Cemetery: Athlone
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Ireland Genealogy Projects Archives
Westmeath Index
Copyright
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File contributed by: Jacquie Liddiard
ALTHONE
[From Isaac Butler's MS.]
In the church there are three monuments. The first on the
right hand near the churchwardens seat. It is a large arch
of black marble, & on the base the inscription.
[Here follows the inscription on Sir Mathew de Renzi's
monument, for which see p.228.]
_______
On the same side, but further in the church.
[Butler here gives the inscription on Mrs. A. Hancock's
monument, for which see page 229.]
_______
On the left hand of the altar, near the pulpit, there is a
monument fixed in the wall, with a large coat of arms.
Motto, “Firmitas in Caelo.”
[Here follows Captain St. George's inscription, for which
see p.229.]
It appears from the Queen's arms of the north gate & the
east gate that this town was walled in her (sic) time & the
direction of Sir Henry Sydney, then Lord Deputy of Ireland.
There is on the bridge a memorial of this great man, by this
Bust raised on a stone, Queen Elizabeth over him, with
inscriptions.
Over the Queen's arms, “God save Queen Elizabeth.” Under
her arms, in old English :
“Gebe to Cesar that we is Cesars and to God that Which is
Godis. Mat. 22.”
Over Sir Henry Sidney's arms, “Quo me fata vocant”; and the
following on two large stones at the bottom of the Pediment
:-
“THIS BRIDGE OF ALTHONE FROM THE MAINE EARTH UDER THE WATER
WAS ERECTED AND MADE THE 9TH YEAR OF THE RAIGN OF OUR MOST
DERE SOVERAIGNE LADIE ELIZABETH, BY THE GRACE OF GOD QUEEN
OF ENGLAND FRANCE & IRELAND, DEFENDER OF THE FAITHEI & BY
THE DEVICE AND ORDER OF SIR HENRY SIDNEY KT OF THE MOST
NOBIL ORDER, THE 2 DAIE OF JULIE, THEN BEING OF THE AGE OF
38 YERE. L. PRESIDENT OF THE COUNSEL OF WALES AND MARCHIS.
OF THE SAME & LORD DEPUTIE GENERAL OF THIS HIR MAGESTIS
REALM OF IR AND FINISHED IN LESS THAN ONE YEAR BI THE GOOD
INDUSTRI AND DILIGENS OF SR PETER LEWYS.”
On the 2d stone :-
CLERKE, CHANT OF CATHEDRAL CHURCH OF CHRIST CHURCH IN DUBLIN
AND STEWARD TO THE SAID DEPUTIE IN WC YEARE WAS BEGONE &
FINISHED THE FAIRE NEW WORKE IN THE CASTHEL OF DUBLIN
BESIDIS MANY OTHER NOTABLE WORKIS DONE IN 85DRI 0THER PLACIS
IN THIS REALME ALSO THE ARCHREBELE SHANE ONEYL OVERTHROVEEN
– HIS HEAD SET ON THE GATE OF THE SAID CASTEL – COYNE &
LIVERY ABOLISHED, & THE WHOLE REALME BREOUGHT INTO SUCH
OBEDIENCE TO HER MAJESTIE AS THE LIKE TRANQUILITIE PEACE AND
WELT IN THE MEMORY OF MANIE HATH NOT BENE SENE.”
We have to thank the Rev. George T. Stokes, D.D., for the
following inscriptions ; they were copied, we believe , from
the originals, the by late Rev. John S. Joly, Rector of
Athlone. We have several of them in the copy of Isaac
Butler's MS in our possession ; but as he does not appear to
have followed any regular plan in copying them, we have
adopted Mr. Joly's MS., where they are arranged
chronologically. – Ed.
Inscriptions on Monuments in St. Mary's Church, Athlone, in
Chronological Order.
