Monuments in Etchithampton Church. 187 



" H. S. E. 



HoNOKiA Lectissima Conjux Henb. Eyee, Geni. 



Unica Filia Hseresque Superstes Robert! 



Baily Geni. ex Maria Uxore Suscepta, 



Charissima Mater Johannis Eyre Filii et 



Filiaj Susanna) quam vii enixa est 



(P)uerpera quin morbido languore concepta 



unde 10 die post editum partum 



pie plaeideque obdormivit 



ultimo mensis Januarii 



Anno ^tatis suae 31°. 



Dominique 



1685. 



Hoc memoria sacrum 



Maestissimus posuit. 



H. E." 



Above the inscription is a shield with the arms of Eyre, over 

 which is an escutcheon of pretence with arms nearly obliterated, 

 but no doubt those of Bayley. The whole is surmounted by the 

 crest of Eyre. 



On the exterior of the Nave, attached to the north wall, is a 

 monument to the memory of some of the Dorchester family,^ the 

 inscription on which shews that the Dorchesters of Etchilhampton 

 were connected by marriage with the Easterton branch of the 

 Merewether family. 



"William Dorchester of Etchilhampton, Gent, died 1720, aged 47. Mary 

 his daughter died 1720. William his son died 1721. Elizabeth his wife died 

 1722, aged 41." 



" Mrs. Sarah Merewether, wife of Francis Merewether of Easterton, Gent., 

 and eldest daughter of William and Elizabeth Dorchester, died 1766, aged 55. 

 Also her husband Francis Merewether, Sen., Gent., died 1781, aged 67. Sarah, 

 daughter of Francis and Sarah Merewether, died 1793, aged 42." 



Communion Plate. 

 The Communion plate consists of a small silver chalice and 

 paten, on which are the following arms : — Argent, three spurs sable, 

 a chief gules ; impaling, cheeky or and azure a chevron ermine ; — 

 the coat of Guy, Earl of Warwick. Above is an Esquire's helmet, 

 — and a Crest, — Out of a ducal coronet a wolf's head. 



* The following extracts from the Parish Register of St. John, Devizes, relate 

 to this family. — "Maebied. 1655, Feb. 12. William Dorchester of Edgill- 

 hampton and Bridget Steevens of Calstone. — 1658. John Dorchester and Ann 

 Farrant, both of Ichelhampton, y« 8th day of March." 



