Mr. URBAN,

STAVE

Sheffield, Oct. 4. TAVELEY is a neat village, very pleasantly situated, about four miles midway between Chesterfield and Bolsover, co. Derby. It contains within its parish the chapelry of Barlow, the hamlets of Netherthorp and Woodthorp, with three of the name of Handley; containing altogether about 408 houses.

In Domesday Book, among the lands of Ascuit Musard, it is said, that in the manor of "Stavelie, Hacon had four carucates of land to be taxed; land to four ploughs. Ascuit has now there, in the demesne, three ploughs, and twenty-one villanes; and seven bordars have four ploughs. There is a Priest and a Church; and one mill of five shillings and four pence. There are sixty acres of meadow; wood pasture one mile and a half long, and as much broad. Value in King Edward's time, and now, six pounds *"

In the reign of Edward I. the manor of Staveley belonged to John Musard; issue male failing in his successor, N. Musard, the eldest sister of the latter conveyed it by marriage to T. Freschville, a branch of that family who were Barons of Crich in the reign of Henry III. and came over with the Conqueror, from a place of that name in Normandy.

Staveley Hall was built by Sir Peter Freschville, who died, according to his monument, in 1634. His son, John Freschville, during the troubles of Charles I. garrisoned his house at Staveley for the King. John Vic kars, in his Parliamentary Chronicle, page 337, says, "Immediately after

* Orig. Dom. Boc. 277. b. 2.-Bawdwen's Trans. p. 322.

A name which implies, according to Camden, doubters or delayers.

GENT. MAG. Suppl. XC, PART II.

A

this (the surrender of Bolsover Castle), they all marched to Staley House, which was strongly fortified; but upon our armies advance to it, it was soon surrendered, upon articles of agreement; and in it we had twelve pieces of ordnance, two hundred and thirty muskets, and a hundred and fifty pikes: and Mr. John Fretchwell (who had long held the house fortified with strong works for the service of the King), being then convinced of the goodness of our cause, did very freely and voluntarily render to the Major-general all the arms aforesaid, with much other ammunition." Thus the Historian, John Freschville, Esq. however, who was also a Governor of York, during the civil wars, for his attachment to Charles I. was advanced by Charles II. to the dignity of a Baron of the realm, by the title of Lord Freschville, of Staveley. He dying in 1682, the manor of Staveley passed (by marriage, I believe) into the Cavendish family, who having other seats, resolved, about seventy years ago, to pull down the Hall; but its total dilapidation was prevented, and the present mansion, a wing of a large quadrangle, suffered to remain, at the instance of the Rev. James Gisborne, then Rector of Staveley; who thus unconsciously preserved a residence for two of his daughters, who were afterwards married, one to Mr. Foxlow, the other to the Rev. F. Dixon, LL.D. all deceased; it is at present the residence of the Rev. F. Foxlow, son of the preceding.

The Church, (see the Plate,) which is built in form of a parallelogram, contains an ichnographical site of about 45 yards by 12. It consists of a nave, chancel, and one side-aile. The tower, which appears to have been built in 1681, contains eight ex

ceedingly

ceedingly musical bells; the tenor weighing 18 cwt. 3 qrs. 22 lbs. was given by the present Rector; and the peal were opened when the present Duke of Devonshire attained the age of twenty-one. His Grace is patron of the Church, which is dedicated to St. John the Baptist; the body has lately been newly paved, a gallery built, and the whole interior beautified, containing at present as neat and comfortable accommodation for public worship as any village church in the kingdom.

The following Monuments and Inscriptions are to be seen.

In a niche

in the North wall of the chancel, on a brass, with two large figures and 7 boys, and as many girls, in a praying attitude, are these words:

"Bancta Maria, ora pro nobis;
mater Dei, memento mei.”

The Inscription: "Here under fate lieth the bodys of Peprs flrepchwell, and Maude his wpf, and sume time squier unto the noble and excellent prince King Henry the vj. and Lord and Patron of this chirche, which Peprs deceasyd the xxv day of Marche, the pere of our lord, M.D.DT. on whose souls Th'u, have mercy. Amen."

On a large decaying marble tomb, close by the above, containing the arms of Freschville, with various quarterings, and a brass plate on the top, representing an armed warrior, standing with his hands clasped in a praying posture, with the words, "*** Trinitas un' deus miserere nobis. Deus mittere esto ** peccatum."

On a brass border there only remained the following:

"*** Amabus Petri Frechwell, d'ni. *** Derb. Armig'i qui obiit [a space never filled] die mensi [ditto] anno Domini Mill'mo CCCC. [ditto] et Matilde uxoris ejus. Quorum animabus propicie

tur Deus. Amen."

