Rare Church Sculpture

The Military Effigy
At the beginning of the thirteenth century, carved representations or effigies began to appear. The earliest effigial monument in the area is here at St. Helen's, it was commonly called Sir Gilbert - referring to the Earl of Shrewsbury.
Sir Christopher Talbot, a younger son of the second Earl of Shrewsbury, is described in various charters as being of Treeton. Hunter thinks that the monumental effigy is more likely to be Christopher Talbot.
When referred to by Charles Hadfield in 1896, while repairing the church. He described it as ...'a stone effigy of a knight in chain mail, placed in a recess in the Western doorway'. There are insufficient remains of the shield to see any coat of arms but it was said by some to represent the House of Talbot, however, it was probably intended for the figure of a Horbery or a Bernak, both these families having held the Manor under the Furnivals.
The Church of St. Helen, is the only one in the Hallamshire wapentake , mentioned in the Domesday survey. It consists of a nave, aisles, chancel, vestry and a square embattled tower containing six bells, three of which were added in 1892. The Norman arches and the coffin of a child were relics of a Norman church which was pulled down and erected again about 1200 AD. The Chancel was restored in 1869 at a cost of £700, and the nave was later restored and reseated - possibly in 1879, under C. Hadfield architects of Sheffield . The remaining portions of the church were fully restored in 1892, the principal part of the work being the embellishment and restoration of the Brampton chapel as a memorial to the Rev. Bernard Watkins, Jnr., who was Rector from 1877 - 1878.
Brampton Quire
The Brampton Chapel , or Quire, is paved with stones inscribed to members of the families of
Vescy,
Bradshaw and
Lord who are buried here. In 1866 the chancel was restored at the expense of the Rector when new and massive benches of carved oak were fixed, and communion rails and a screen of carved stone presented by her surviving brother and sister to the memory of Elizabeth Sykes Wheat, daughter of John Wheat, who died in 1865.
Memorial Windows
There are memorial windows to members of the Watkins, Cooke, Taylor and Linley families.
War Memorials
A ceremony took place in September 1918 to remember Colin Parkin. An Oak Chair with a dedicatory plaque on the back which reads:
In Loving Memory of Collin Parkin Killed in France August 1st, 1917. R.I.P.
A Stone Tablet was unveiled by F. J. Jones in a ceremony on 17th January, 1921, attended by local dignataries:
1914 1919 To the Glory of God and in grateful Remembrance of the Men of this Parish who gave their lives for God and Country
during the Great War. The names follow.
In the Brampton Chapel a Communion Rail with a dedicatory bronze plaque:
IN LOVING MEMORY OF LIEUT EDWARD BOURNES KERR (RIFLE BRIGADE) KILLED IN ACTION MAY 26TH 1916. IN THANKFULNESS FOR HIS BEAUTIFUL LIFE. THIS COMMUNION RAIL WAS ERECTED BY HIS PARENTS.
The Stocks
The stocks
were removed in about 1883, when their site was fenced into
the churchyard by the Rev. Mr. Watkin.
They consisted of two round-topped stoneposts
about three feet high, having each a
groove some three inches wide cut down their
inner face, but not continued to the top of
the posts; in these ran two planks about
3in. x 12in., which must have been inserted
into the grooves before the posts were fixed
in the earth. The upper plank could be lifted
up to allow of the insertion of the.
culprits' legs into the two semi-circles cut
into the respective upper and lower edges of
the bottom and top planks, which were then
locked together with a padlock or fetter-lock. Source:Notes & Queries
Rectors of St. Helens
Its first rector was a William de Muschamp and the second, a Philip de Hesseley. His successor, Richard de Tydolph, was presented in 1287, by John de Horbery and Richard de Bernak, knights, so that the manor of Treeton which had been sub-infeuded to Richard de Surdeval by the Earl of Morton, from whom it passed to the Paganel family, had by this time, been sub-let further to the Lovetots and Furnivals, from whom the two knights named seem to have held it. At the same period the Pierrepont family held some of the land, but in 1298, Richard de Furnival is noted as the sole lord.
