Colwick Hall.
COLWICK.—Colwick was anciently divided into two hamlets or villages, Over Colwick where the Hall and church now stand, and Nether Colwick what is now the village of Colwick. In the reign of Henry II Over Colwick belonged to William de Colwick, of whom we only know that he was fined a mark in 1166 for selling a horse to the King's enemies. Over Colwick was part of Peverils fee and was held temp. Henry III by Reginald de Colwick, who lived a hundred years, in chief by the service of twelve barbed arrows when the King came to Nottingham Castle. His descendant Joan de Colwyck carried this property in marriage to Sir Richard Byron who died. Nether or East Colwick belonged to the family de Nowers or de Nodariis and it afterwards passed to the family of Slory. Robert Slory, "a man of great possessions", left two daughters, to one of whom, Mrs. Wood, was allotted Colwick, and it was sold by the Wood family to Sir James Stonehouse, "being of very great yearly value, but [Wood] never got much above half the money by reason of the breaking out of the war". Sir James Stonehouse had also acquired Nether Colwick from the Byron family, and disposed of both Colwicks in 1648 to Sir John Musters, whose title after the Restoration was confirmed by Lord Byron. From that time until its sale to Sir Horatio D. Davies in 1889 Colwick, Nether and Over, was vested in the Musters family, and Colwick Hall continued to be their principal home until the Reform Riots of 1832, when the place was sacked and narrowly escaped destruction. Since 1832 the Halls at Annesley and Wiverton have been the chief residences of this family.
Colwick church.
The church, which stands at Over Colwick near to the Hall, is a small stone building, which consists of a tower and aisleless nave with chancel. The nave is the oldest part of the church, of very late perpendicular work, remarkable inside for the carving on the seventeenth century pews. The chancel and tower were rebuilt by Sir John Musters in a very plain style with large round arched windows. In the chancel, besides those of the Byrons, are the tombs of the Musters family. The inscriptions upon the latter follow.
Wiverton Hall.
WIVERTON.—The Hall shown in the engraving ... is a modern building, dating from the early part of the last century. The old gate house, all that remained after the destruction of the older hall in the seventeenth century, still stands at the back of the present mansion, with which it has been incorporated. Leland, the famous English topographer, travelling from Hover-ingham Ferry to Langar on his way to Melton Mowbray, describes Sir John Chaworth's house at Wiverton as "a Knighte's manor place, whereabout I saw great and mervelous fair medows. Chaworth Place is called Warton Haulle". In a spinney near the present house may be seen traces of a still earlier manor house.
Monuments at Colwick.
On the south wall of the chancel at Colwick is a tablet bearing the following inscription, above which is a bust, apparently that of Sir John Musters:—
In the Vault underneath lies the Body of S' John Musters, Knt, descended from the Ancient family of Musters or de Monasterys of Yorkshire, according to Mr. Camden. His first wife was Anne the daughter of Sir John Maynard, Knt of the Bath by whom he had Issue, John, who married Millicent the only daughter & heiress of Adrian Mundy of Derbyshire, by whom he left many children. Mary who married Sr Richard Spencer of Hertfordshire, Baronet, and after his decease shee married S' Ralph Radcliffe, of the same County, Knt. Shee left no Issue, and died Sep' 3rd, 1719, aged 68, and Lies buried at Hitchen, in Hertfordshire. Shee was a Lady of great Piety & Charity. His second wife was Sarah the Daughter of Anthony Bidduiph of Staffordshire, Esqr, by whom he had Issue, Charles, who married Mary the only Daughter and Heiress of Jno. Wentworth of Somerlye, in the County of Suffolk, Esq', and left no Issue. His third wife was Jane the Daughter of S' Francis Bassett of Cornwall, Knt, the said Jane survived him but left no issue. Hee at his great Expence Repaired the Church & new built the Chancell & Steeple in the year 1684, and was a person of great prudence & charity. Hee died the 28th day of July in the year 1689, aged 66. The monument was directed by the last will of the said Charles Musters to the memory of his Honoured Father. The said Charles died Decr the 18th, 1719, aged 64, and is buried in The Vault.
Upon this monument are the Arms of Musters impaling Mundy: Per pale gules and sable on a cross engrailed argent five lozenges purpure, a chief or charged with three crows legs erased a la quise azure.
Against the North wall of the Chancel stands a monument of unusual size surmounted two figures, life size, presumably Mr. and Mrs. Musters, with this inscription:—
In Memory of John Musters of this Place Esqr
eldest Son of Sr John Musters of Homsey in the County of Midlesex Knight,
and in Memory of Millicent his wife the Daughter
and Heir of Adryan Mundy of Quarne in the County of Darby Esqr
who was the third Son of Francis Mundy of Markeaton in the same County Esqr
by her hee had eight children (viz.) John, Mundy, Thomas, Charles, Anne, Millicent, Francis, & Elizth
John and Elizabeth dyed Infants
Hee dyed the third day of December in the year 1685 and in the Seven and Thirtieth year of
his age, and lyes buried in the Vault underneath
This Monument was erected by his affectionate Widow in the year 1689
Shee dyed the Twenty-third day of February 1739: In the
Eighty Sixth Year of her Age
Against the north wall of the Chancel at Colwick are two white marble tablets bearing the following inscriptions :—
In memory of | John Musters of Colwick, Esqr, | (only son of Mundy Musters, Esqr), who died Feby xxvii, MDCCCXXVII, | aged LXXIV. | Also of John Musters, Esqr, | (only son of the above) | of Colwick, Annesley, and Wiverton, | in this County, who died Septr viii, MDCCCXLIX, aged LXXII. | This tablet was erected by the Rev. Willm M. Musters, | from affectionate regard to his father and grandfather.
