To the Memory of the Reverend
JOHN BRICKDALE BLAKEWAY, M.A. F.A.S.
Thirty-one years Ordinary and Official
And Thirty-two years Minister of this Parish,
This Monument is erected
By the Voluntary Subscription of his Parishioners,
As a tribute of respect for his talents,
Esteem for his virtues,
And gratitude for his long and faithful services
As their Friend and Pastor.
He died the tenth day of March, MDCCCXXVI.
Aged sixty years.
On each side of the above compartment is an elegant niche with a cinquefoil head, octagonal back, and groined ceiling. These niches are surmounted by acute-angled crocketed canopies formed of deep mouldings; and resting on the head of each niche within the canopy is a cinquefoil within a circle. In a similar situation in the centre compartment is a shield containing the following arms:—Argent, on a bend engrailed sable, three bezants; impaling argent, a fess vaire between three unicorns passant, gules.
The above divisions rest on an altar tomb, the front of which is divided into twelve small niches with trefoil heads. These niches are separated by small buttresses, with crocketed canopies and pinnacles.
Mr. Blakeway was the son of Joshua Blakeway, Esq. of this town, and a gentleman whose pleasing adaptation of manners and amiable walk through life gained him the universal respect of his fellow townsmen. Neither the church nor the state had a more faithful defender of its rights or supporter of its dignity, nor the true interests of his native town a more watchful guardian.
As a scholar and a gentleman, united with the character of a true christian, we shall perhaps “ne’er look upon his like again.” As a preacher he was admired for his forcible illustration of holy writ, and the valuable admonitions clothed in the language of affection which his discourses generally contained, whilst his devoutness in the performance of the sacred duties of the sanctuary must have impressed their importance on all who heard them. In his personal appearance he was tall and robust;—his face bore the line of thought, and his ample forehead bespoke the mind that dwelt within. As an author he had written much and published little, and was known only to the literary world previous to 1821 by a few sermons, controversial tracts, and critical notes in Malone’s edition of Boswell’s Life of Johnson. His name, however, will be immortalized in the valuable History of Shrewsbury which he commenced in 1820, with the Venerable Archdeacon Owen, and just lived to see the general history and ecclesiastical portions published in two quarto volumes, which elaborate undertaking will obtain for him and his revered friend and colleague the respect and gratitude of every true Salopian in subsequent generations.
Mr. Blakeway likewise shewed much attention and devotedness to the antiquities of his native county, and the valuable mass of manuscripts he left behind in illustration of its genealogical and topographical history will remain also as a monument of his industry. [52]
His last end was peace,—for he departed almost without a sigh, and nearly without losing that benignant smile which was so peculiar to him. His remains were interred on the right of the west entrance to the church-yard.
Three beautiful specimens of monumental sculpture, designed by the same architect, occupy the north wall, and harmonize with the splendid memorial just described, a detail of which would occupy too much space. The lancet window in the west wall contains a fine ancient figure in stained glass of St. John the Evangelist, arrayed in a robe which displays a most splendid specimen of the ancient ruby glass of the old masters; the hem of the garment is brilliantly studded with pearls.
The Ancient Font stands in the centre of the area, and is very handsome. The basin is octangular, each side having an ornamented quatrefoil, in the centre of which is a large double rose. The angles have been adorned with busts of angels bearing shields, and the pedestal is pierced into gothic arches, divided by small shelving buttresses.
In the north-eastern angle is an octangular turret, in which a small doorway opens to a staircase leading to a chamber which was no doubt once a chantry. It is lighted by a curious triangular window, with a trefoil on the intrado of each arch, the mouldings of which are deeply recessed. Below this is another chantry chapel, now used as a Vestry, having at the east end an early Norman light, and on the north a mullioned window of the fifteenth century. Under a low pointed arch beneath this window is a monumental tomb composed of alabaster, but sunk into the floor for economy of space: it bears the figures of a warrior and his lady in the act of devotion, supposed to represent Nicholas Stafford and his wife Katherine. The former was bailiff of the town in 1458, and died in 1471.