On a massy marble monument the following:

"Here lieth the mortal parte of the Right Honourable John Lord ffrescheville, Baron of Staveley, Governor of York, and descended from the antient and noble ffamilies of the ffreschevilles, Barons of Crich, and of the Musards, Barons of Staveley, who departed this life, Mar. 31, anno D'ni 1682, aged 76 years. Anne Charlotte, Lady ffrescheville, in memory of her deerest lord and husband, caused this monument to be erected."

On a gilded board there is a memorial of a former wife of this John, who was a daughter of Francis Nicolls, Esq. of Ampthill, co. Bedford. She died 10 April, 1629, aged only 18 years. There are various other memorials of the Freschvilles.

A beautiful altar-tomb, with a recumbent figure of a lady and infant, is thus inscribed:

"Here lyes the mortal part of Christian Lady St. John, late wife of Charles Lord St. John, Baron of Bazinge, and daughter of John Freschville, Esq. who in memory of his dearest childe, caused these stones to be laid together. She died in childbed, the 22d of July, 1653. Her infant, John Pawlet, surviving his mother seven dayes, lyes here interred with her."

A marble slab on the North wall records the death, virtues, and marriages, of his wives, and his own death; of the Rev. James Gisborne, M. A. Prebendary of Durham, and 43 years Rector of this Church; he died Sept. 7, 1759, aged 70.

On a mural tablet over the Communion Table:

"Within these rails is interred the body of James Gisborne, the oldest surviving son of the late Rev. James Gisborne, a member of the Irish House of Commons, Lieutenant-general and Governor of Charlmont in Ireland. He married Mary Anne Boyd, daughter and co-heiress of Charles Boyd, Esq. of the kingdom of Ireland. He left issue one son and three daughters, &c. &c."

Adjacent there is a marble tablet to the "memory of Catharine, wife of the Rev. Fletcher Dixon, of Staveley Hall, and Vicar of Duffield, in this County." She was daughter of the above James Gisborne. The Rev. F. Dixon, LL.D. died at Staveley Hall, Jan. 5, 1819, aged 75. He was a man beloved and esteemed by all who knew him; and his death has left a blank in the charitable distributions of this village, which its inhabitants will long regret. The writer, who was indebted to him for personal favours, could not forego the oppor tunity, when he last visited Staveley Church, of inscribing with his pencil on the tablet, the following lines: "No need of verse, nor monumental pride, Reader! to tell thee Dixon liv'd and died. Living, his bounty did to all extend;Dying, all mourn'd him as a common

friend.

Would'st thou thy memory as the just should shine, [thine." Go, bless the village! and his praise be

In the church-yard are the following epitaphs, among many others: On a young woman who died on the eve of Marriage:

"She was courteous with sincerity, humble without meanness, and fully possest of those virtues which speak the true Christian; she died sincerely lamented. Rest, dearest Shade! secure from grief and

care,

Afflictive pains and every hurtful snare; Till that dread morn when God reveal'd

shall come,

[doom; And trembling Nature meet her final Then may the youth who dedicates this stone, [gone, Who lov'd thee living, and laments thee Triumphant meet thee in the realms above,

And sing the wonders of redeeming love."

Another head-stone commemorates the name and death of Robert Sampson, the not altogether "mute inglorious Milton," and Laureate of the village; and although, Mr. Urban, his fame may not have reached any of your Readers, I can assure them and you, that he really was "famous once for verse," as various churchyards can testify, where his works may probably outlive those of many who have figured more splendidly in wire-wove paper, and gilt and let tered binding. He was a wandering dealer in earthenware by his trade, well known; and woe to the reputation of the luckless wight who happened to provoke the lampooning propensity of our poet. Some bitter tetrastic was sure to haunt him from

the mouths of the rustics wherever

he went. I apologize for this trifling. His epitaph is as follows:

"Here lies a Poet famous once for verse, Now awful silence bids no more rehearse; Here let his relicks undisturb'd remain

In peaceful dust, till they're restor❜d again.

Mortal! behold an emblem of thy fate; Place thy affections on a future state; Revolving Time will leave thee breathless soon, [ere noon." Night takes us home, if not call'd hence On a blue slate at the East end of the Church, is the following Inscription:

"To the memory of Mr. Richard Robinson, son of the Rev. James Robinson of Knuttsford in Cheshire, and Schoolmaster at Netherthorpe, in this parish. Endowed with uncommon abilities, he exerted them for fifty years in the duties of his School, with a diligence and assiduity still more to be admired; and although in an humble station, might be

regarded as a very bright example of primeval integrity of life. He gave by his last will eighteen pounds a year to the Hospital at Woodthorp; besides other very considerable legacies; and died a bachelor, May 21, 1777, in the 70th year of his age."

