St.
James's Church, Cheltenham
Monumental Inscriptions
St. James's Church is located in the centre of Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, England.
The first volume of Gloucestershire Notes and Queries was published in 1881, edited by Rev. Beaver H. Blacker, M.A. The notes below are taken from this volume, and the spelling and grammar are as the original. The surnames have been put in capitals to aid identification.
This list covers only memorial inscriptions within the Church, and was compiled in 1876. Additions are most welcome
| Nathaniel Thomas Haynes BAYLY, Esqr | April 22, 1839 |
| Revd. George BONNER, LL.B., Incumbent | June 25, 1840 |
| Major -Gen. William BRETT, H.E.I.C.S. | June 16, 1858 |
| Isabella Bain CHISHOLM | July 4, 1853 |
| Caroline Matilda DWARRIS | April 12, 1867 |
| Sarah DWARRIS | Nov. 24, 1846 |
| William DWARRIS Esqr., Jamaica | Oct. 4, 1813 |
| John ELDRIDGE, Esqr. | May 24, 1860 |
| Major Richard Rogers ELLIS | Feb. 3, 1859 |
| Charles FOWLER, Esqr., F.R.C.S. | May 4, 1858 |
| Major Bentinck Duncan GILBY | July 23, 1855 |
| Mary Ann HENSON | June 17, 1850 |
| John HEWSON, Churchwarden | Oct. 18, 1836 |
| Caroline HOLT | Sept. 10, 1857 |
| Edward and Julia IMPEY | [Window erected, 1870] |
| Elijah Prattle IMPEY, H.E.I.C.S. | March 20, 1837 |
| William INGLEDEW, Esqr. | Dec. 31, 1849 |
| Elizabeth Mary Anne NICOL | April 28, 1865 |
| Mary Ann NORRIS | May 7, 1856 |
| Robert NORRIS, Esqr. | Feb. 17, 1863 |
| Revd. Edward Pryce OWEN, M.A. | July 15, 1863 |
| Mary OWEN | Aug. 25, 1866 |
| Bridget PARKE | Oct. 23, 1860 |
| Revd. Stephen POPE, M.A. | Oct. 24, 1833 |
| Honora Tucker WEBSTER | Oct. 25, 1852 |
| James WEBSTER, Esqr. | Oct. 30, 1852 |
| Harriet Frances YOUNG | Sept. 9, 1856 |
There have not been any interments at St. James's Church
Notes.
Thomas Haynes BAYLY Esq. The name of Mr. Bayly, "the founder of a new style of English ballads, and whose poetical productions will endure as long as a taste exists for English poetry," is closely connected with the history of Cheltenham, where he lived and died. His remains were laid in St. Mary's Cemetery, in that town, and for a long time there was only a foot-stone to mark his grave; but Mrs. Morgan, an ardent admirer of the poet's productions, and the lady to whom he had dedicated his poem, "Twas in a happy summer hour," then residing at Norwood, visited Cheltenham, and at her own expense erected the present head-stone which bears this simple inscription :-
"Here lie the mortal remains of Thomas Haynes Bayly, Esquire, who died in this town on the 22nd of April, 1839"
On the stone there is a stone from a drawing by Mrs. Morgan; as a work of art it is nothing; but the idea is significant. It represents a butterfly escaping from its chrysalis, and refers to Bayly's well known ballad, "I'd be a butterfly."
In St. James's Church, Cheltenham, there is a tablet with the following inscription by Theodore Hook ;-
"Sacred to the memory of Nathaniel Thomas Haynes Bayly Esq., who died in this town the 22nd of April, 1839, aged 43 years. He was a kind parent and affectionate husband, a popular author, and an accomplished gentleman. To commemorate the good qualities which she duly appreciated, this tablet has been erected by his disconsolate mother."
A memoir of the poet has been published.
Major Bentinck Duncan GILBY.
In St. James's Church, Cheltenham, there is a monument with this inscription :-
"Sacred to the memory of Major Bentinck Duncan Gilby, 77th Regiment, eldest son
of the Revd. F. Duncan Gilby, A.M., Incumbent of this Church. At the early age
of 23 years this young officer was gazetted as Bt. Major for distinguished
services in the trenches at the memorable siege of Sebastopol. Having received
the Crimean medal with clasps for the famous battles of Alma and Balaklava,
Major Gilby's brilliant, but short, career was terminated from the exhausting
effects of wounds received in the trenches, July 23rd, 1855, aetat. 23. Dulce et
decorum est pro patria mori. The members of the congregation of this church have
erected this monument as a testimonial of affection and respect for their
pastor, the Revd. F. Duncan Gilby, A.M., who, by faithfully and zealously
preaching the Gospel of Christ, humbly leads on to the fulfilment of that
promised time, when wars shall cease, and sin and death shall be no more."