North Aisle.
ooking back on your left is a new monument to the memory of Sir Thomas Fowell Buxton, Bart., born April 1, 1786; died Feb. 19, 1845. Endowed with a vigorous mind, of dauntless courage and untiring energy, he was early led by the love of God to devote his powers to the good of man. In Parliament he laboured for the improvement of prison discipline; for the amendment of the criminal code, for the suppression of Suttees in India, for the liberation of the Hottentots in Southern Africa; and, above all, for the emancipation of eight hundred thousand slaves in the British dominions. In this last righteous enterprise, after ten years of arduous conflict, a final victory was given to him and his coadjutors “by the grace of our God,” on the memorable 1st of August, 1834. The energies of his mind were afterwards concentrated on a great attempt to extinguish the slave trade in Africa, by the substitution of agriculture and commerce, and by the civilizing influence of the Gospel. Exhausted in mind and body, “he fell asleep,” reposing in faith on his Redeemer, in the fifty-ninth year of his age. This monument is erected by his friends and fellow-labourers at home and abroad, assisted by the grateful contributions of many thousands of the African race.—Thrupp, sculptor.
Next against the screen of the choir is a fine old monument, whereon lies the effigy of a gentleman at full length in a tufted gown; and underneath, upon the base, was a lady kneeling. By the inscription, these appear to represent Sir Thomas Hesketh, Attorney of the Court of Wards of Liveries in Queen Elizabeth’s time; and Julian, his wife, who caused this monument to be erected. He died October 15, 1605.
Dame Mary James.—A very neat monument, being an urn, wreathed, and crowned with a Viscount’s coronet, on a handsome pedestal. By the inscription, it appears that this lady was the wife of Sir John James, of the ancient family of the Lords of Hosterick, in Holland, and daughter of Sir Robert Killigrew, Vice-Chamberlain to Henrietta Maria, Queen of Charles I. She died Nov. 6, 1677.
Hugh Chamberlain, M.D., and F.R.S.—The principal figure on this monument lies, as it were, at ease, upon a sarcophagus, leaning on his right arm, with his hand upon his cap and his head uncovered. In his left hand he holds a book, indicating thereby his intense application to study. On each side are the emblems of physic and longevity; and over his head is Fame descending with a trumpet in one hand, and in the other a wreath. On the top are weeping cherubs, and on the pedestal a long inscription in Latin, setting forth his vast knowledge and industry in his profession, his humanity in relieving the sick, and his connections and affinities in social and private life. This gentleman was famous for the improvements he made in midwifery, the practice of which, since his time, has been studied by the faculty to great advantage. He died June 17, 1728, aged sixty-four.—Scheemakers and Delvaux, sculptors.
Doctor Samuel Arnold, late Organist of this Church, died October 22, 1802, aged sixty-two years. This monument was erected by his afflicted widow:—
“Oh, let thy still-loved Son inscribe thy stone,
And with a Mother’s sorrows mix his own.”
A sickle cutting the lyre is represented below. Turning round on your right is—
Captain Philip de Sausmarez.—The inscription on this monument is a recital of the deceased’s naval exploits, one of those few whose lives ought rather to be measured by their actions than their days. From sixteen to thirty-seven years of age he served in the navy, and was often surrounded with dangers and difficulties unparalleled, always proving himself an able, active, and gallant officer. He went out a lieutenant on board his Majesty’s ship the Centurion, under the auspicious conduct of Commodore Anson, in his expedition to the South Seas. He was commanding officer of the same ship when she was driven from her moorings at the Isle of Titian. In the year 1746, being Captain of the Nottingham, a sixty gun ship, he (then alone) attacked and took the Mars, a French ship of sixty-four guns. In the first engagement of the following year when Admiral Anson defeated and took a squadron of French men-of-war and Indiamen, he had an honourable share; and in the second, under Admiral Hawke, when the enemy, after a long and obstinate resistance, was again routed, in pursuing two ships that were making their escape, he gloriously, but unfortunately fell. He was the son of Matthew de Sausmarez, of the Island of Guernsey, Esq., by Ann Durell, of the Island of Jersey, his wife. He was born November 17, 1710, killed October 14, 1747, and buried in the Old Church at Plymouth, with all the honours due to his distinguished merits. This monument was erected by his brothers and sisters.—S. H. Cheere, sculptor.