The present Rector is the Rev. Francis Gisborne, M. A. son of the before-mentioned J. Gisborne, late Rector of Staveley; and is, I believe, cousin to the excellent and valuable

author, T. Gisborne, of Yoxall Lodge, co. Stafford. His brother was the late Dr. Gisborne, of Romely Hall, in this county, and Physician to his Majesty. This venerable village Clergyman is truly remarkable for his age, his eccentricities, and his charity; although in his 88th year, he continues to fulfil all the functions of a village Rector, christening, marrying, and burying, all his parishioners; in the latter office, he never fails, be the weather ever so unfavourable, to meet the corpse at the church-gates, and proceed before it to the church; and at the grave always refusing any temporary shelter, be the season ever so inclement. To mention the eccentricity of this Reverend Divine, may seem impertinent. It may be truly said, that

1

"E'en his failings lean to virtue's side." Of his charities numbers can testify, not only in the remission of his fees to the poor, and the demand of merely nominal tythes; but in various other cases, in which he dispenses his bounty. He was born at Staveley, and received the rudiments of his

education at Netherthorp School, under the before-mentioned R. Robinson, who left Mr. Gisborne the bulk of his fortune; from hence he went to Peler-house, Cambridge *, when the collegians, by their mimicry of Gray's effeminate manner, had driven him from his college. The Bard readily gave up his rooms to Mr. Gisbornet, who was always a grave man, and even then stood aloof from this indiscretion of his companions.

Few villages have been more fortunate in the charitable dispositions of its opulent inhabitants than Stave

He is the person, I believe, who gave the munificent donation of 22,000l. as mentioned in a late Number of your Magazine, to St. Peter's College.

For a character of this worthy Divine, see our Poetical Department. ley,

ley, doles, alms, and eleemosynary gifts, being constant and frequent. There are several tables of benefactions in the Church, which are a constant memorial and incentive to the families of the benefactors to emulate the charity of their predecessors.

There is a brass plate in the body of the Church, of which the following is a copy:

"Memorie Sacrum. anno Dom. 1677. Whereas the right worshipful Sir Peter Freschville, Knt. and others of the parish of Staveley, in the county of Derby, did by their Deed indented, dated anno 1610, out of their charitable disposic❜ons give the sum of forty pounds, the use whereof to be employed for the putting forth of poor children of the poor inhabitants of the said parish to be bound apprentices to honest trades and occupac'ons: Therefore, we whose names are inscribed, out of the like charitable inclination, have given the several sums here under written, as well for an addition to the forementioned pious purpose of binding apprentices to good trades, as for a yearly distribution of monies to be dealt amongst the poor inhabitants of the said parish, &c."

Then follows the names of 64 donors, of various sums, to be applied as the preamble sets forth.

There is an Hospital at Woodthorp for four poor aged men and the same number of poor women, and a reader, which was built by Sir Peter Freschville, and endowed by his last will; each of the said nine persons to receive 47. per annum, at quarterly pay. ments, chargeable on lands in Netherthorp and Woodthorp. In 1777, Richard Robinson, Schoolmaster, gave 187. a year to this foundation, which, with other additions, produces 81. per annum for each person.

There is a free Grammar-school at Netherthorp, which has been endowed at several times. In 1572, Margaret Freschville gave Sl. per annum; in 1599, Francis Sitwell of Netherthorp, Gent. gave 67. per annum; in 1742, Lord James Cavendish gave 67. per annum these sums, with augmenta tions, produce a competent salary for a classical master. The abilities of the before-mentioned Mr. Robinson drew him many pupils, for whose benefit he exerted himself with unremitting zeal, and realized a consider able fortune. There is, I believe, at present, one scholar on the foundation!

Historical and Topographical Account of NORTH-MARSTON, BUCKS. (Concluded from page 492.)

St. Mary, stands on a gentle emiHE CHURCH, which is dedicated to nence at the North-eastern extremity of the village, and consists of a nave and side ailes, with a square tower at the West end, about sixty feet in height; and at the East end a Chancel, handsomely built in the Gothic stile, with arched windows, having stone mullions and tracery. The length of the whole edifice is 95 feet within the walls; the belfry, at the West end, measuring 17 feet, the Nave 38, and the Chancel about 40: the width of the Nave and Ailes being 42 feet, and of the Chancel 22ž.