“THIS MONUMENT WAS ERECTED FOR THE RIGHT WORSHIPFULL MATHEW
DE RENZI : KNIGHT WHO DEPARTED THIS LIFE THE : 29 : AUGUST :
1634 : BEINGE OF THE AGE OF : 57 : YEARS : BORNE AT CULLEN
IN GERMANY AND DISCENDED FROM THAT FAMOUS RENOWNED WARIROR
GEORGE CASTRIOTT, ALS SCANDERBERGE (WHO IN THE CHRISTIAN
WARR, FOUGHT 52 : BATTAILES WITH GREAT CONQUEST AND HONNOR
AGAINST THE GREAT TURKEY) HE WAS A GREAT TRAVELLER AND
GENERALL LINGUIST : AND KEPT CORRESPONDENCY WITH MOST
NATIONS IN MANY WEIGHTY AFFAIRES : AND IN THREE YEARS GAVE
GREAT PERFECTION TO THIS NATION BY COMPOSING A GRAMMER
DICTIONARY AND CHRONICLE IN THE IRISH TONGUE : IN ACCOMPTS
MOST EXPERT AND EXCEEDING ALL OTHERS TO HIS GREAT APPLAUSE.
THIS WORKE WAS ACCOMPLISHED BY HIS SONN MATHEW DE RENZI ESQR
AUGUST : THE 29 : 1635 :”
Isaac Butler gives this inscription, but does not appear to
have followed the spelling. He spells De Renzi “de Rentsi,”
and inserts the letters “Sr” before his name.
Bulter gives the motto “Firmitas in Caelo,” here.
“NEER THIS PLACE LYETH THE BODYS OF CAPTAIN RICHD ST. GEORGE
AND HIS PIOUS WIFE ANN ELDEST DAUGHTER OF MICHAEL PENNOCK OF
TURROE IN THE COUNTY OF ROSCOMMON ESQR. HE WAS FOR SEVERAL
YEARS GOVERNOR OF ATHLONE, THIRD SON OF SR. RICHARD ST.
GEORGE KNT. CLARENCEUX KING OF ARMS BY ISABEL HIS WIFE
DAUGHTER OF NICHOLAS ST. JOHN OF LIDIARD TREGOZ IN WILTSHIRE
ESQR. BROTHER TO [SIR] HENRY ST. GEORGE KNT. GARTER
PRINCIPALL KING OF ARMS AND TO ST. [SIR] GEORGE ST. GEORGE
OF CARRICK DRUMROOSK IN THE COUNTY OF LEITRIM KNT. BORN AT
HALTEYS ST. GEORGE IN CAMBRIDGESHIRE THE 27TH MARCH 1590 AND
DEPARTED THIS LIFE IN ATHLONE THE 24TH OF APRIL 1667. THE
SAID ANN HIS WIFE WAS BORN AT TURROCK THE 18TH OF NOVEMBER
1606 AND DYED IN ATHLONE THE 4TH OF OCTOBER 1643 TO WHOSE
MEMORYS THEIR SONS ARTHUR AND HENRY ERECTED THIS MONUMENT
ANNO DOMINI 1686.”
_______
“THIS MONUMENT WAS ERECTED IN MEMORY OF MRS. ABIGAIL
HANDCOCK DAUGHTER OF THE REVERND. THOMAS STANLEY & LATE WIFE
OF WILLIAM HANDCOCK OF TROYFORD ESQR. BY WHOM HE HAD ISSUE 9
SONS & 7 DAUGHTERS, WHO DEPARTED THIS LIFE THE 21ST OF NOVR
AN0 DOM. 1680 IN THE 63RD YEAR OF HER AGE & LYES INTERRED
UNDERNEATH THIS PLACE. VIGILATE ET ORATE.” [Bulter's MS.]
“To the memory of Gustavus Handcock late of Waterstown in
the County of Westmeath Esq. who died 4th Sept. 1751 Aged
fifty eight. Lamented by all who knew his virtues. He was
humane, friendly and religious, an active and impartial
magistrate. His conduct in Parliament was directed by the
love of his country, which was constant and sincere. A kind
Husband and a tender Father of a loverly Daughter Katherine,
who died 5th April 1746 aged sixteen, and a son Robert, who
showed in his conduct the fruit of an early and pious
education. In him revived his Father's virtues. The favour
of youth was tempered by the sense of age. He was exemplary
to the young, Honoured and beloved by the aged and
experienced. But he was scarcely seen and admired until he
was summoned to the Happiness he aspired. He died in the
24th year of his age, anno 1754. This monument was erected
to their remains by Elizabeth Handcock, widow and mother to
these once dear and now Lamented Persons. An : Dom : 1759.”
