JOHN COLLINSON'S HISTORY - 2
At Eaft or Monks-Ninehead was an eftate belonging to the monks of the priory of Taunton, (whence its name) which in 1293 was valued at twenty-five fhillings.
The rectory of Ninehead, valued in 1292 at fix marks and a half, was appropriated to the fame monaftery, and the prior and convent had alfo the advowfon of the vicarage, the patronage of which is now in the crown, and the Rev. Dr. Bovett the prefent incumbent.
The church is dedicated to All-Saints, and is a fmall ftructure, confifting of a nave, chancel, and two fide ailes. At the weft end is an embattled tower, containing five bells. The north aile belongs to the family of Acland.
Againft the north wall of the chancel there is a plain ftone monument, infcribed:-
“Heere liethe interred Richard Wike, of Ninhed in the. county of Somerfet, efquier, who died June 17, 1590, being then of the age of 63 years; and Margaret his wif, daughter of Georg Role, of Stevenfton in the county of Devon, efquier, who died Aug. 12, 1578, being then of the age of 41 years, and parents of 17 children, vid. fix fonns, and 11 daughters.”
Arms, Argent, a chevron gules between three croffes moline fable.
On the fouth wall of the chancel is a monument of black and white marble, with this infcription: -
“Near this place lyeth the body of William Sanford, of Ninehead-Court, efq; who married Anne the daughter of Edward dark, of Chiply, efq, by whom he had three fons, two only furviving him, viz. William and John, infants. He died Feb. 9, 1718, aged 33. His death was much lamented by all, he having lived the fincereft friend, the moft affectionate hufband, the tendereft of fathers, and beft of mafters. Anne his widow thus perpetuates his memory, Dec. 27, 1720”
Arms, Azure, three bars wavy argent; Sanford: impaling, Or, two bars azure, in chief three efcallop fhells gules; Clarke.
Ninehead has been the refidence of the family of Sanford for feveral generations, whofe prefent reprefentative is Henry William Sanford, esq.
At the foutheaft corner of the fouth aile is a grand mural monument of ftone, on the bafe of which are the effigies of a man and woman kneeling on a cufhion, with a reading ftand and two books open before them. The man is in black, with a long flowing cloak; the woman in a black gown, the tail of which is tucked behind, and tied to her waift; the fleeves are large, fhort, and tied clofe round the arms above the elbow with fhort ruffles below; fhe has a black hood tied clofe under her chin. On the tablet is this infcription:-
“To the memory of Elizabeth wife of Edward Clarke, of Chipley, efq; eldeft daughter and heire of William Lottifham, efq; and Mary his wife, who was daughter and coheire of Edward Warre, of Chipley, efq. She dyed the 15 of March 1667, ætat. fuæ 42.”
“This happy foul exchang'd by her deceafe
The lands of Warre into the fields of peace,
Whither in triumph by her virtues led,
Grace hath advanc'd, and glory crown'd her head.
As fire and grandfire's heire, fhe here poffeft;
But knowing heaven's inheritance is beft,
She parted hence to be a facrifice,
Whofe afhes fall, and fpirit in flames doe rife.
Bleft foul!
My fad attendance and thefe trophies fhew
The dear affection to your worth I owe:
Your virtues bid me not approach the urne,
Unlefs with groanes and teares your lofs I mourne,
Which griefe in vaine lamenteth; for withftand
None can the force of the Almightie's hand.
The comfort left me is, I truft to view
And fhortly fhare eternal joys with you.”
Arms, 1. Clarke. 2. Gules, crufuly fitchée argent, a lion rampant of the laft, Warre: impaling, argent, three bulls' heads caboffed fable armed or. 3. Clarke, impaling argent, on a bend double cotifed fable five bezants.