Records, Historical and Antiquarian, of Parishes Round Horncastle

by J. Conway Walter

The Glovers, and Phillipses, had a fine residence here, of which extensive traces still remain, in moats, fish ponds, and terraced mounds, some 500 yards in length, and covering 5 or 6 acres. The series of ponds and moats are arranged so as to curl about in a curious serpentine shape, forming the outline of a snake with double head. This apparent survival of an old serpent worship, is not unusual in such ancient places as Abury Hill, on Salisbury Plain; Stanton Drew, in Somersetshire; Carnac, in Brittany; &c. (Dean’s “Worship of the Serpent,” 1833); but here it would seem to indicate a greater antiquity than the time of the Glover family. The gardens, and “pleasaunce,” surrounding the residence, must have been very extensive; the farmhouse, now occupied by Mr. Andrew Evison, was part of this residence, and there is some old brickwork among the farm buildings, said to have been part of a private chapel. [237] To the east was an avenue of fine trees, of great age, which were felled in the first half of the 19th century. The family continued at Wispington down to recent times, though in greatly reduced circumstances, the last of them being the Rev. Robert Glover, vicar of the parish from 1795 to 1838. He died leaving a numerous family, scantily provided for. [238a] During his time the church and parsonage would seem to have participated in the dilapidated condition of his own fortune, and in the Register we find the following note, in his own hand:—“The chancell of this church fell in, on Friday the 22 day of November, 1833, about 9 o’clock at night, R. Glover, vicar.”

We now proceed to the church. Both Weir and Saunders state that the edifice, in their day, was without interest. The late Rev. Charles Pratt Terrott, who was appointed to the vicarage, in 1838, by Mr. Christopher Turnor, took down this decayed structure, and erected an entirely new church; and, being well-known as an archæologist of wide learning, and cultivated tastes, [238b] with the aid of the architect, Mr. G. B. Atkinson, of York, he produced a church, which, though small, as the population only required, is one of unusual interest. It was erected in 1863. In the process of demolition of the former church, two late Norman capitals cut from one stone, [238c] were discovered, indicating that there had, at one time, been a Norman edifice here; and, from other relics, it was apparent that this early structure, had been either rebuilt or added to in the 13th century. That building, however, had in turn been superseded by a wretched fabric of no architectural pretensions, now, happily, gone the way of its more worthy predecessors. The present church, dedicated like so many others in the neighbourhood to St. Margaret, is of the Early English style, and consists of a tower with spire, nave, south porch, chancel, and vestry on the north side of the chancel, from which, for economy of space, access is had to the pulpit, standing in the north-east corner of the nave. The nave has coupled lancet windows in the north and south walls; there are detached lancet windows, with a trefoiled light above them, in the west tower wall; and a triplet at the east end of the chancel, and two single lights in its south wall. The tower and spire are almost a copy of the small but elegant spire of Woodhall St. Margaret. It is supported within by the rather unusual arrangement of a narthex or arcade of three arches, and two pillars, instead of the more common single arch. The walls are relieved by coloured patterns running round the windows, and various devices elsewhere, which have a very pleasing effect. The roof of the nave is supported by corbels bearing the symbols of the Evangelists. The pulpit is of Caen stone, with coloured marble shafts, the panels having sculptures, the work of Mr. Terrot, assisted by Mr. Watson Moore, of Horncastle; they represent the Nativity, Nathan and David, and the return of the Prodigal. The font, of the same materials, is adorned with medallions, also carved by the reverend artist, representing the animals mentioned in the New Testament, arranged in groups and intermingled with foliage. Mrs. Terrot’s artistic skill is also shown in the carving of the figure of St. Margaret, placed above a dedication stone in the western wall of the nave, and in various bosses and capitals, as well as in the oaken eagle lectern. The paving of the nave alley is of red and black tiles; that of the chancel of Minton’s encaustic tiles, their richness being increased within the altar rails. The reredos is of the same material, but differing in character. The subjects in the coloured east window, by Messrs Ward and Hughes, are scenes from our Lord’s life on earth; and in the western window, are the figures of St. Margaret, and St. John the Baptist, by the same artists. These were provided through the efforts of Mrs. Terrot, who also obtained the 3rd bell to complete the set. The three bells bear the following inscriptions:—(1) “Ave Maria Graciæ Plena” (diameter 26¾ inches); (2) “Cast by John Warner and Sons, London” (diameter 28 inches); (3) “Sancta Maria Ora Pro Nobis” (diameter 36¾ inches). It is curious that the only bells in a minor key, in this neighbourhood, are those of Baumber and Wispington, contiguous parishes.