_______
“In the family vault are deposited the remained of Willm.
Handcock Esquire, Late Representative in Parliament for this
town, for 28 years he exerted the most conscientious
diligence in the discharge of his office as Collector of
Trim and Commissioner of the Board of Works. He fulfilled
the several duties of Husband, Father, and Friend in a
manner rarely equall'd, never excel'd, and was most
deservedly admired by all who knew him, whether personally
or by character. With the strength of mind and fortitude
becoming a Christian he sustained the repeated attacks of a
lingering disorder till the seventh of April A.D. 1794,
AEtatis 56, when with a joyful hope of a blessed
Resurrection, and a firm reliance on the merits of his
all-gracious Redeemer, he resigned his meek spirit into the
hands of his God. This monument a small tribute to as many
virtues as ever centred in one man, was erected at the joint
expense of Mrs. Sus. Handcock, his deeply afflicted widow
[who passed above 26 years of uninterrupted happiness with
this truly best of Husbands, and still existed but in the
idea of rejoining him in a better world] and his only son
Robert Handcock, Esq.”
_______
“The remains of William Potts late of Correen in the County
of Roscommon Esqr. are deposited in the family Burial place
adjoining the South wall of this church. He died on the
11th of Novr. 1799 in the 71st year of his age.”
_______
“Sacred to the memory of Thomas Lloyd of Athlone Esq. who
departed this life deservedly regretted the 25th June 1802
aged 79 years. His conduct through life proved him an
affectionate Husband a good Father and an honest man.”
_______
“In memory of Hannah Zouch wife of Colonel Zouch of
Wakefield Yorks. The indissoluble love and esteem of her
husband Decrees this monument.
Her life was an ornament and blessing to her family. Midst
the Gifts that worldly comforts bring She moved unconscious
of superior away In pure and unaffected virtue Dignity of
mind and Gentleness of heart The beauteous image of angelic
worth Virtue smiled imprinted on her look Calm Simplicity
marked out her way.
She departed this life January 18th 1806 in the 28th year of
her age.”
_______
“Within the presincts of this sacred ground are interred the
mortal remains of Henry Hunt Son of Sarah and John Philips
Hunt Esq. Lieut. Col. in the Army and Inspecting Field
Officer of this district who died March 7th 1815 aged 6
months.”
_______
“Sacred to the memory of Laurence McDowall son of Willm.
McDowall Late of Castlesempil in Scotland and Lieutenant
Colonel of the Renfrewshire Militia. This monument was
erected by the officers of the Regiment as a mark of their
love for the virtues and respect for the character of their
fellow Soldier. He was born 26th August MDCCLXIV. Died at
Athlone 5th August 1815.”
A headstone to same in the first part of the graveyard.
_______
“Sacred to the memory of James Ratray Byres Aged 18 Years
and 7 Months and William John Kerr aged 19 Years Ensigns in
the 2nd Battn. lst or Royal Regt. who were unfortunately
Drowned in the Kilinuxe Lake on 29th of November 1834. This
tablet was erected by their brother officers as a
testimonial of affectionate esteem and sincere regret.”
Tomb in churchyard to same.
“Sacred to the memory of the Rev. John Gustavus Handcock
late Rector of the Parish of Annaduff Co. Leitrim. A
faithful and devoted servant of the Lord Jesus Christ who
having both by his life and doctrine adorned the Gospel of
God his Saviour, was removed by death from his affectionate
family and flock, in the prime of his days, and in the midst
of his usefulness, March 2nd 1838 AEtat 39.
This tablet was erected by his brothers in token of their
love and affection for him.”
_______
“Sacred to the memory of William Viscount Castlemaine, who
departed this life 7th Janry. 1839 aged 75 years. His death
though sudden, was not unprepared. Entirely and habitually
renouncing all merit in himself, with the utmost humility,
and contrition of heart, he vested all his hope of
salvation, on the atonement and mediation of our Blessed
Redeemer Jesus Christ. Erected by his afflicted widow.”
{to be continued.}
Source: Journal of the Association for the Preservation of
the Memorials of the Dead in Ireland, Vol. 2. FHL# 1279252