Memorial Inscriptions in the Churchyard and Inscriptions in the Church of
St Denys Church, Colmworth
September 2009
Inscriptions in the churchyard were first read in 1914 by Arthur Weight Matthews, dated 3rd Sep 1914 (Bedford Archives CRT 120/15/15/13).
A comprehensive recording was undertaken in July 1993 by Harvey Smith of Cregneish, Honeydon Road, Colmworth, Beds, MK44 2LY, who read the inscriptions and numbered the graves.
The inscriptions have been reread and revised in the summer of 2009 by Sue Jarrett on behalf of the Colmworth and Neighbours History Society. Both the earlier lists were consulted and the memorials checked against the Colmworth Burial Registers and the National Death Indexes. Where differences exist they have been checked and revised as far as is possible. The numbering of graves by Harvey Smith has been used and extended.
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Contents
Map of Churchyard / 5Maps A, B, C and D / 6 - 9
Memorial Inscriptions on Map A / 10
Memorial Inscriptions on Map B / 23
Memorial Inscriptions on Map C / 44
Memorial Inscriptions on Map D / 70
Inscriptions inside the Church / 92
Appendix / 101
Index / 102
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1
St Denys Church, Colmworth, Memorial Inscriptions (Map A)
Area above the path to the north and west of the porch (Map A)
6) Baby Huckle (unmarked grave)
Descendants recall that the first born child of Albert Huckle and Hilda (nee Infield) was a still born baby girl in 1922. The family recall that Albert made a small wooden coffin which he carried up to the churchyard and buried her somewhere against the hedge at the end of the row containing graves 7-10. The baby was not recorded in the church burial records.
7) Maud and Robert Saunders (headstone)
In
Loving Memory of
Our dear son
Robert Michael Reed
Saunders
Died 5th July 1960
Aged 13 years
Also his mother
Maud Ivy Saunders
Died 4th Dec. 1979
Aged 53 years
Sadly missed
8) Alice Bridges (headstone)
In
Loving Memory of
Dear Mother
Alice Bridges,
Died 18th December 1967
Aged 88 years.
At Rest.
9) Eliza & Ellias Colgrave (headstone)
In Loving Memory of
Eliza,
The Beloved Wife of
Elias Colgrave,
Who died September 7th 1911,
Aged 73 years.
“Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord.”
“Thy will be done.”
Also of
Elias Colgrave.
The Dearly beloved husband of the above,
who departed this life,
April 23rd 1922,
Aged 79 years.
“Put thou thy trust in the Lord, and
he shall give thee thy hearts desire.”
10) George & Mary Infield (headstone)
In
Loving Memory of
Mary Ann,
Beloved Wife of
George Samuel Infield,
Who died 12thNOVr. 1918;
Aged 53 years.
“The Lord watch between me and Thee,
When we are absent one from another.”
Also of
George Samuel Infield,
Who died 6th Febry. 1933;
Aged 61 years.
“REST in the lord.”
John Infield (unmarked grave)
Descendants of the Infield family recall that John Infield, father of George Samuel Infield was buried somewhere nearby. The Colmworth Burial Registers record -
1918 / Infield / John / Colmworth and Thurleigh / Aug / 10 / 87 yrs11) Elizabeth Mary Woolston (headstone)
In
Much loved memory of
Elizabeth Mary, the Beloved wife of
John Woolston,
Baptist Minister late of Keysoe
Who died at IrEchester
9th Jany 1880;
Aged 76 years.
O what is all below the sky
To mortals, when they come to die,
And leave this world behind:
There’s none but Christ can save from hell
And FIt the soul with HIM to dwell
And raise our dust [rITined.]
11a) This gravestone was read by Matthews in 1914 but was not read by Harvey Smith in 1993 and was probably near to his wife.
John Woolston –
SACRED REMEMBRANCE OF
JOHN WOOLSTON
42 YEARS BAPTIST MINISTER
OF KEYSOE ROW
WHO DIED 16TH SEPT 1874
AGED 74 YEARS
JUST SUCH A SAVIOUR THAT I NEED
IN JESUS CHRIST THE SINNER’S FRIEND
JUST SUCH A HEART FOR ME MUST BLEED
OR I MUST PERISH IN THE END.
