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."