Having thus given a hasty sketch of the church as it now is, I shall next proceed to notice, as far as my limits will allow, what must at all times be highly interesting both to the general visitor and the antiquary, viz, the monuments and monumental inscriptions which remain,.—probably the only records of those whose memories they perpetuate, which the all-consuming hand of time has not yet been enabled to destroy. Here, all alike, rest in peace; the dust has mingled with its kindred dust, and the sacred ashes of our forefathers repose in the silence of the grave! It is not improbable but that several of these remains of antiquity were demolished at the time the church was in ruins, either from the fall, or from neglect,—perhaps both, as three only are now remaining whose dates are anterior to that time, and out of these three, two are broken and defaced. The most ancient is in the bishop’s choir, it is a massy tomb three feet two inches high, three feet eleven inches broad, and six feet nine inches long; the inscription on the upper side, which circumscribes the edge is as follows,—.

Along the centre of the stone is the under part of an ornamental cross*, the rest being nearly obliterated; on each side, and nearly in the centre, is the figures of two shields, which formerly contained three crescents upon a bend.—Close by, on the north side, is a marble stone, on the floor, the workmanship of which is in excellent preservation; the following is a copy of the inscription.—

On a stone at the east end of the bishop’s choir, we find the following.—

Another stone not far from the above contains as under.—

The arms are, a cinquefoyle upon a chevron,—twice cut.

In the chancel, on the north side, is an antique and ornamental mural monument, without date; the inscription is as follows.—

Hic jacent
Antiqu et Generosae Domus
reliquae
Beatem expectantes Resurectionem
Jacobi Lane et Annae uxoris
Trium filiorum
Guilielmi Thomae et Jacobi
Et filiae unuis Annae
Nec non fratris Johannis, filijqz ejus Jacobi
quorum omnium
M. S.
Stephanus Rose qui uxorem duxit Mariam
Richardi filij quarti M. A. olim Coll. B. Petri Cantab Socii
filiam unicam et haeredem
Pio et grato animno hoc posuit Monumentum
Ipsum brevi ruiturum.

Nearly opposite to the above is a plain neat marble monument to the memory of William Rose, Gent., having thereon the following eulogy.

Near this place
lye interred
the remains of
WILLIAM ROSE, gent.
son of Stephen and Mary,
educated at Peter House in Cambridge,
M. A. sometime fellow of that College.—
A bright and lively imagination
conducted
by a strong and comprehensive understanding;
and joined
to a singular goodness of heart and generosity of spirit,
qualified him
for what he made the business of his life,
the pursuit and enjoyment of truth;
thus,
what he owed to himself,
the happy frame and disposition of his mind
enabled him fully to accomplish:
what he owed to others,
his ill health and frequent indisposition of body
would not suffer him so fully to discharge,
by entering into
any of the learned professions;
for in many of them he might have excelled,
and become a public benefit;
but for this he made no small amends
by the great merit of his personal example.
In an age of general profligacy,
both in principle and manners:
he adorned the religion of his country,
by the sincerest adherence to its Communion;
and the most rational and zealous profession of its Doctrines
and Moral Virtues, he recommended
by the noblest practice
of Temperance, Justice, Friendship, and extensive Charity.
His family erected this monument
to the memory of so excellent a man,
and so affectionate a brother.
He died in the 58th year of his age,
on the 27th day of May,
in the year of our Lord 1753.

On the north wall of the chancel is another plain marble tablet thus inscribed

TO PERPETUATE THE MEMORY
OF A MOST AMIABLE WOMAN,
IN WHOM WERE UNITED
EVERY RELIGIOUS, MORAL, AND SOCIAL VIRTUE.
THIS MONUMENT WAS ERECTED BY JOSIAS COCKSHUTT, ESQ.
of WEST RETFORD,
TO MARY HIS WIFE,
WHO DIED 26TH DAY OF OCTOBER, 1770,
AGED 19 YEARS.

On the same side near the east window, is a small, but elegant mural monument, containing the following inscription.