| 1190 |
Wm de Muschamp |
| Oct 1444 |
Henry Stafford Patron John Earl Shrewsbury | | 1765 |
Jn Carver |
| Jan 1238 |
Philip de Hesseley |
| March 1486 |
Thos Thorley Patron George Earl Shrewsbury | | 1805 |
Thos Raddish |
| March 1287 |
Ric de Tydolfside,presented by John de Horbery and Richard de Bernak |
| March 1513 |
William HolmePatron George Earl Shrewsbury. Buried Ecclesfield,Oct 1580 | | 1809 |
George Chandler |
| Jan 1293 |
Jn de Dunton presented by Richard de Bernak |
| Dec 1540 Patron Francis Shrewsbury |
Edward Hatfield Died 1587 | | 1846 |
Bernard E. Watkins |
| Oct 1307 |
Thos de Ebroicis presented by Richard de Bernak |
| Nov 1544 |
Thomas Stokes Patron Francis Shrewsbury | | 1877 |
Bernard E. Watkins Jnr. |
| 1317 |
Richard de Bernak |
| Dec1556 |
Jn Tyas Patron Francis Shrewsbury | | 1888 |
Hbt Springett Watkins |
| 1318 |
Richard de Athelingflete |
| Oct 1581 |
Jn Johnes MDPatron George Shrewsbury | | 1898 |
Jn C Blackmore |
| 1318 |
Richard de Celario |
| Oct 1600 |
Osmonde Bourne Patron Gilbert Shrewsbury | | 1917 |
F. Wm. Metcalfe was vicar of St. Barnabas, Battersea, S.W London |
| April 1334 |
Wil de Wytherdeleye Patron Thos Furnival |
| June 1642 |
Sherland AdamsPatron Sir Edward Leek Shrewsbury | | 1919 |
Wm. Francis Kerr |
| Oct 1364 |
Wil Savage Patron Wm Furnival |
| 1646 |
Chris Amgill | | 1945 |
A. E. Searle-Barnes |
| 1387 |
Jn de Wykngeston |
| 1660 |
Shorland Adams | | 1950 |
Thos. Paul Hounsfield(b1915) Ordained Deacon in 1947.Priest in 1948. At Donington (Diocese of) Lichfield 1961-80 |
| May1398 |
Roger Darcy Patrons Thos Nevil,Lord Furnival |
| Aug 1664 |
Michael Adams Patron James Moseley London | | 1961 |
Chas. Dennis George |
| March 1402 |
Thos de Lowther Patrons Thos Nevil,Lord Furnival |
| 21 Feb.1680 |
Cuthbert BrownePresented By Henry Duke of Norfolk | | 1979 |
Graham David Noel Smith(b1937) Ordained Deacon in 1973. Priest in 1974 |
| Jan 1412 |
William Newton Patron John Lord Talbot |
| Feb 1692 |
Francis Jessop Presented By Henry Duke of Norfolk | | 1985 |
Allan J. Lacey(b1948) Ordained Deacon in 1982. Priest in 1983 |
| April 1425 |
Roger Stedman Patron John Lord Talbot |
| Nov 1728 |
Samuel Drake Presented Thomas Lord Malton | | 1992 |
Lionel E. Boniface(b1936) Ordained Deacon in 1964. Priest in 1965 |
| April 1442 |
Thomas Moore Patron John Lord Talbot |
| 1753 |
Midd Griffith | | 1999 |
Alan Isaacson |
| June 1443 |
Nicholas Serle Patron John Earl Shrewsbury |
| 1763 |
Jn Griffith | | - |
- |
At Treeton, Ralph de Horbury and Richard de Bernack presented jointly in 1288. It appears
likely that both moieties were purchased by Horbury and Bernack. The tenure of
Horbury passed to Sir Edmund Wasteneys , but there is no record of his ever having presented.