It is said, that the Chancel was built out of the offerings at the shrine of Sir John Schorne; which, according to the account preserved in the History of Windsor, and cited by Mr. Lysons, in “Magna Britannia,” vol. I. p. 603, amounted to no less an average sum than five hundred pounds per unn. (equal, as the last-named writer observes, to 5000l. according to the present value of money); and, therefore, affords some degree of probability in support of such a tradition. It may with greater certainty be affirmed, that this part of the building bears a near resemblance to the architecture of the tower of St. Mary Magdalen College*, and other works of the same period, and affords a beautiful specimen of the improved Gothic. Of the shrine above alluded to, Browne Willis mentions that it was so famous, that direction-posts had been standing in the life-time of his informants, which pointed out the roads leading to itt.

The principal entrance to the * Engraved in vol. LXXXVII. ì. p. 9. + Collections in the Bodleian Library,

Church,

Church, is by a porch on the South side, which projects about ten feet; the door-way being a Gothic arch. There is also a door at the West end, another on the North side, and a third on the South side of the Chancel. The windows of the Church are squareheaded, with mullions, excepting one at the East end of the South aile, which has a Gothic arch with tracery, the weather-ledge terminating with a carved head on one side, the other hidden by the projection of one of the buttresses of the Chancel. The whole roof is covered with lead, and the parapet is surmounted with coped battlements, to which are affixed small pinnacles, three on each side of the Church, to correspond with the richly figured decorations of the buttresses of the Chancel. Of the latter there are ten, besides a pinnacle on the centre of the East end, beneath which is a beautiful canopied niche, containing a pedestal, supported by an angel, with wings expanded, immediately over the great East window, which is elegantly storied, although but few vestiges remain of the coloured glass with which all the Chancel windows at least, were once adorned. The effect of the elegant architecture of the Chancel, when viewed from the Northeast, is considerably heightened by two octagonal pillars, ranged with the pinnacles, and a delicately formed and embattled turret, on the North side, above the roof of a small vestry-room, which with an apartment over it, are attached to the Chancel.

A richly-ornamented frieze is car ried round the Chancel, charged with heads of monstrous animals and grotesque figures of men, with asses ears: the latter in various dresses, some ecclesiastical and evidently designed as caricature resemblances of monks. There are twelve on the South side, six at the East end, and nineteen on the North side, the latter being chiefly the heads of quadrupeds.

In the interior, the ceiling of the Church is of wainscot, divided into compartments, the beams resting on brackets adorned with figures of angels holding musical instruments. The walls have painted on them numerous texts of scripture; as also the front of a gallery at the West end. Over the South door are the words “ Remember the poor." The Decalogue, the Creed, and the Lord's

Prayer, are also painted on the wall, and the Royal arms above an open screen, once painted and gilt, which separates the Nave from the Chancel. At the East end of the South Aile, on each side of the window, is a lofty niche; and under a pointed arch close to it, in the East wall, is a piscina, or holy water pot, in good preservation. Near the window, on the wall below, on the North side, are two cavities, probably designed to hold the furniture or decorations belonging to an altar which once stood here. But whether this were the shrine of the Saint before mentioned, may be disputed. The Font stands on a square basement, raised above the floor, in the North-west corner of the Church; and is supported by a pedestal, to which are attached four large shields borne by angels, which being formed of very soft stone, are worn or rubbed almost plain. The Font itself is octagonal, each face or compartment being ornamented with carving :—one of them contains a rose, others four vine-leaves with their tendrils intertwining in the centre; another a rose and fasces, a shield with three chalices or cups, and another, two ragged or knotted staves sallirewise.

There are two arches on each side, between the Nave and Ailes, snpported by four pillars: those on the North side, each composed of four circular columns clustered together. And of those on the South side, one of them octagon, with each of its sides concave or grooved; and the other fancifully cut, so that the several angles of an octagon are made to resemble the o. g.

The door which formerly led to the roof-loft still remains behind the pulpit. The covering of the latter is of blue cloth, with I. H. S. and the date 1706 embroidered in silver.

In the floor of the North Aile, near the font, and partly covered by a pew, is a large blue slab, in which are the marks where brasses have been formerly inserted, either of coats of arms or small figures: and a fillet of brass still retains the following inscription:

"Hic jacet Joh'es Virgine olim Ballivus istius ville, qui obiit ..... d'mn. mill. CCC gessim

nono.

..........

......... an.