It reads:

IN AFFECTIONATE REMEMBRANCE OF
SAMUEL VERE DASHWOOD, OF STANFORD HALL, NOTTS.
FOR 49 YEARS RECTOR OF THIS PARISH,
WHO DIED NOVr. 10th. 1876, AGED 72 YEARS

Note: A monument to Samuel Vere Dashwood’s later wife, Edith Elizabeth, is situated on the north side of the church.

11Brass Plaque to Richard Lewes Dashwood

On the west wall of the south aisle, just below the marble tablet to his father, there is a brass plaque dedicated to Richard Lewes Dashwood. It has decorative edging, and is inscribed:

IN AFFECTIONATE REMEMBRANCE OF
MAJOR GENERAL RICHARD LEWES DASHWOOD
SECOND SON OF
REV SAMUEL VERE DASHWOOD OF STANFORD HALL NOTTS
HE SERVED IN THE 34th and 15th REGIMENTS
COMMANDING THE LATTER in the AFGHAN WAR 1879-80
BORN FEBRUARY 18th 1837 DIED JUNE 12th 1905

12Edith Elizabeth Dashwood Monument

In the north west corner of the church is a highly decorated wall monument to the later wife of the Rev Samuel Vere Dashwood. It carries a coloured roundel, probably depicting the Virgin Mary with the infant Jesus and young John the Baptist.

Note: The memorial to Samuel Vere Dashwood himself is located in the south west corner, immediately below the memorial to his first wife.

The text in the lower part of the monument reads:

IN LOVING MEMORY OF EDITH ELIZABETH
WIDOW OF SAMUEL VERE DASHWOOD
OF STANFORD HALL
BORN 27th NOVEMBER 1821 DIED 22nd JULY 1911
THIS TABLET IS PLACED HERE BY HER
SURVIVING SONS AND DAUGHTERS
LOVE IS OF GOD

13Effigy of a Knight

Effigy of a
knight in recess		 Sketch of the
effigy, c.1870s

In the north aisle wall there is a canopied recess with the recumbent figure of a knight which is believed to indicate the tomb of Sir Ambrose Cave, Chancellor to the Duchy of Lancaster and a Privy Counsellor to Queen Elizabeth I

14Brass Plaque to the Rev Richard Alleyne

On north wall of chancel is a brass plaque which reads:

NEAR THIS SPOT LIE THE BODIES OF
THE REVD. RICHARD ALLEYNE, M.A.,
RECTOR OF THIS PARISH,
WHO DIED 11TH NOVR. 1767, AGED 61;
AND PENELOPE, HIS WIFE,
(SHE WAS THE DAUGHTER OF JOHN ALLEYNE, B.D.,
RECTOR OF LOUGHBORO’ AND GRAND-DAUGHTER
OF SIR ANTHONY CHESTER OF CHICHELEY, BART.)
DIED 16TH AUGT. 1773, AGED 65.

TO THEIR MEMORY AND THAT OF 3 OF THEIR CHILDREN
THIS TABLET IS PLACED BY THEIR GREAT GRAND-DAUGHTER
CATHNE. A ROWLAND                              JUNE 1895

Note: Richard Alleyne married his cousin Penelope. Both are said to be descended from Edward I, King of England.

Floor Stones

There are a number of inscribed floor slabs in the church:

1Rev David Pogson, Curate of Loughborough who died August 24th 1739, age 29

2Rev Francis Thwaits, Rector of Stanford on Soar who died August 24th 1721, age 74 and Ann his wife who died August 16th 1719, age 61

3Thomas Stevenson, a former headmaster of the Loughborough Grammar School

4Thomas Hadwen, MA:

Master of the School at Loughborough and Curate of the same

The next two inscriptions were in Latin and have been translated

5

In memory of the most honourable Francis, second son born to Thomas Lewis the Elder Esquire who died on 5 February in the year of our Lord 1680 in the 2nd year of his age and of Thomas, first born son of Thomas Lewis the Younger Esquire who died in infancy on th ( ) of May 16--, Thomas, second son of Thomas Lewis the Younger Esquire, born 14 May 1690, who died in infancy

6

Here Ralph Illingworth Esquire and Agnes, wife of the aforementioned Ralph who died on the 1st day of , on August 1428 on whose souls may God (look ?) (with mercy?)