Bernack did present successfully to his moiety in 1293 (the presentee
was a clerk of the earl of Surrey, perhaps an effort to hang on to his claim), but in
1307, the Bernack candidate (a member of the Bernack family) was not accepted.
After a gap until 1334, the next presentation - this time to the whole church — was
made by the chief lord, Sir Thomas de Furnival.
Rev. Sherland Adams
Sherland Adams was educated at St. John's College, Cambridge . He became Chaplain to the Earl of Newcastle and was appointed Rector of Eyam in 1630.
He was not a well liked person either at Treeton, where he chiefly resided, or Eyam.
Children, born Eyam: b.1631 Brigit,
b.1633 Anne,
b.1633 Edward,
b.1635 William,
b.1636 Dorothy,
b.1637 Michael,
b.1640 Richard,
b.1641 John
Shortly after the war broke out between King Charles and the Parliament, he was regarded with disgust because of the measures he took in favour of the Royal cause, this resulted in him being put into prison. While Rector of Treeton, Yorkshire, in March 1644, he was ordered to preach a "Recantation Sermon" at York Minster .This probably meant that he was ordered to give up his Churchmanship and his adherence to the King's side. Because he refused, he was deprived of both his livings at Eyam and Treeton.
The charges against him were noted in a publication entitled The Ploughman's Vindication , written by Nicholas Ardron, of Treeton. One of the accusations:
...further it is charged against him that he is a man much given to much trouble and suits at law, as is well-known at Eyam, in Derbyshire, where he was Rector, where they tasted this his turbulent spirit; that he gave tythe of lead ore to the King against the Parliament, delivered a man and musket against them, and sent a fat ox to the Earl of Newcastle, as a free gift to maintain the war against the Parliament...
He retired to his estate at Woodlaithes, near Rotherham until at the Restoration of the Monarchy, he was reinstated in his Livings, but did not enjoy them long, for he died four years later on Aprill 11, 1664, and was buried in the chancel of Treeton Church,where a Latin epitaph commemorates his loyalty, virtues, and sufferings!
'Hic jacet SHORELAND ADAMS, ecclesiae hujus de Treeton una et de Eyam in Com. Derb. Rector: qui ex ambobus rectoriis vi et armis amotus, et alia multa ob solam erga regem C. I. fidelitatem immobilem perpessus ...... tandemque in pristina jura restaurato jam D. G. Rege C. II. e postliminio rediente anno abhine IV°, in pace Domini placide occubuit, Apr. die XI. A.D. M dc LXIV. Ps VII. Deo vindice justi.'
Rev. Michael Adams
Attended St. Johns College, Cambridge, died in Bressington, while on a journey on 27th December, 1689. At the Church of St. James, Brassington, there is a brass inscription to him and his son who is buried with him:
'forte hinc itinerant. dum rigor foris saeviebat hiemalis, saevior arripuit intus febris calor inextinguibilis et igneo (ad instar Elijae) vehiculo as sedes Dni evexit. Ob. 1680'
Samuel Drake
Samuel Drake was the grandson of the Rector of Handsworth,Samuel Drake (bap. 1622, d. 1679). He was born in Pontefract and baptized on 23 April 1688, the son of Francis Drake, Vicar of Pontefract, and elder brother of the historian Francis Drake (bap. 1696, d. 1771) and author of the Eboracum.
After being educated at Sedbergh School, Drake was admitted to St John's College, Cambridge, aged sixteen, on 4 May 1704, and graduated BA in 1707; he proceeded MA in 1711, BD in 1718, and DD in 1724. He was ordained deacon on 5 March 1710, priest on 16 June 1717, and was a fellow of St John's from 1710 to 1735. He was vicar of Hutton-Buscel, Yorkshire, from 1722 to 1728, when he became rector of Treeton, Yorkshire; in 1733 he also became vicar of Holme-on-Spalding Moor. On 21 October 1734, he married Elizabeth, daughter of Darcy Dalton of Hawkeswell, at St Benet Paul's Wharf, London.