JUST SUCH A SAVIOUR SUITS ME WELL
THAT DRAWS TO HEAVEN, THAT DRAWS FROM HELL
15) David Webster (headstone)
IN LOVING MEMORY
OF
A DEAR HUSBAND AND FATHER
DAVID WEBSTER
DIED 9TH JANUARY 1996
AGED 51 YEARS
NOTHING IN MY HAND I BRING
SIMPLY TO THE CROSS I CLING
20) Eben Fensom (headstone)
In
Affectionate
Remembrance of
Eben Fensom.
Who died 5thFEBY 1880:
Aged 46 years
For so he Giveth his beloved sleep.
Farewell dear friends and be content
For unto you I was but lent:
The Lord has only had his due
And very soon will call for you.
NOTES FROM Arthur Weight Matthews (1914) SAYS THAT Eben was 45 yrs but the gravestone and registers say 46 yrs
Colmworth Burial Registers -
1880 / Fensome / Eben / Colmworth / Feb / 9 / 46 yrs26) Florence & John Matthews (headstone)
In
Loving memory
Of
John Matthews
Dear Husband and Father
Died 24th December 1961
Aged 70 years.
Also
Florence Matthews
Died 6th April 1975
Aged 80 years
John Matthews is not listed in the Colmworth Burial Registers but Florence is listed.
27) Lucy Matthews (headstone)
In Loving Memory
Of
A dear Wife
And mother
Lucy Matthews
Died July 11th 1981
Aged 62 years
28) Stanley John Matthews (headstone)
In Loving Memory
Of
Stanley John
Matthews
Beloved husband and father
1919 – 1989
Treasured Memories.
Colmworth Burial Registers -
1989 / Matthews / Stanley John (ashes) / Homestead, Channels End, Colmworth / May / 15 / 69 yrs29) John and Thomas Austin (headstone and footstone)
In Memory
Of
John, son of
John & Elizabeth austin
who died oct. 28 1832
Aged 8 years & 6 Months
Also Thomas their son
Who died Nov. 25th 1832
Aged 5 years & 6 months
verse read by Matthews in 1914 - Oh parents dear weep not for us.
Nor yet be over sad
The fewer years we liv’d on earth,
The fewer faults we had
Our days were few while here below
The longer is our rest
God call’d us hence in early life
Because he thought it best.
Burial registers confirm John and Thomas Austin in 1832,
Austin / John / Colmworth / Oct / 30 / 8 yrsAustin / Thomas / Colmworth / Nov / 27 / 5 yrs
30) Edna Joyce Matthews (headstone)
Edna Joyce Matthews
Treasured Wife, Mum, Nan,
Grandmama & Great Nanna
1st August 1923
To
24th March 2002
“I believe in God,
the Eternal Father,
and in His Son,
Jesus Christ
and in the Holy Ghost.”
“Never say in grief
She is no more
Only say in
thankfulness
She was.”
35) Alice King, James King, Mary King, Richmond Stephen Bass and Eleanor Elizabeth Bass, nee King (kerbed grave with slab and memorial flower pot)
south kerb -In Loving memory of James William King, born Dec. 1st 1840
west kerb -“At Rest”
north kerb - Died at Gt Staughton, NOV. 12th 1916
slab inside kerbing - Also his daughterS
Mary Anne King
Born June 14th 1865
Died June 24th 1939
Alice King
Born Feb. 16th 1869
Died Feb. 1st 1947
Eleanor Elizabeth
Beloved wife of Richmond
Born April 26th 1873
Died Feb. 1st 1951.
Memorial flower pot - In loving memory of
a dear husband and father
RICHMOND STEPHEN
BASS
Died 25th Nov. 1991
Aged 75
N.B. The census suggests that Eleanor was born in 1874/75.
36) Annie King, Henry John King, Ruby Joan King, Albert George Thompson, George, Leah & Mary King (kerbed double grave)
west sideTreasured Memories of
north sideHenry John King Died 19th June 1949 Aged 71 years
east sideRe-united
south sideAlso his deVOTED wife Annie died 16th May 1950 Aged 66 years
In Harvey Smith’s notes he noted that Albert George Thompson’s ashes are at the foot of this grave and that Ruby Joan King’s ashes are at the south west of this grave.
