276 A TOPOGRAPHICAL 



ing, consisting of a nave, north aisle, and square tower at the west 

 end of the nave, in which are five bells. It may hold from two to 

 three hundred persons. At the east end of the north aisle is a 

 tomb to the memory of Sir Thomas Skrymsher, Knt. who died 

 July 13th, 1633 ; and within the rails of the altar is an inscription 

 on a stone slab, to the memory of Richard Skrymsher, the son of 

 John, and grandson of Sir Thomas S. who is represented as hav- 

 ing been the chief instrument in preserving King Charles at Bos- 

 cobel, inasmuch as he procured an asylum for James Earl of 

 Derby, and the Earl procured one for the king in the house of 

 ' . Penderell. 



At the west end of the nave, near the font, is a painting of the 

 Royal Arms, inscribed at the bottom : 



" The Gift of JOHN BETTENSON, saddler, of London, 1723," 

 which person, no doubt, was of the same family as that once settled 

 at Sutton, and before noticed. The windows of this Church for- 

 merly were of painted glass, and full of arms, and images of saints ; 

 During the Usurpation two Oliverian officers on a Sunday evening 

 after divine service, came and destroyed them. This they termed 

 reforming the Church. One coat of arms, being small, escaped 

 their infatuated zeal, and remained in one of the chancel windows. 

 It contained the arms of two families, Botetourt and Somery. 

 " Thomas Botetourt, one of the ancient lords of this manor (by mar- 

 riage with Joan, sister and co-heir of John Somery, 16 Edw. II.) 

 was a benefactor to the parish-church ofForton; for the roof being 

 then old and ruinous, or (if tradition may be depended upon) beat 

 down by the fall of a very lofty spire, he covered it anew, and or- 

 namented the interior." The Church had a second reparation 

 about the year 1723, and is dedicated to All Saints. 



As a church and church-yard are places for solemn contempla- 

 tion, not merely in respect of the deeds of the rich and great, but 

 of every rank and station in life, it is presumed that the serious and 

 devout mind will not be averse to notice traits of character, and 

 remarkable occurrences amongst those, whose lot has been to move 

 in the middle and lowly ranks of society. Grandeur must be ad- 

 monished not to 



" bear with a disdainful smile 

 The short and simple annals of the poor 5" 



and every one should bear in mind, when he walks among the dead, 



that in many a 



" neglected spot is laid 

 Some heart once pregnant with celestial fire." 



