Listed Tombs in St Michaels Churchyard

In 1991, Megan and Donald Watts, under the direction of the St Michael's Church, used the Department of Environment's 1985 assessments of listed structures in the UK, and took an inventory of the Grade II listed structures in the courtyard of St Michaels and All Angels Church in Melksham. Their work comprises an important analysis of the (then) current conditions of these tombs. Their original work has been reset to fit in a web format to appear here. Their introduction reads:

    “Following an inspection by the Department of the Environment in 1985, 43 chest tombs and the two gates to the churchyard of St Michaels, Melksham, were listed Grade II. A schedule, together with photographs, was produced.
    In 1991 we were asked by the chairman of St Michael's Church fabric committee to trace, map, photograph and record the condition of these tombs. By comparing individual tombs with photographs taken in 1985 we found that a few tombs were in a better condition, in that ivy had been cleared and surrounding long grass and nettles cut down.
    However, many have deteriorated, mostly through the ravages of ivy, encroaching between frieze and cornice, and at corners. No. 95 is conspicuous, completely shrouded with thick branches of ivy which had to be tugged away to reveal architectural features for identification. The large yew tree to the north of the church, under which many tombs are clustered, was damaged by the gales, and now some branches rest on the tombs. No. 80, standing in 1985, is now completely collapsed, with the top only remaining, lying on the ground. The Beaven monument, No. 83, is in very poor condition, with rusted railings, the tomb within overgrown with bramble and ivy.
    The state of each tomb is recorded individually in the schedule accompanying the photographs.
    Megan Watts
    Donald Watts
    October 1991”


Hover your mouse over each red number to see further information.

Location of tombs

Definitions of architecural features mentioned (from their own drawings) Link
  52Turner Memorial
52
Turner memorial in the churchyard about 45 metres south of Lady Chapel of the Church of St Michael.
Chest tomb. Early C19. Limestone with slate inscription panel. Acanthus leaf decoration to top, urn and drapery either side of panels. To James Turner; date illegible.
Report: Surrounded by uncut nettles, etc. Date is legible - 1835
  Turner Memorial
53Curnick Memorial
53
Curnick memorial in the churchyard about 43 metres south of Lady chapel of the Church of St Michael.
Chest tomb. Mid C19. Limestone. Side and end panels with quarter balusters to corners, corniced top and frieze below. Earliest legible date is 1835.
Report: Ivy growing all round from cornice. Long grass and nettles surround it.
Curnick Memorial
54Breach Memorial
54
Breach memorial in the churchyard about 12 metres south of Lady Chapel of church of St Michael.
Chest tomb. Mid C19, but C18 style. Limestone. Two panels to each side with corner quarter balusters, plinth and moulded cornice. Aaron Breach died 1834.
Report: Condition reasonable.
Breach Memorial
56Watson Memorial
56
Watson memorial in the churchyard about 8 metres south of Lady chapel of church of St Michael.
Square tomb. Early C19. Limestone. diamond panel to each side, plinth and moulded cornice, swept top. James Watson died 1818.
Report: Condition reasonable.
Watson Memorial
57Williamson Memorial
57
Williamson memorial in churchyard about 10 metres south of Lady Chapel of Church of St Michael.
Chest tomb. Late C18. Limestone. One panel to each side, plinth, broken weathered top. Elizabeth Tinney died 1791.
Report: broken top.
Williamson Memorial
58Hutton Memorial
58
Hutton Memorial against east end of Church of St Michael.
Chest tomb. Early C19, but C18 style. Limestone. Two panels to sides separated by carved drapery, quarter balusters to corners, plinth, grooved frieze and moulded cornice. Mary Hutton died 1806.
Report: Some ivy.
Hutton Memorial
59Harris Memorial
59
Harris memorial in the churchyard about 23 metres north of chancel of church of St Michael.
Chest tomb. Early C19 but C18 style. Limestone. south side has 2 square fielded panels, north side has one oval fielded panel with carved drapery to sides, quarter balusters to corners. Plinth, grooved frieze and corniced top. Earliest date is 1819.
Report: Good condition.
Harris Memorial
60unidentified
60
Unidentifiable memorial in the churchyard about 25 metres north of chancel of Church of St Michael.
Chest tomb. Late C18. Limestone. Two oval fielded panels separated by pilasters to either side, corner pilasters. Plinth, pulvinated frieze, corniced and bevelled top. Inscription not legible.
Report: Good condition.
unidentified
61Winter Memorial
61
Winter memorial in the churchyard about 5 metres north of chancel of Church of St Michael.
Chest tomb. Early C19. Limestone. Two fielded panels either side separated by reeded pilasters, cornice, plain frieze to top. Inscription not legible.
Report: Ivy has encroached.
Winter Memorial
62Springford Memorial
62
Springford memorial in the churchyard about 1 metre north of chancel of Church of St Michael.