Albert George Thompson is not listed in the Colmworth burial records.
In Rev Sheila Morton’s notes it is noted that George, Leah and Mary King are in grave 36. It is possible that they are nearby rather than in this double plot.
The burial registers note the burials as -
1919 / King / Leah / 9 Ashburnham Road, Bedford / Feb / 25 / 571919 / King / Mary / Colmworth / Mar / 31 / 71
1927 / King / George / Wilden / Sep / 3 / 77
From census returns it is possible to work out that George King was the uncle of Henry John King buried in grave 36. Leah was the wife of Richard King, who died in 1901 and was buried in Colmworth Churchyard.
37) Ruby King and Edward Thomas King (headstone)
In
Loving Memory of
MY DEAR WIFE
RUBY KING
WHO DIED NOV. 4TH 1991
AT REST
ALSO
EDWARD THOMAS
KING
WHO DIED JAN. 27TH 2005
REUNITED
46) Mary and Thomas Rust, James and Eliza King (headstone)
Sacred
To the memory of
Mary the beloved wife of
Thomas Rust.
And of
James & Eliza King
Who departed this life
29th May 1870
Aged 28 years
……………..
………………
………………
Colmworth Burial Registers -
1870 / Rust / Mary / Wilden / Jun / 2 / 28 yrs48) Ann & Low Giddings (headstone)
In Memory
Of
Low Giddings
Died March 18th 187..
Aged 69 years
……………..
Ann Giddings
Widow of THE ABOVE
Died (March) 1..th 189(2)
Aged ….. Years
NOTES FROM Arthur Weight Matthews (1914) notes that Low died in 1870 and Ann died 4th March 1892 aged 86 yrs
Colmworth Burial Registers -
1870 / Giddings / Low / Colmworth / Mar / 22 / 69 yrs1892 / Giddings / Ann / Colmworth / Mar / 5 / 86 yrs
54) Maurice and Queenie Wormald (headstone)
MAURICE WORMALD KCHS
31ST JULY 1916
15TH SEPTEMBER 2001
ALSO HIS BELOVED WIFE
QUEENIE
18TH JANUARY 1914
5TH JANUARY 1997
REST IN PEACE
57) Dorothy Ethel & Ralph Ashworth (headstone)
Loving memory of
Ralph Ashworth
Died May 27th 1977
Aged 62 years
Also
Dorothy Ethel (Nan)
Ashworth
Died April 15th 1989
Aged 70 years.
58) Doreen & Ronald Tomkins (headstone)
In
Loving Memory
Of
Ronald Tomkins
Died 18th Dec. 1987
Aged 53 years.
Also
In Loving memory of
Doreen Tomkins
Died 31st July 1991
Aged 55 years.
59) Herbert Charles and Elsie Emily Stewart (headstone)
In
Loving Memory
Of
A dear Husband
And Father
Herbert Charles
Stewart
Who passed away
31st Oct. 1990
Aged 81
At Rest
also elsie emily
stewart
A DEAR WIFE and mother
WHO PASSED AWAY 2nd feb. 1994
AGED 82
REUNITED
60) Douglas Albert Moss & Alma Esther Moss (headstone)
In
Loving Memory
of
DOUGLAS ALBERT MOSS
24 August 1915 – 4 August 2004
And His Wife
ALMA ESTHER MOSS
9 December 1921 – 9 January 2005
Gone But Not Forgotten
REST IN PEACE
65) Ethel and David William Parkinson (headstone)
In
Loving
Memory
Of
Ethel Parkinson
11.12.1919 – 22.5.2005
A Loving Mother, Grandmother
& Great Grandmother
Beloved Wife Of The Late
David William Parkinson
14.1.1916 – 23.10.1987
Always In Our Hearts
66) Doreen Marie Hughes (headstone)
IN
LOVING MEMORY OF
DOREEN MARIE HUGHES
1935 – 1995
FOREVER IN OUR
THOUGHTS
Entry in Colmworth Burial Registers -
Buried / Date of death1995 / Hughes / Doreen Marie (ashes) / Chez Nous, Little Staughton Rd, Colmworth / Aug / 10 / 59 yrs / Aug 1 1995
67) Albert William Thomas Woolmer (headstone)
IN LOVING MEMORY
OF
ALBERT WILLIAM
THOMAS WOOLMER
A DEAR HUSBAND, FATHER
AND GRANDFATHER
15TH MAY 1916
23RD JUNE 2005
70) John Philips (headstone)
Here lieth the body
Of John Philips
He departed this
Life December The
5 1721 In The 66th
Year of his Age
NOTES FROM Arthur Weight Matthews (1914) confirm that John died Dec 5th 1721. The Parish Registers confirm a burial of John Philips on Dec 9th 1721.
