158 Hungerford. 



been handed down to us of the old church are exceedingly meagre. 

 They represent that it was about 600 years old, and consequently 

 an object of general interest ; that it contained three galleries 

 curiously carved in oak, called respectively, the Gentlemens', the 

 New Town, and the Soldiers' Gallery ; that the chancel was of 

 large size, and that a peal of five bells hung in the tower. In the 

 beginning of this century it became necessary to repair the tower, 

 during the course of which, while the workmen were absent, the 

 body of the church fell in, and the erection of an entirely new 

 edifice was indispensable. The present building, dedicated to S. 

 Lawrence, was designed by Mr. Pinch ; and in the words of the 

 Gentleman's Magazine, was opened 30th August, 1816, " with a 

 grand selection of sacred musick." Its style is identical with that 

 of a church situated at the foot of Bathwick Hill, Bath, built by 

 the same architect. 



The church-yard is not rich in monuments of interest ; one or 

 two may be quoted. On the south side a stone supposed to com- 

 memorate the death of the author of the Letters of Junius, bears 

 the following inscription : — 



" Here are deposited the remains of Wm. Greatrakes, Esq., Native of Ireland, 

 who on his way from Bristol to London died in this town, in the 52nd year of 

 his age, on the 2nd day of Aug. 17S1. Stat nominis umbra." 



Adjoining is a table-tomb ; on one side of which is written 



" Here also lieth the body of Jas. "Williamson, wife of Lt. -General Geo. 

 Williamson, of Woolwich, Kent; who departed this life the 10th of July, 1775. 

 Aged 58. She was the only the surviving child of Roger Pedley, Esq., and 

 Isabella Muir, who was lineally descended from Eobt. 2nd, King of Scotland." 



The soldiers' gallery in the old church has been incidentally 

 mentioned. This was set apart for the use of a corps of Infantry 

 600 strong, who for a few years were located in this parish at a 

 spot which still passes by the name of " the Barracks." Their 

 pugnacity was of such an uncontrollable nature, that even when 

 cultivating the arts of peace, they enlivened themselves and the 

 people of Hungerford by frequent outbursts of violence, which so 

 wrought upon the better feelings of the townsmen, that the inn- 

 keepers, about the year 1820, petitioned Government for their 

 removal. Their request was granted : and at the present time, a 