Chest tomb. Late C18. Limestone. Two octagonal fielded panels with fine naturalistic foliage carving in central panel, finely carved quarter balusters to corners and octagonal end panels with cherubs. Plinth, grooved frieze with rosettes below corniced and bevelled top. Sarah Springford died 1780.
Report: Good condition.
Springford Memorial
63unidentified
63
Unidentifiable memorial in the churchyard about 3 metres north of north side of Church of St Michael.
Chest tomb. Late C18. Limestone. Tow fielded shield panels to either side separated by pilasters to corners. Plinth and corniced top. Inscriptions no legible.
Report: Corner plinths and side panel nearest to perch now detached. Infested with ivy.
unidentified
64unidentified
64
Unidentifiable memorial in the churchyard about 4 metres north of north side of Church of St Michael.
Chest tomb. Late C18. Limestone. One deeply fielded panel to all sides with carved foliage panels either side of main panels. Plinth, pulvinated frieze and corniced top. Inscriptions not legible.
Report: Covered in ivy, and yew branches leaning on top. Leaning south towards church.
unidentified
65Fox Memorial
65
Fox memorial in the churchyard, about 13 metres north of porchh of Church of St Michael Chest tomb. Early C19. Limestone. Two fielded panels to sides with gorrved pilaster between, and stylised flower panels to corners, plinth, grooved frieze and corniced top. William Fox died 1847.
Report: Turf to west side opened. William Fox died 1849, not 1847. Sarah Fox died 1817 - not recorded. The fielded panels are only on the north side. The south side has one central oval panel with stylised leaf decoration in spandrels (2 fielded panels flank(.
Fox Memorial
66Redman Memorial
66
Redman memorial in the churchyard about 13 metres north of north side of church of St Michael.
Chest tomb. Late C18. Limestone. Large oval fielded panel to both sides, with cherubs and carved drapery, quarter balusters to corners, plinth, frieze with stylised flowers and corniced top. John Redman died 1784.
Report: Good except for damage to frieze, and very submerged by fallen yew branches.
Redman Memorial
67Miles Memorial
67
Miles memorial in the churchyard about 13 metres north of north aisle of Church of St Michael.
Chest tomb. Late C18. Limestone. Plinth, oval panel to main sides with flanking recessed rectangular panels, corners have stylised floral carving, pulvinated frieze, moulded cornice and hipped top. William Miles died 1810.
Report: Ivy growing around tomb base and up sides. Hipped top of tomb damaged.
Miles Memorial
68Harris Memorial
68
Harris memorial about 10 metres south of north gates to churchyard of church of St Michael.
Chest tomb. Late C18. Limestone. Plinth, oval fielded panel with cherubs to both main sides, flanked by carved drapery and with quarter balusters to corners, grooved frieze and corniced top. Sarah Harris dies in 1799.
Report: Ivy enclosed. tomb slopes to west, and is partly sunk in ground.
Harris Memorial
69Sims Memorial
69
Sims memorial about 9 metre south of north gates to churchyard of church of St Michael.
Chest tomb. Late C18. Limestone, Plinth, north side has two hexagonal fielded panels and south side has two fielded shield panels, separated by fielded pilasters and with fielded pilasters to corners, pulvinated frieze and corniced top. Robert Sims died 1771.
Sims Memorial
70Green Memorial
70
Green memorial about 7 metres south of north gates to churchyard of Church of St Michael.
Chest tomb. Late C18. Limestone. Two hexagonal fielded panels to both main sides separated by fielded pilasters with rosettas also to corners, pulvinated frieze and corniced top. Earliest date is 1777.
Green Memorial
71Salter Memorial
71
William Salter memorial about 3 metres south of north gates to churchyard of church of St Michael.
Chest tomb. Late C18. Limestone. Plinth, central panel flanked by fielded pilasters and with grooved corners, moulded cornice to top. Dates not legible.
Report: Crowded by sycamore bush to north. Overgrown laurel partly over tomb top. Ivy encroached on north side.
Salter Memorial
72unidentified
72
Unidentified memorial about 2 metres northwest of Fox memorial in churchyard of Church of St Michael.
Chest tomb. Late C18. Limestone. Plinth, fielded panel flanked by fielded pilasters to either side and ends, plain corners, corniced top. Inscriptions not legible.
Report: Half submerged to east. Yew branch fallen on to cornice.
unidentified
73unidentified
73
Unidentified memorial about 3 metres northwest of Fox memorial in churchyard of Church of St Michael.
Chest tomb. Late C18. Limestone. Plinth, two shields to main sides surrounded by stylised floral carving, flat corniced top. Inscription not legible.
Report: Very good foliage carving. Half submerged and leaning to north. Ivy at base, and yew branch fallen on cornice.
unidentified
74unidentified
74
Unidentified memorial about 9 metres south of north gates to churchyard of church of St Michael.
