CH12. Large oval tablet with Corinthian pillars either side, and a pediment having a coat of arms above
Sacred to the Memory of the Honble. Colonel / FRANCIS ALEXANDER / Whose excellent Endowments will never suffer him / to die with those who had the happiness to know him / He was a Person possessed of all those good quality’s / Which create and continue Love and esteem / Of great Probity & simplicity of manners / Polite in his Address and Behaviour / Gracefull in his Person / Chearfull inoffensive and Prudent in his conversation / A good judge, and a great example of Decency / A faithfull steddy, usefull Friend / an affectionate Husband / a kind Master / Hospitable, Bounteous, Generous to all / Without injustice to any / Of great Fortitude in all it’s branches / Brave without Noise or Brutality / Patient without meanness or Dejection / Resigned in every circumstance of life / To the will of God according to the Gospell / of Christ Jesus / In whome a lone he trusted for salvation / Under whose Banner he was lifted at his Baptism / And whose cause he was neither asham’d / Nor affraid to one in an age / of great Scepticism Profaness / and Infidelity / He was born March the 24th 1677, was Married / July the 7th 1713 to CATHERINE NEWTON Daughter of / Sir HENRY NEWTON Kt. and died the 24th of Feb. 1722.
This is a monument of Colonel Francis Alexander and what makes it special is that we have a framed photograph of his portrait hanging underneath so we know exactly what he looked like.
Francis was born in 1677 and was a Colonel in the army (38th Foot and South Staffordshire Regiment). He lived at a house called Belmont (which stood near Uxbridge Common) and he married Catherine Newton in 1713. He died aged 45 years old in 1722. His widow Catherine subsequently married Lord Aubrey Beauclerk, a naval officer, who was killed in action in 1741. Lady Catherine wished to be buried with her first husband, but as more than 30 years had elapsed, this was not possible, so she is buried outside by the North Aisle so that she was as close as possible to him.
The classically designed monument with its Corinthian pillars, includes a very wordy eulogy. A few of my favourite phrases are: …he was polite in his address and behaviour…gracefull in his person… chearfull, inoffensive and prudent in his conversation….a faithfull, steddy, usefull friend… an affectionate husband… a kind master… brave without noise or brutality… resigned in every circumstance of life to the will of God according to the Gospel of Christ Jesus in whom alone he trusted for salvation.
Sounds like a nice chap doesn’t he? By the way, in case you think I’ve forgotten to do a spell check, I have typed up the words exactly as they are spelt on the monument.
Christine Bartlett