Chelsea, in the Olden & Present TimesBryan, George
History
Chelsea, in the Olden & Present Times
Bryan, George
Chelsea (London, England) -- History
Having noticed the chancel and nave, we will proceed to that part which
is called the LAWRENCE CHAPEL, at the north side. This chapel is
considered by many to be coeval with the first endowment of the church.
It was built by the then Lord of the Manor, whose mansion stood near it,
the site of which is now occupied by Lawrence Street, so called after the
Lawrence family. The old manor house was pulled down by Henry VIII., who
built another in Cheyne Walk, to which allusion will have to be
frequently made. The Lawrence chapel was many years ago in the
possession of Mr. Offley, who bequeathed it to Colonel Needham, of whom
it was bought in the year 1789, with part of the east side of Lawrence
Street, to which it is an appendage, by Mr. Lewer. It is still private
property.
* * * * *
THOMAS LAWRENCE, Esq.—Against the north wall of this chapel is the
monument of the father of Sir John Lawrence, on which are represented
himself, his three sons, Elizabeth his wife, and six daughters, all
kneeling. On the cushion on which Mrs. Lawrence kneels are two babes,
wrapped up close to the chin, with their faces only visible. The cornice
is supported by three fluted Corinthian columns. Underneath are the
following lines:—
“The yeares wherein I lived were fifty-fower,
October twenty-eight did end my life;
Children five of eleven God left in store,
Sole comfort of they’re mother and my wife.
The world can say what I have been before,
What I am now examples still are rife;
Thus Thomas Lawrence spekes to tymes ensving
That Death is sure, and Tyme is past reneving.”
SIR JOHN LAWRENCE, Bart.—On a large ornamented tablet of black marble,
against the east wall, is an inscription to the memory of Sir John
Lawrence, Bart., who died in 1638, aged 50. Attached to it are these
quaint lines:—
“When bad men dye and turn to their last sleep,
What stir the poets and engravers keep,
By a feigned skill to pile them up a name,
With terms of Good, and Just, out-lasting fame:
Alas! poor men, such most have need of stone
And epitaphs; the good, indeed, lack none,
Their own true works enough do give of glory
Unto their names, which will survive all story:
Such was the man lies here, who doth partake
Of verse and stone—but ’tis for fashions sake.”
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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