To the memory of ROBERT SUTTON, Esq.
whose body lies interred near this place.
He was born 11 Nov. 1690, at Kelham in
this county, and died 13th of Nov. 1776.
In 1720 he was appointed Secretary of the
embassy to the congress at Cambray.
He was afterwards Gentleman Usher to the
late Queen Caroline. Master of the
King’s staghounds in Shirewood Forest—
a Justice of the Peace—and Deputy Lieu-
tenant for this county.
During a residence of many years in this
Town, he was a benefactor to it in the fol-
lowing instances; he gave £100. towards
building the Town Hall,—£l00. towards the
Barnby Common Road—built Pelham Bridge—
paid the assessment for the poor on new
roofing the Church —gave an Organ and a
Bell to the Church.—£200. towards procuring
the Queen’s bounty— and the dividend of a
share in the Canal to the poor of East Retford for ever.
This monument was erected by his Relict Mrs. Mary Sutton.

Exactly opposite to the foregoing is another, from which we transcribe the following.

TO THE MEMORY OF
MR WHARTON AMCOTTS
OF KETTLETHORPE PARK,
THE COUNTY OF LINCOLN, BARONET,
WHO REPRESENTED
THIS RESPECTABLE BOROUGH IN PARLIAMENT
DURING TWENTY YEARS.
HE DIED SEPTEMBER 26TH 1807,
AGED 67 YEARS.
THIS MONUMENT WAS ERECTED BY HIS AFFECTIONATE WIDOW
AMELIA THERESA AMCOTTS.

The only remaining monument to be noticed, in the chancel, is a small, but elegant sacophagus placed immediately over Mrs. Cockshutt’s, bearing the following inscription.

Sacred to the Memory of
JOHN PARKER, ESQ.
Formerly an Alderman of the Corporation of East Retford,
and truly respected by all who knew him:
he died on the 17th day of September, 1786, aged 66 years.
And also of PHILLIS PARKER his wife,
who departed this life on the 2nd July, 1811,
aged 91 years.
A most affectionate wife, good mother, and sincere
christian, ever to be regretted by her Family and Friends.
This monument is erected by their son
JOHN PARKER, ESQ.

An oval tablet, on a dark ground, in the bishop’s choir, gives us the following.

RICHARD MORTON, M. A.
vicar of this Parish
forty-nine years,
died April 20th, 1821, aged 76 years.
To his memory highly endeared
his widow and two surviving daughters
consecrate this tribute of affection.
Five children died in infancy,
Mary, August 27th, 1816, aged 31 years;
George, M. A. and in orders Dec. 9th, 1818, aged 39 years.

On another adjoining this is a plain white tablet edged with black marble, inscribed as under.

In memory of JOSEPH GINEVER, an alderman of this Borough, and a man of inflexible integrity; who died greatly respected, July 15th, 1827, aged 65 years. By his Will, he bequeathed Three Hundred Pounds, to be applied for the use of the Poor Women of this parish for ever.

Another marble tablet, in the north aisle commemorates the death of five of the children of John Holmes, Esq.

In the south aisle are placed four mural monuments, the first of which is to the memory of Thomas Brumby, Alderman, and Mary his wife; another to the memory of Mary, the wife of Francis White; a third to the memory of Thomas Welsh, an Alderman, of this borough; and the fourth (with a transcript of which I shall conclude the catalogue) to that of Beaumont Marshall, Esq.

Sacred
To the memory of
BEAUMONT MARSHALL,
An Alderman of this Borough,
The estimation and respect in which he was held,
By all ranks of Society,
And the influence of his character in general,
Strikingly exemplified how much may be effected
By integrity of principle,
And uprightness of conduct.
If a regular and devout attendance
On the ordinances of religion;
If a faithful discharge of public Trusts
And private Duties; if many social Virtues,
United with unobtrusive Charity,
Could justify a reasonable hope of Salvation,
He might have had whereof to glory:
But being deeply sensible of his utter
Unworthiness in the sight of God,
He trusted exclusively to the merits
Of a crucified Saviour.
He was enabled, by Divine grace,
To support a tedious illness
With comparative patience and resignation,
And departed this life in the blessed hope
Of a glorious Immortality,
On the 13th of April, 1826,
Aged 67 Years.
He bequeathed to the Bailiffs and Aldermen
Of East Retford and their Successors
One Hundred Pounds, for the benefit
Of ten Poor Families, for ever.