72) Ann Stewart (footstone) – in paving leading to west door –
A.S. 1898
This refers to Ann Stewart buried Sep 1898 – see headstone 401.
Colmworth Burial Registers -
1898 / Stewart / Ann / 36 Melbourne St., Bedford / Sep / 8 / 69 yrs76) Gerald John Judd (headstone)
In Loving memory
Of
Gerald John Judd
Who died Jan. 25th 1970
Aged 43 Years.
At Rest.
77) Eva Nellie Snow (headstone)
TREASURED MEMORIES
OF
A DEVOTED MUM
EVA SNOW
DIED 29TH JUNE 2004
AGED 87 YEARS
GOODNIGHT, GOD BLESS
The Colmworth Burial Registers list Eva’s full name -
Burial date / Death date2004 / Snow / Eva Nellie / 25 Lt Staughton Rd, Colmworth / Jul / 14 / 87 yrs / Jun 29 2004
82) Bernard & Edith Ellen Colgrave (headstone)
In
Loving Memory
Of
A dear Husband and Father
Bernard Colgrave,
Died 12th Dec. 1966
Aged 64 Years.
Until we meet again.
Also
A Dear Wife and mother
Edith Ellen,
Died 26th. Aug. 1983
Aged 81 years.
Reunited.
91) Timothy Richard Matthews, Ann Matthews, John and Rachel Fielding (table tomb)
Side near church – south side
Sacred to the memory of
The Rev. Timothy Richard Matthews, B.A.
For 27 years a Minister of the Gospel,
Twelve of which Curate of this Church,
Born June 26th 1795, Died September 4th. 1845,
He was an Eminent Minister of the LORD JESUS CHRIST;
By his unwearied labours, and self denying love,
A multitude of believers was “added to the Church.”
Like his DIVINE MASTER he “went about doing good.”
He sought to proclaim to “every creature” whom he
could reach “the Glorious Gospel of the Blessed GOD.”
Not only in the Chapel which his affectionate people built,
But in the open streets of Bedford, in numerous
villages of this County and in many other villages
and towns of England, he preached Salvation
to perishing sinners by “the blood of the LAMB.”
Side opposite church – north side
As a Husband and a Father
he was inexpressibly dear to his family,
by his meek and gentle virtues:
These made him “an Example to the believers,”
amongst whom he ministered.
He died from Exhaustion and Sickness brought on by
his labours.
The last Scripture from which he taught his Church,
Beautifully sets forth his past conflict and his present bliss.
“To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the Tree
of Life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of GOD.”
In Adoration of that SAVIOUR who made him what he was,
And in token of Affection to their Beloved Pastor’s memory,
His Flock have raised this tomb.
Great LORD of the Harvest, we pray Thee
send forth many such labourers into Thy Harvest!
East Side –
Herein lieth also
ANN MATTHEWS,
Daughter of
JOHN & RACHEL FIELDING
and Widow of the
REV. T.R.MATTHEWS B.A.
Born April 15th.1799.
Died at Beverley, Yorks.
November 16th. 1884.
“They shall be mine.
saith the LORD of hosts
in that day when I make
up my Jewels.”
