Il6 HILTON CHURCH. 



ConnvaUr As to No. 2, 1 am inclined to think this is a s}-mbolic 

 coat, with the tau and a nail with the sacred heart super-imposed. 



In the east wall of the north aisle a coat of arms is inserted 

 (owner unidentified). In the vestry there is an oak chest (with 

 three locks) with the inscription — " jM. H. Anno Domini 1638 " 

 — the initials of Martin He wet, vicar, who died or resigned in 

 1639. There are also two old oak coffin stools. 



Externally the Church has several features worthy of note. 

 Besides the " Dole Table " already mentioned there is a sun-dial 

 with the date 1690 at the south-east corner of the south aisle. 

 In the angle between the exterior of the tower and the south 

 aisle is a curious broken piece of masonry, which is difficult to 

 account for. On the north aisle are some remarkable gargoyles, 

 one representing a man blowing the bagpipes, of which I am 

 told there is only one other instance in England, I believe, at 

 Hereford Cathedral. The central gargoyle on the east side 

 of the tower represents the devil flying out of a child after 

 baptism. 



There was formerly much stained glass in the Church \\-hich 

 was "destroyed by some idle persons about 1730." A very 

 beautiful east window has recently been placed in the Church 

 through the generosity of two of the parishioners. 



The list of vicars dates back to Hugh or Walter de Pankeston, 

 March 6th, 1 3 1 3, and the Living has always been in the gift of the 

 Bishop of Salisbury. The registers commence in 1 604, and there 

 are two interesting entries about the time of the Commonwealth. 

 One " Will Snoke " was the intruder, and he seems to have had 

 trouble with the parishioners, for we find during 1649 the 

 following note : — 



»' At MY FIEST COMING TO THIS PLACK. 



About this time ther wer som maried, that livid in the parish, others buried, 

 and especially more that had their children Baptised, partly out of contempt, or 

 by reason of ignorance or willfulness against me Refusing to be Examined of the 

 poorer sort. Wliereof som ar living others are dead, the which they should live 

 they would be made uncapable of any earthly inheritance this I note for 

 satisfaction of any that do. Will Snoke. And so I left it in the dark's liberty." 