THE FONT.

The font in St Swithun's churchThe most curious, if not the most ancient, piece of workmanship in the Church, is the Font, which stands on the left hand immediately on entering the great south door; the pedestal as well as the sculptured ornaments are in good preservation, with the exception of one flower, which has been mutilated for some purpose or other; it stands three feet nine inches high; the pedestal is plain and neat, and on the under side of the body is the figure of a bishop (probably that of St. Swithin) holding a book to his breast. It is generally supposed to be the work of the sixteenth century. In the early ages of christianity, fonts were kept in private houses, and sometimes placed in woods and other secluded places, but afterwards, they were introduced into the porches of churches, and subsequently into their interior parts.

For the sake of record, I shall in the next place proceed to notice the Benefactional Tablets, of which, in this church, there are four, viz. two in the bishop’s choir, and two in the chancel.

IN THE BISHOP’S CHOIR.

Mrs. Hannah Saltmarsh, daughter of Mr. John Smeaton, Alderman of this Town, gave towards the repair and amendment of this Church, the sum of £100 —£30. towards the teaching of the poor children, and £20. for the use of the poor, to be distributed at the discretion of the vicar.—Mrs. Barbara Moody of this Town, gave in the year 1726, the sum of £24. the use of which is to be distributed upon the feast of St. Mark, for ever, amongst six of the poorest widows of this town, at the discretion of the vicar and the Senior Bailiff for the time being.

George Wharton of this Town, Gentleman, gave one close in Dominie Cross to the head Master of the Free School, to read the Common Prayer on every sunday in the afternoon in the Church of East Retford. And also five pounds per annum, out of his estate in Little Gringley, for the teaching and clothing five poor boys of this parish, not being the sons of freemen, for ever; and also gave 15 penny loaves to be given every monthly communion for ever; and appointed John Simpson, James Wharton, Gentlemen, and Thomas Gylby, vicar, trustees for the same.— —Stephen Rose of this Town, Gent. painted and gave the history of the last supper for the adorning and beautifying this chancell.§ —Mrs. Sharpe of this town gave the interest of twenty pounds, now in the hands of the Corporation, to be distributed to the poor, by the Senior Bailiff.

IN THE CHANCEL.

Sir Gervas Clifton, of Clifton, Couy Notts. Kt. and Bart. gave to this Corporation 1 large Silver Bowl, Gilt, 1 lesser Bowl, 2 Wine Bowls, 2 Silver Salts, 12 Silver Spoons, and one Silver Mace.— —Lady Frances Pierpoint. relict of Sr. Henry Pierpoint, of Holme Pierpoint, Couy Notts. Kt. gave an annuity of £10. to be yearly given to Ten of the most poor and aged people of this Town, and appointed the then Chapter of Southwell, and their successors, trustees for the same.— —Sir Geo. Savile of Rufford, Couy Notts. Bart. now Marquess of Hallifax, gave to the re-building of this Church the sum of 20 pounds.— —The Right Hon. Geo. Viscount Castleton. of Sandbecke, Couy York, gave a great quantity of stone by which ye inhabitants were enabled to finish so good a work.——Sr. Edwd Neville, of Grove, Couy Notts. Kt. and Bart. gave to this Corporation, a very stately Silver Mace to be borne before Mr. Senior Bailiff.— —Sr. Wm Hickman, of Gainsbro’, Couy Linc Bart. gave to the Church 2 large Silver Flaggons, 1 large Chalice with cover, 1 large Salver for the Communion Plate.—Wm. Clarke of Walkeringham, Couy Notts. gave by his last will 3 Pounds, to be distributed by equal portions at Lady Day and Michaelmas yearly, to 3 aged poor people and honest behaviour of this town, which sum is to be paid by his heirs for ever, out of his lands, of Gainsbro’, Morton,and Walkrith, Couy Linc and ye Minister and Churchwardens, are authorized by the said will to enter and distraine upon ye said lands in case ye said sum be not paid accordingly.— —Richard Sleswicke of this town, Gent. gave all his lands and tenements whatsoever, lying here or in West Retford, to ye building and maintaining an Hospitall for 3 poor men of this Town, chosen by the Bailiffs and Aldermen, for the time being, who are, by Decree of Chancery, appointed Trustees for the same.— —John Smith, of Worksop, Couy Notts. gave to this town, 4 Pounds, in consideration that the Bailiffs, for ye time being, pay yearly unto the Church-wardens eight shillings, to be distributed upon the feast Retford, every Christmas.

