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BABWORTH: THE PARISH CHURCH, ETC.

In 1295, the advowson of this church was the property of Robert de Swillington, who had free warren in Babworth, and at his death, in 1365, it descended to Sir Thomas de Grendon, who, shortly afterwards sold it to Sir William Trussbutt, and his heirs, but who, within three years after taking possession, presented it to the priory of Newstead, having first obtained the king’s license, and the license of Sir Thomas de Saundby, chief and mesne lord thereof, to do so. From this period until 1531, it remained in the possession of the said priory, when John Blake, the then prior, on the 4th of October in that year, for the sum of fifteen pounds, granted it, and one acre of land, to John Hercy, Esq. of Grove, and to his heirs; nevertheless, it appears that he only made one presentation, when it passed into other hands, and in 1674 became the property of the Wortleys, from whom it was purchased by John Simpson, Esq. in whose descendants the patronage is continued.

The church, which is dedicated to All Saints, is a small but handsome structure of stone, advantageously situated on a rising ground. It consists of tower steeple, with three bells, and clock, a nave and chancel uniform in their windows, height, and battlements, with a side aisle and vestry, and a handsome porch. The whole is of the later period of the Gothic architecture. The little burial plot which surrounds it, is considerably elevated, being connected with, or rather enclosed within the elegant pleasure grounds of the adjacent buildings; while the fine trees, aged and bowery, enhance materially the charming effect of the ivy-mantled tower.

The monumental inscriptions here retained, are not of an ancient date, but the following are deserving of record. In the front of the eastern window, which is of purple glass, divided into five compartments, is a very elegant monument from a design by Repton, having the following inscription.

Sacred to the memory of HENRIETTA FRANCES, the beloved wife of John Bridgeman Simpson Esq. whose grief for her early loss, can only be alleviated by the consciousness that for virtue like hers, the gates of the grave shall open unto life eternal! She died July 25th, 1791, aged 32.

On another, near the above, surmounted by an urn, and backed with a pyramid of mottled marble, is as follows.

Within the family vault of this church are deposited the remains of the REV. JOHN SIMPSON, late of Stoke Hall, in the county of Derby, who died the 5th day of April, in the year of our Lord, 1784, aged 85. Religion the most pure, learning the most profound, were his characteristics; every moral and social virtue he possessed and exercised in an eminent and amiable degree: he was honoured and beloved by all who knew him, so his death was universally lamented. Lady Bridgeman, his only surviving child, erects this monument in grateful remembrance of him. And also to the memory of her dear mother, who departed this life, in the year 1785, aged 75. She was the daughter of Thomas Stringer, Esq. of Deptford, in the county of Kent, and grandaughter of Admiral Benbow, of immortal memory.

Another beautiful mural tablet has the following,— To the memory of JOHN SIMPSON, Esq. (son of William Simpson, Esq. late of this place,) who died February 5th, 1727, and in the 57th year of his age; this monument was erected by Elizabeth, his relict, daughter of Francis Stringer, Esq. late of Sutton upon Lound, in this county. They had issue, six sons William, Francis, John, Gervase, Thomas, and Lindley, and four daughters, Elizabeth, Mary, Jane, and Eleanor: of the sons, two lye buried near this place, Francis and Thomas; and of the daughters, one, Eleanor, the rest still survive. Underneath. ELIZABETH SIMPSON, relict of John Simpson, died the 8th February, 1746, aged 76, and was buried near the remains of her beloved husband, in the chancel of this church.

Another monument, surmounted with an urn, bearing the motto "Duo Juncta in Una," has the following inscription,

In this vault is interred CATHARINE SIMPSON, daughter of the Hon. and Rev. Henry Brydges, D.D. brother to James, first Duke of Chandois; she died justly lamented, 1st May, 1771. In testimony of his high and sincere regard for ‘her most amiable disposition and good heart, this monument was erected by her disconsolate widower, Lindley Simpson. Also in the same vault lie the remains of LINDLEY SIMPSON, of Babworth, Esq. who departed this life justly regretted, the 8th day of February, in the year of our Lord. 1785.

Another monument of white marble, in the form of a cone, surmounted by the arms, bears the following.

To the memory of WILLIAM SIMPSON, late of Stainforth, in the county of York, Esq. and FRANCES, his wife, daughter to John Elwick, Esq. formerly of the same place, and Widow of John Eyre, late of Bramley, in the county of York, Esq. This monument was erected by his own appointment. He departed this life at Stainforth, the 16th of January, 1768, aged 71. She died the 2nd of April, 1762, aged 63. They lived much regarded, and died much lamented. They had four children, who died in their infancy. He married for his second wife, Elizabeth Warrington, daughter of George Warrington, of Wrexham, in Derbyshire, Esq. by whom he had no issue. She survived him.

On another,

This monument was erected in 1759, in memory of the HON. ANNA MARIA VANE, by her affectionate husband. Near this monument are deposited this remains, MORGAN VANE., Esq. of Bilby, in this county, son of the Hon. Morgan Vane, obiit Nov. 11th, An. Dom. 1789, aetatis suae 51.

A small sarcophagus in the body of church, records the following,

Sacred to the memory of JOHN ROGERS, late of Ranby, in this parish, gent. whose remains lie interred near this place, he died the 2nd day of March, 1798, in the 58th year of his age, universally beloved and lamented.

A benefactional table informs us, that Lindley Simpson, Esq. left to the rector of Babworth, one canal share, to be applied in teaching the poor children of that place to read, and in the purchase of Old and New Testaments, and other good books.

[A Catalogue of the Rectors of Babworth has been omitted.]

This church is a rectory, and the patronage is vested in the Hon. J. B. Simpson. Incumbent, Rev. Archdeacon Eyre. It is valued in the king’s books at £14. 19s. 2d. and pays for tenths, £1. 9s. 11d, and for synodals, 7s. 6d.

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