Between the font and the west window is a blue slate slab, having the inscription “Here lyeth the body of Robert Phillips, gentleman, who departed this life, the 24th day of June, 1668.” On the south side of this stone, close to it, lies the body of Phillips Glover, Esq. On a white marble monument on the north wall of the chancel, are the arms and crest, of the Phillips family; crest, a white eagle, with blue crown round its neck, on a hemlet, mantled, the visor closed; arms, azure, party per chevron, argent, three white eagles with azure crowns round their necks passant, 1 and 2. Below is the inscription:—“To the memory of John Phillips, Esq., this monument is dedicated by his nephew and heir, Phillips Glover, Esq. He was the second and last surviving son of Robert Phillips, Esq., who lies buried in this chancel. He died unmarried on the 19th of February, 1719–20, aged 62, and in him his family was extinct. In memory of Phillips Glover, Esq: He married Mary daughter and heiress of Richard Lee, Esq., of Winslade, in Devonshire, and left two children, Phillips and Mary. He died, June 28, 1745. Veri cultor et Libertatis. This inscription by his order.”

Opposite this monument is one of white marble, on the south side of the chancel, behind the desk. The arms and crest are the same, with this inscription:—“Near this place lyeth ye bodye of Robert Phillips, Esq., who departed this life, ye 24th of June, 1668. And of Stephen Phillips, Esq., eldest son of Robert, who departed this life, ye 9th of Feb., 1682–3. And of Robert Phillips, of London, Goldsmith, third son of Robert Phillips, who departed this life, the 12 of December, 1707. And of Benjamen Phillips, merchant, fourth son of ye above said Robert, who departed this life, Aug. ye 8th, 1715, æt 49.”

Over the instruments of the Passion, in a medallion above the vestry door, in the chancel (which are really the masonic signs of a Knight Templar’s encampment, [240]) is a tablet with this inscription:—“To the memory of the Rev. Robert Merony Glover, who was upwards of 43 years vicar of this parish. He died Feb. 8th, 1838, aged 62 years. He was the poor man’s friend. Also of Ann, relic of the above Robert Merony Glover, whose remains are interred in the family vault of her parents, at Horncastle. Four of their children rest in this chancel. This tablet is consecrated by the affectionate and grateful survivors.”

In the vestry, on a tablet on the north wall, is this inscription:—“Sacred to the memory of the Rev. John Martinson, late vicar of this church, and rector of Screamby, who departed this life, the 16th of July, 1788, aged 51 years.” An incised slab, now in the floor of the vestry, but whence removed is not known, has an inscription to John Hetherset, “Rector,” in 1399. The figure is habited in full canonicals, even to the gloves.

The benefice is now only a “vicarage”; but the explanation of this difference is, that, at that date, just before the advowson was given to Kirkstead Abbey, it was a rectory. When the rectorial tithes passed to the abbot, the incumbent became the abbot’s vicar.

In the south-east corner of the churchyard, is a tombstone with the inscription:—“In memory of the 18 children of George and Mary Hannath, who all died in their infancy, 1831–1855. [241] He shall gather the lambs in His arms, and carry them in His bosom.”

One of the double lancet windows in the nave, nearest the pulpit has been, within recent years, filled with coloured glass in memory of the Rev. C. P. Terrot, by his widow. The subjects are four:—(1) Bezaleel carving cherubim on the altar, and overlaying them with gold; (2) Aholiab, the cunning workman, looking at his work; (3) our Lord as a youth, working at his trade of carpenter; (4) a medieval priest, presenting before the altar, a small church, which is held in his hands. The two small lancets in the south wall of the chancel have stained glass to the memory of Colonel Charles Terrot, eldest son of the Rev. C. P. Terrot. The subjects are two:—(1) Samuel presented by Hannah in the Temple; (2) Joshua commanding the sun to stand still. The small window over the font was presented by Miss Terrot, the subject being the Holy Dove hovering. Recently Mrs. Terrot presented to the church a casket, containing an account of the restoration, and contents, of the church, beautifully bound. This is kept on a bracket in the east wall of the nave, opposite the pulpit.

We give here a list of the vicars of this parish during the last two and a half centuries. William Azlack, 1662–1670; John Smith, 1670–1707; Thomas Doughty, 1707–8–1754; J. Carr, 1754–1769; John Martinson, 1769–1788; William Chaplin, 1788–1795; Robert Merony Glover, 1795–1838; C. P. Terrot, 1838–1886; Beauchamp St. John Tyrwhitt, 1886–1890; F. S. Alston, 1890–1896; James Alpass Penny, 1896.