A Catalogue of the Vicars of East Retford.

TEMP. INST.

VICARII ECCLE.

PATRONI.

VACAT.

 

 

Sacrista
Capelle
bte Mar.
Ebor.

 

8 Id. Sep. 1317

Dms. John de Sutton, de Haytefeld Dioc.

ijdem

 

6 Kal. Feb. 1318

Dms. Richard de Shirburn, Pbr

ijdem

 

 

Dms. Roger de Dale, Pbr

ijdem

 

3 Oct. 1349

Dms. William Fulburn, Cap

ijdem

pro. resig pro. vic.

12 April 1358

Dms. Roger de Waddeworth, Pbr

ijdem

p. Mort

28 Nov. 1361

Dms. John Gelle, Cap.

ijdem

 

 

Dms. John de Eton

ijdem

p. Resig pro Eccla.de Scampton Linc Dioc.

24 August, 1364

Dms. Robert de Hay, Cap.

ijdem

p. Mort

9 Sep. 1365

Dms. Thomas de Southorp

ijdem

 

 

Dms. Robert Cave, Pbr

ijdem

p. Resig

15 July 1415

Dms. Robert Castleleyn, Pbr.

ijdem

p. Mort

9 Junii 1421

Dms. Robert Holme, Pbr.

ijdem

 

26 Dec. 1422

Dms. Richard Westeby, Pbr.

ijdem

 

 

Dms. John Luffday, Pbr.

ijdem

p. Mort

16 Feb. 1463

Dms. Thomas Margery, Pbr.

ijdem

p. Resig

14 July 1464

Dms. William Billingley, Pbr.

ijdem

p. resig

12 Sep.1464

Dms. John Gegge, Pbr.

ijdem

p. mort

25 Julv, 1467

Dms. Robert Gill, Cap.

ijdem

p. mort

10 Jan. 1483

Mr. Edmund Pershay, Pbr.

ij dem

p. resig

5 Jan. 1485

Mr. Thomas Karlille, Pbr.

ijdem

p. resig

11 Dec. 1486

Dms. Adam Nicholson.

ijdem

p. dimis

 

Dms. Hugo Bawgy, Pbr.

ijdem

p. mort

15 Aug. 1497

Dms. John Helwes, Pbr.

AEpus vac, sacr.

p. mort

18 Feb. 1506

Dms. John Helwys, Pbr.

Sacr. Capelle

p. mort

4 Feb. 1512

Dms. John Coltman, Pbr.

ijdem

p. resig

3 Feb. 1521

Dms. John Thackbarrow, Pbr.

ijdem

 

36 Oct. 1556

Dms. Nic. Holwell, Cl.

P. and M.
Regnae

p. mort

22 Junii 1565

Alvered Tempest, Cl.

Eliz. Reg.

 

22 Maii 1573

Christopher Say, Cl.

eadem

 

14 Junii 1588

George Turwyn,.Cl.

eadem

p. morf

24 Feb. 1617

Jac. Colley, Pbr. B. A.

Will. Dms
Cavendish.

p. mort

22 Sep. 1618

John Watt, CI. M. A.