Sacred to the memory of | John George Chaworth Musters, | eldest son of | John Chaworth Musters and Mary Ann his wife | of Colwick Hall and Annesley Park, Nottinghamshire, | who departed this life August 2nd, 1842, aged 34 years. | He married Emily, daughter of Philip and Anne Hamond, | of Westacre, in the county of Norfolk, by whom he left three children, | John Chaworth Musters, George Chaworth Musters, | and Mary Anne Chaworth Musters. \This tablet is erected by his widow.
Colwick Church: The Chancel, with Monument of John Musters, 1685, of Mary Ann Chaworth, 1832, and the Musters Window.
On the North side of the Chancel, next to the Altar, is a figure said to represent Mrs. Musters. Upon the pedestal is this inscription to the last of the Chaworths:—
TO THE MEMORY OF
MARY ANN MUSTERS
DIED 6TH OF FEBR.Y 1832 AGED 47.
FOR HER WHO SLEEPS BENEATH THIS HOLY PLACE
THIS MARBLE SPEAKS OUR GRIEF, BUT POINTS TO THIS
FAITH IN GOD'S MERCIES THROUGH A SAVIOUR'S GRACE
TO WALK IN REGIONS OF ETERNAL BLISS.
T. W. V.
Mary Ann Musters was only Daughter, & heiress of George Chaworth Esqr of Annesley in the County of Nottingham, and wife of John Musters Esqr of Colwick in the same County by whom this Monument is erected.
On the South side of the Altar is the allegorical figure of Resignation, bearing on the pedestal the following inscription : —
TO THE MEMORY OF SOPHIA CATHERINE MUSTERS
THIS MONUMENT WAS ERECTED BY HER AFFECTIONATE HUSBAND
IF TRUTH, IF GOODNESS, CHARITY AND GRACE CAN IN HEAVEN'S HOLY RECORD FIND A PLACE
THY NAME, SOPHIA, WITH AN ANGEL'S PEN
IS TRACED ON LEAVES OF BLISS, BY SAINTED MEN.
DIED SEPTEMBER 19TH 1819 AGED 61 YEARS.
Besides the monuments, there were also four Hatchments of Arms. The first, for a widower, bore the arms and crest of Musters. The second was similar for a wife. The third was quarterly: (i) Musters; (2) Mundy of Markeaton; (3) Or, within a bordure sable, three goats saliant; (4) Sable, a griffin or, between 3 crosses pattee fitchee.
Upon a tombstone on the South side of the churchyard at Colwick is the following inscription :—
In memory | of | the Rev. William Musters Chaworth Musters | who died 16 October 1870 | aged 60 years | Also in loving memory of | Harriet | wife of the above | born August 20th 1810 | died July 15th 1909 | Implora pace | Waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
MEMORIAL TABLETS IN ANNESLEY OLD CHURCH.
In memory of | JOHN GEORGE MUSTERS, | late 10th Huzzars, | born in 1807, died in 1842, | and of EMILY, his wife, | who died in 1845, the daughter of Philip Hamond Esqr of Westacre. |
Their children were: | MARY ANN CHAWORTH, | born 1839, married 1863 Horatio Packe, R.N. | GEORGE CHAWORTH MUSTERS, R.N., | born 1841, died 1879 and JOHN MUSTERS, born 1838, by whom this tablet is erected. |
In memory of | JOHN MUSTERS, Esqre, | of Colwick and West Bridgford, | born 1777, died 1849, | & of MARY ANN, his wife, | born 1786, died 1832, | the only daughter of | George Chaworth, Esqre, & | heiress of Annesley, Wiverton & Edwalton. | Their children were: |
John George, in the Army, died 1842.
William Musters, in Holy Orders, died 1870. |
Henry, in the Army. |
Charles, in the Navy, died 1832.
Mary Ann, | married Anthony Hamond of Westacre. |
Sophia Caroline, | married Robert Hamond, and
Alicia Augusta.|
This tablet is erected to the memory | of his grandfather and grandmother, | who were buried in Colwick Church, by | John Chaworth Musters, their successor.
ON A THREE-SIDED MEMORIAL STONE IN ANNESLEY CHURCHYARD.
Facing North.
Mary Ann Chaworth, | the only daughter of John George Musters | and wife of Horatio Packe, R.N., | was born Jan. 12, 1832 and died, at Brighton, Jan. 30, 1881. | She was buried in the Cemetery there, and this inscription | is placed to her memory by her affectionate brother, John Chaworth Musters.
Facing West.
In affectionate remembrance of | GEORGE CHAWORTH MUSTERS, | Commander R.N., Traveller and Explorer | in unknown latitudes of South America | He married Herminia, only daughter of Charles Williams, Esq., | of Sucre, & died Jan. 25, 1879, aged 37, leaving three daughters. |
"They that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters; these see the works of the Lord, and His wonders in the deep."
Facing South.
JOHN CHAWORTH MUSTERS I of Annesley, | who erected this memorial of his brother and sister, | was born at Wiverton, Jan. 9, 1838 & married in 1859 | the eldest daughter of Henry Sherbrooke, of Oxton, | by whom he had three sons & two daughters, | He died at Aumont, France, Nov. 17, 1887, aged 49, & was buried at Langar in his native county. |
" Home is the sailor, home from the sea
And the hunter is home from the hill."