By the Rev. F. H. Manley. 



321 



The Bells. 



The belfry contains four bells. The ancient tenor bell had upon 

 it the following inscription : — " K P. 1663. Theodore Chelton. 

 John Bond. Churchwardens." About live' years ago it was found 

 to be cracked. In consequence, as a Diamond Jubilee Memorial, 

 it was re-cast in 1897, and the inscription : — " Diamond Jubilee 

 Memorial " with names of Eector and churchwardens placed upon 

 it. The second bell has upon it : — " Peace and good neighbourhood 

 1731." The third has upon it the date 1634, also thirty-five letters 

 which do not form a readable sentence. The fourth has no date 

 upon it, but the inscription in early English letters reads as follows : 

 — : ei • r + t : ianc ■ te j mi '■ ba \ 



The Churchyakd and Ancient Mound. 



The churchyard was originally of quite small dimensions. In 

 1865, through a gift from the Birtill family, it was considerably 

 enlarged, and about five years ago they sold to the churchwardens 

 a small adjoining piece of land, so that it now extends to the river. 

 The principal entrance still has a pair of very handsome stone 

 piers, surmounted by urns of Queen Anne's time. There are no 

 tombstones left with legible inscriptions of earlier date than about 

 1710. Just outside the wall of the churchyard near the tower is 

 a mound now covered with trees. It is on the premises of the old 

 Jason Manor House in a small field called " The Mount," about 

 half-way between that building and the river. The purpose with 

 which it was formed is not clear. Britton states that it was opened 

 in 1810 and traces of buildings, showing signs of having been 

 destroyed by fire, were unearthed. In the large Ordnance Map it 

 is marked " Site of Castle." On enquiring what authority there 

 was for this statement I was informed that Mr. Anketell, formerly 

 Vicar of Seagry, had told the surveyor " The old castie was erected 

 in the reign of Edward I. by Sir John Maltravers." 1 I have not 

 been able to find any confirmation of this statement. The site is 

 so confined that any castle there must have been small, and yet 

 perhaps quite large enough to command the ford. 



1 Mr. Anketell added " on being excavated by the Arch. Soc. in 1813, 

 window frames were found." This is plainly inaccurate. 



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