History

On a pillar in the south transept of Westminster Abbey, opposite Chaucer's monument, is a white marble Baroque memorial, with a winged cherub head and an achievement of arms, to Dr Samuel Barton, clergyman of the Abbey. The coat of arms is "argent, three boars heads couped gules, langued and armed or" for Barton, impaling the arms of Trench and Cooke. The Latin inscripiton can be translated:

"Near this column lie the mortal remains of Samuel Barton D.D.Prebendary of this Collegiate Church. What he was, learn in a few words, a man of remarkable genius, learning, honesty and piety, and lastly in unfeigned love for his church and country. He died 18 of the Kalends of September [15 August] aged 68"

He was the son of the Revd. John Barton of Harrietsham in Kent and his wife Jane. Educated at Oxford as a poor scholar he became chaplain to the House of Commons and of St Saviour's church, Southwark before being appointed to the Abbey in 1697. His first wife was Sarah Trench. Their daughter Jane was born 21 October 1699 and was buried with her father on 16 December 1758. She married John Wowen, her cousin and son of Elizabeth Barton. He was a sugar refiner and was buried with her on 9 June 1760, aged 73. Their children were John and Jane (who married Paul Field) The gravestone inscription for them has now worn away. Samuel's second wife was Amy Cooke, nee Osborne.

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