History

Major General James Fleming is buried near the choir gate in Westminster Abbey. He has a large monument on the window ledge of the south nave aisle. This is by sculptor L.F.Roubiliac and it shows life size figures of Minerva and Hercules, binding the latter's club to a serpent and a mirror, thus forming a trophy composed of the elements of Valour, Wisdom and Prudence. At the sides are military trophies and standards and the pyramid at the back has branches of cypress and laurel at the sides. Near the top is a profile portrait medallion. The inscription reads:

"MAJOR GENERAL JAMES FLEMING Died March 17th MDCCI, aged 68".

His actual gravestone, near one to his great friend General Hargrave, was removed in 1834 when the nave floor was re-laid and is now just marked with his name and date. The original stone included his coat of arms "a chevron within a bordure fleury" and crest of a goat's head.

Very little seems to be known of his origins and early life. His brothers were Robert, William, John, Richard, Francis and Archibald and his sisters were Margaret (Bennett), Dorothy (Knott), Catherine (Guthrey) and Susanna (Phibbs). By 1706 he was a Captain and rose to be a Brigadier General by 1745. He was present at the battles of Culloden and Falkirk. He died unmarried at Bath in 1751.

Sir John Fleming

His nephew (son of his brother Robert and his wife Anne) was Sir John Fleming who is also buried in the nave of the Abbey, with a small marker. He died aged 61 on 5 November 1763 and his remains were re-buried in the Abbey on 21 February 1764 having been moved from South Audley chapel.. He had served as a Lieutenant under General Hargrave in Gibraltar in the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers. He was created a baronet in 1763 and his wife was Jane daughter of William Coleman whom he married in 1753. After his death Jane married Edwin Lascelles, Baron Harewood. She was buried in the nave on 19 April 1813 aged 82. Their children buried in the Abbey were Hargrave William Fleming died aged 8 in 1763, Catherine died 1767 aged 10, Margaret died 1769 aged 7, and Jane, Countess of Harrington who was buried in 1824 aged 69. Their other daughter Seymour Dorothy married Sir Richard Worsley. Sir John's titles became extinct on his death.

A photo of the monument can be purchased from Westminster Abbey Library.