Chest tomb. Late C18. Limestone. Raised shield panels to both sides and ends, separated by stylised floral carving, corniced flat top. Inscriptions not legible.
Report: Slight leaning to south.
unidentified
75unidentified
75
Unidentified memorial about 10 metres south of north gates to churchyard of Church of St Michael.
Chest tomb. Late C18. Limestone. Plinth, 2 round-headed fielded panels to main sides separated by carved drapery - to corners also, corniced flat top. Inscriptions not legible.
Report: Condition poor - sunk to south. Panel on north side broken and falling into tomb. Frieze broken.
unidentified
76unidentified
76
Unidentified memorial in the churchyard about 13 metres north of porch of church of St Michaels.
Chest tomb. Late C18. Limestone. Plinth, 2 oval fielded panels to sides with corner and central fielded pilasters, corniced flat top. Inscriptions not legible.
Report: Condition good, but somewhat sunk to south.
unidentified
77Shaul Memorial
77
Shaul memorial in the churchyard about 6 metres north of porch of Church of St Michael.
Chest tomb. Late C18. Limestone. Plinth, 2 moulded round-arched panels to main sides, separated by pilasters with capitals; to corners also, corniced and hipped top. Earliest date is 1771.
Report: Condition fairly good. Plinth broken to north.
Shaul Memorial
78unidentified
78
Unidentifiable memorial in the churchyard about 6 metres north of porch of Church of St Michael.
Chest tomb. Late C18. Limestone. Plinth, main side panels have fine foliage decoration, pulvinated frieze to base of ends and corners, naturalistic oak carvings and cherubs to end panels, corniced and scalloped edging to weathered top. Incumbent died 1775. Evidence of a removed railed enclosure.
Report: Impressive tomb. Carving still good on north and west. Some flaking to south. Part of south side carved plinth misplaced.
unidentified
79unidentified
79
Unidentifiable memorial in the churchyard about 6 metres north of nave of Church of St Michaels.
Chest tomb. Late C18. Limestone. Tow octagonal fielded panels to sides and ends, separated by panel of stylised floral carving, fielded pilasters to corners, corniced flat top. Inscriptions not legible.
Report: Badly sunk to north.
unidentified
80unidentified
80
Unidentifiable memorial in the churchyard about 7 metres north of nave of Church of St Michael.
Chest tomb. Late C18. Limestone. Plinth, 2 circular fielded panels to sides and ends, with central and corner panels of stylised foliage carving, corniced flat top. Inscription not legible.
Report: Tomb uprights have been removed; only the top remains lying on ground.
unidentified
81Gate Memorial
81
Gate memorial in the churchyard about 4 metres north of nave of Church of St Michael.
Chest tomb. Late C18. Limestone. Plinth, 2 oval fielded panels to sides are separated by fielded pilaster and surrounded by stylised floral carving, plain corners, pulvinated frieze and corniced flat top with additional tablets. Earliest date is 1772.
Gate Memorial
82Collett Memorial
82
Collett memorial in the churchyard about 4 metres north of northwest corner of north aisle of Church of St Michael.
Chest tomb. Early C19. Limestone. C18 style. Plinth, two rectangular fielded panels to mains sides, with balusters and drapery between, quarter balusters to corners, grooved frieze with rosettes and corniced flat top. William Collett died 1835.
Report: condition good.
Collett Memorial
83Beaven Memorial
83
Beaven chest tomb in railed enclosure about 9 metres north of tower of Church of St Michael.
Chest tomb in railed enclosure. Early C19. Limestone tomb and cast iron spear head railings on tall feet. C18 style. Plinth, oval fielded panel to main sides with cherubs and naturalistic carved floral panels to either side of main panel, quarter balusters to corners, grooved frieze and cornice to hipped top. Mary Beaven died 1811.
Report: Condition terrible - brambles and ivy cover the tomb. Surrounding railings rusted.
Beaven Memorial
84Crook Memorial
84
Crook memorial in the churchyard about 9 metres to northwest of tower of church of St Michael.
Chest tomb. Early C19. Limestone. Plinth, two octagonal fielded panels to main sides, with central and corner fielded pilasters with rosette, cornice and pulvinated frieze to flat top.
Report: Condition fairly good; some damage to frieze on south side, and also northwest corner pilaster, and plinth.
Crook Memorial
85unidentified
85
Unidentifiable memorial in the churchyard about 7 metres west of tower of Church of St Michael.
Chest tomb. Early C19. Limestone. Plinth, two octagonal fielded panels to main sides separated by plain pilasters, cornice to flat bevelled top. Inscriptions not legible.
Report: condition good, but overhung with yew.
unidentified
86unidentified
86
Unidentifiable memorial in the churchyard about 6 metres west of tower of Church of St Michael.