Will. Com.
Devons.

p. mort

Ult. March, 1640

Henry Bate, B. A..

ijdem

p. mort

1661

Tim. Luddington, Cl. B. A.

 

 

11 July, 1674

Guil. Wintringham, CI. B. A.

Will.Com.
Devon.

p. mort

1701

Rev. Thomas Gylby, M. A.

ijdem

p. mort

1751

Rev. Joshua Sampson

The King

p. mort

1772

Rev. Richard Morton, M. A.

Duke of Devon.

p. mort

1821

Rev. Thomas F. Beckwith

Sir R. Sutton, Bart.

 

THE METHODIST CHAPEL.

Of which the accompanying engraving presents an accurate delineation, is situate at the east end of Newgate Street, and was erected in 1823. Previous to that time± however, the Methodists were not devoid of a place of worship; this building was in Meeting House Lane (a narrow street branching from Carrhill gate,) and to which it imparted its name. This building had been erected upwards of fifty years. From the increase in the frequenters of that place, it was found to be too small for their accommodation, in consequence of which, the present edifice was erected. It cannot be said, that the interior possesses any thing like grandeur, but it is generally allowed to be upon a methodical and well-arranged plan, being capable of seating upwards of eleven hundred persons. Behind this is the vestry, as well as a spacious school room used on the sabbath day; a burial ground is also attached to the premises. On each side of the chapel is a house for the accommodation of the preachers stationed in the circuit. Hours of service on sundays are at ten in the morning, two in the afternoon, and six in the evening; also on monday evenings at seven o’clock.

A small white marble tablet, edged with black, commemorates the death of Mr. Clater, the celebrated author of "Every man his own Farrier, and Cattle Doctor," as follows— In memory of FRANCIS CLATER, of this place, who departed this life on the 29th May, 1823, aged 67 years...much respected.

INDEPENDENT DISSENTERS’ CHAPEL.

This is a plain brick building, situate on the south side of Chapelgate, directly on the confines of the parish, and was erected upwards of thirty years ago by a lady of the name of Bond, who resided at Morton, near Gainsbro’: at this period it was dedicated solely to the worship of those dissenters who had embraced the tenets of the Countess of Huntingdon; it continued to be used in that connexion for some years, and was then shut up for a season: after a succession of changes it was finally purchased by William Brownlow, Esq. of London, a gentleman well known in the religious world for numerous charitable and benevolent acts, who vested it in the hands of trustees, and presented the use thereof to the Society of Independent Dissenter’s, resident in the town and neighbourhood, in order that it might continue to be devoted to the purposes for which it was originally intended. The interior, though small, has an air of neatness, and appears to have been constructed rather with an attention to the accommodation of the pious, than with a view to adventitious decoration. Adjoining the south end of the chapel is a school room, where a number of scholars are gratuitously instructed in reading, spelling, &c. on the sabbath day.

The hours appointed for the performance of divine service are, on the Lord’s day, at half-past ten in the morning, and half-past six in the evening; a public lecture is also delivered every wednesday evening.

On the west wall is placed a small marble tablet, bearing the following inscription,— Sacred to the memory of RICHARD BULLIVANT, who died the 17th September, 1821, aged 34 years. He was benevolent and generous, active in the promotion of the Redeemer’s kingdom, and deservedly esteemed both as a man and a christian, by all who knew him.

* The earliest floor stones In churches which covered the re mains of mortality, seldom had more inscribed upon them than the name and rank of the person interred; engraved crosses were then forbidden, on account of it being an indignity to trample upon them; afterwards they were sanctioned and generally used, great care however being taken not to tread upon them.
# The surname is entirely obliterated; in all probability the remains of John Helwys, who was vicar of this church about that period.
§ This painting is placed within the altar rails, on the south side of the chancel; nothing more, however, can be said of it, than that it is "an ordinary picture of the Lord's Supper."
±In Mr. Wesley’s Journal I find the following entry…"June 24th, 1786, I preached at New Inn; afterwards at Newark, one of the most elegant towns in England; and in the evening at Retford, on, ‘Isaw the dead, small and great, stand before God’."