In 1720, while a fellow at St John's, Drake issued a proposal to reprint Archbishop Matthew Parker's great work on ecclesiastical antiquities. This was printed in 1729 by William Bowyer under the title of Matthaei Parker … de antiquitate Britannicae ecclesiae, and the work contained twenty-three new folio copperplates. Drake also edited several Latin discourses to the clergy, defending himself in 1721 against a reply to one of these by Thomas Wagstaffe the nonjuror. He died on 5 March 1753 and was buried in Treeton church with a monumental inscription.
The Rev. Francis Jessop
A Fellow of Lincoln College, Oxford and younger brother of the last William Jessop ,of Broom Hall , who married Lord Darcy's daughter, was Rector of Treeton.
He was appointed a Deacon in 1692 and his admittance to the Rectory of Treeton was March, 1692.
Charges were made against Francis Jessop of unlawful and unclerical behaviour,(for example, that he has not observed the Book of Common Prayer, he has used foul language and has frequented the company of lewd women.
He had himself sometimes occupied the
pulpit of the Sheffield Church, for he published a sermon preached there in I709. Once, when sitting in Mr. Jessop's loft
listening to a discourse by Vicar Drake, he rose, levelled a
loaded pistol at the preacher, and called out, " Duck or Drake,
have at thee, mallard." The terrified Vicar stooped down in
the pulpit in great trepidation, and remained hidden until his
reverend brother had been dismantled. Mr. Jessop, after
playing many other mad pranks, and obtaining for himself a
reputation at Treeton expressed in the lines, "A fighting
priest, the bully of the gown. . . Who thumps the cushion
and his people too," was adjudged a lunatic, and "closed an
unhappy life" in I728.
Bradshaw the Regicide
Treeton church
possesses considerable interest to the antiquary.
A stone in the chancel contains
the following inscription:
'Hic jacet Edwardus Bradshaw, armiger, in occiduo
cinere expectans eum cul nomen est oriens.
Qui XXII.
die Decemb. M.D.C.LXV. occubuit.'
Hunter, the historian, says, 'A common opinion at Treeton is that this stone covers
the remains of President John Bradshaw, who is supposed
to have retired to this obscure village at the deed of guilt and blood, who had found a secure asylum
in the neighbouring village of Darnall.
"Village tradition, fruitful in expedients, assigns as
the reason of Edward and not John appearing on the stone,
that the true name was suppressed to save the reliques of
so obnoxious a man from posthumous indignities. But
there was a family of the name of Bradshaw possessing
considerable property at Brampton in this parish, of
whom there are other memorials in the church of Treeton,
to whom doubtless this Edward Bradshaw belonged."
The body of John Bradshaw, who presided at
the trial of Charles I., and passed sentence of
death upon the king, was,believed to be buried in
Westminster Abbey with great pomp; but was
disinterred after the Restoration, and the head
struck off, and placed upon a pole. He died Nov.
22nd, 1659.
Edward Bradshaw, according to the inscription,
was a military man; but John Bradshaw, the
president, was a lawyer.
John Bradshaw, tho lawyer, was a younger son of
Henry Bradshaw of Marple Hall, in the parish of Stockport
in Cheshire: his mother was Catherine, daughter
and co-heir of Ralph Winnington, Esq. of Oflerton.
The remains of John Bradshaw, with those of Cromwell
and Ireton, will more probably be found beneath No. 49,
Connaught Square, which stands on the site of the Tyburn
gallows, than in the church of Treeton. His pompous
burial first in Westminster Abbey, the disinterment
of his body, his decapitation, and reburial under Tyburn
gallows, were events of public notoriety at the time.
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