Chest tomb. C19. Limestone. Plinth, two fielded shields to main sides, surrounded by stylised carved foliage, shield to west end and wraps to east end, cornice and hipped top. Inscriptions not legible.
Report: Badly infested with ivy - will damage frieze and cornice.
unidentified
87unidentified
87
Unidentifiable memorial in the churchyard about 8 metres west of tower of church of St Michael.
Chest tomb. Late C18. Limestone. Two rectangular fielded panels to main sides with central panel of carved foliage with balusters, quarter balusters to corners, grooved frieze and cornice to flat top. Inscription not legible.
Report: Ivy encroaching under cornice.
unidentified
88Newman Memorial
88
Newman memorial in the churchyard about 12 metres west of tower of church of St Michael.
Chest tomb. Late C18. Limestone. Flush panels to sides with incised oval panel and stylised floral decoration, plain frieze and cornice to flat top. Anthony Newman died 1791.
Report: Ivy encroached under cornice.
Newman Memorial
89Bruges Memorial
89
Bruges memorial and railed enclosure against south wall of south aisle of Church of St Michael.
Square ledestal tomb in circular railed enclosure. Early C19. Limestone tomb and good cast iron spear head railings on tall feet. Tomb has marble panels to each side on plinth with projecting corner pilasters, deep cornice and marble (urn) with finial to top. Thomas Bruges died 1835.
Report: Condition good.
Bruges Memorial
90Nalder Memorial
90
Nalder memorial about 0.5 metres south of south aisle of church of St Michael.
Chest tomb. Early C19. Limestone. Plinth, oval panel to main sides flanked by fluted panels and with stylised floral decoration to corners, cornice to weathered top. Thomas Nalder died 1836. Charles Lea died 1827.
Report: Condition good except for broken plinth.
Nalder Memorial
91Townsend Memorial
91
Townsend memorial in the churchyard about 12 metres north of north isle of church of St Michael.
Chest tomb. Mid C19. Limestone. gothic style. Plinth, three recessed trefoil arched panels to each main side and one trefoil arched panel to ends, cornice to weathered top. Most inscriptions not legible.
Report: Condition good.
Townsend Memorial
92Rutty Memorial
92
Rutty memorial about 34 metres from south wast corner of Lady Chapel of church of St Michael.
Chest tomb. Early C19. Limestone. Plinth, oval flush panels with fluted spandrels and fluted corners, grooved frieze with rosettes and cornice to weathered top. Earliest date is 1821.
Report: Ivy badly encroached.
Rutty Memorial
93Maggs Memorial
93
Maggs memorial in the churchyard about 35 metres from southeast corner of Lady Chapel of Church of St Michael.
Chest tomb, Mid C19. Limestone. Plinth, plain inscription panels, quarter balusters to corners, cornice to hipped top. Earliest date is 1836.
Report: Ivy overgrown all over top.
Maggs Memorial
94unidentified
94
Unidentifiable memorial in the churchyard about 11 metres east of east end of church of St Michael.
Chest tomb. Early C19. Limestone. Plinth, fielded panels to sides and ends with narrow fielded pilasters to corners, cornice and pulvinated frieze to flat top. Inscriptions not legible.
Report: Some ivy, otherwise good.
unidentified
95Hutton Memorial
95
Hutton memorial in the churchyard about 9 metres north of chancel of Church of St Michael.
Chest tomb. Late C18. Limestone. Plinth, one rectangular fielded panel to south side and oval fielded panel to north side, with carved drapery to either side of both, quarter balusters to corners, grooved frieze and corniced flat top. Inscriptions not legible.
Report: Terrible condition. Thickly overgrown with ivy.
Hutton Memorial
96unidentified
96
Unidentifiable memorial in the churchyard about 9 metres north of aisle of church of St Michael.
Chest tomb. Early C19. Limestone. Plinth, one oval fielded panel to main sides with flanking panels of stylised floral decoration and drapery to corners, corniced flat top. Inscriptions not legible.
Report: Ivy encroached. Damaged corners and plinth. Yew branches cover top of tomb.
unidentified
97Gate Piers
97
Gate piers and gates with overthrow to north side of churchyard of Church of St Michael.
Gate piers and main gates. Early C19. Limestone ashlar. 3 square piers with points, deep cornice and hipped top. Gates are cast iron with spear heads and decorative wrought iron bottom panels, overthrow with lantern.
Report: Ugly wire on north pillar. North pillar damaged at base.
Main Gateway
97Gate Piers
97
Place Road gate piers and gates on the west side of churchyard of Church of St Michael.
Gate piers and gates. Early C19. Limestone ashlar. 2 square piers with points, deep cornice and hipped top. Gates are cast iron with spear heads and decorative wrought iron bottom panels, overthrow with lantern.
Report: Place Road gates - lantern broken.
Place Road Gate