Timothy Richard Matthews death is in the National Indexes in 1845 but he is not in the Colmworth Burial Registers. Villagers recall that Timothy R. Matthews caught Typhus, died at the age of 51 yrs and was buried in Bromham Road Chapel, Bedford. He was later exhumed and interred at Colmworth.
92) Rachel and John Fielding (headstone)
Sacred
To the memory of
Rachel, wife of
John FielDing
Who died in the Lord
October 15. 1828
Aged 61 years
Notes from Arthur Weight Matthews (1914) confirm that Rachel died in 1828 on Oct 15th .
93) John Fielding & Timothy Richard Matthews (headstone)
Sacred
To the Memory of
John Fielding
Who departed this Life
March 3, 1836,
In the 77th Year of his age
Mark the perfect man and behold the
upright for the end of that man is peace
Also near this place lieth TIMOTHY
RICHARD MATTHEWS his Grandson
who died in Infancy.
The footstone for John Fielding appears to be elsewhere in the churchyard – see 836a.
Colmworth Burial Registers –
1822 / Matthews / Timothy Richard / Colmworth / Mar / 30 / 19 days94) Sarah, John and Sarah Fielding (headstone)
Sacred
To the memory of
Sarah. daughter of
John & Sarah Fielding
Who died in the Lord
June 22. 1825,
In the 46th year of her age
[Rest unreadable]
Colmworth Burial Registers –
1825 / Fielding / Sarah / Honeydon / Jun / 25 / 45 yrsNOTES FROM Arthur Weight Matthews (1914) note that the verse said –
Join we them with one accord
In the new, the joyful song
Absent light and loving Lord
We shall not continue long
We shall quit the house of day
We a holier lot shall share
We shall see the realms of day
Meet our happy sister there.
210) Hannah Fensham, John and Elizth Fensham (headstone)
HERE LIETH YE BODY [OF]
HANNAH
THE DAUG[HTER OF]
JOHN & ELIZTH FENSH[-----]
WHO DEPARTED THIS LIFE FEBRY
1733 IN YE FIRST YEAR OF HER
AGE
The great Jehovah full of love
an angel bright did fend,
To take this Spotless little Dove
To Joyes that ne’er shall end.
Notes from Parish registers show that John and Elizabeth Fensham were having children at this time but very few baptism or burial entries in the registers exist for 1732-34.
211) Ann & Thomas Thompson (kerbed double grave)
north side - Thomas Thompson, who passed away Dec. 25th 1945. Aged 83 years.
east side - Rest in peace
south side - Also of his dear wife Ann Thompson who died Feb 6th 1955 aged 96 years.
Colmworth Burial registers list –
1945 / Thompson / Thomas / Colmworth / Dec / 28 / 841955 / Thompson / Ann / The Old Post Office, Colmworth / Feb / 8 / 96 yrs
1
St Denys Church, Colmworth, Memorial Inscriptions (Map B)
Area above the path to the east and north of the porch (Map B)
Bench in Churchyard near south wall –
In Loving Memory of Chil
Devoted Leader of Colmworth Cubs
Rex Quenby 1942 - 2000
224) William, Thomas and Fisher Goodman, and their parents William and Elizabeth Goodman (headstone)
Here Lies ye Bodies of Three Children
….[a]m & Thomas & Fifher. The
sons of William & Elizabeth
…..man William And Thomas
…. Sept ye 4th 1732 & in ye 17
.ears of there Age & Fisher
Oct ye 10 1735 & in ye 7th
…Year of his age
..are gone our times spent
…er of death to us has sent
…to a new ….. Bodyes in ye Grave
…. that we eternal life should have
The Parish Registers do not confirm these deaths as there is a gap in the burial registers. The Colmworth baptisms show that William was the son of William and Elizabeth Goodman, baptised 12th Feb 1715 and that Thomas was the son of Wm and Elizabeth Goodman bap 27th August 1725. Fisher is not listed in the baptisms.
225) broken headstone
There is very little left of this gravestone and no indication what might have been on it.
230) Rebecca Wildman (footstone by church porch)
R. W. 1932.
Colmworth burial registers -
1932 / Wildman / Rebecca / Honeydon, Eaton Socon / Feb / 6 / 86 yrsThis footstone should be with grave 926.