Somerset Kerry & family

In St Margaret's church Westminster is a gravestone for Somerset Kerry and his family, Elizabeth and John Alford and Rebecca Moncreife and her son John Moncreife. This is at the south west corner of the church, now partly covered by the font. The inscription reads:

Here lyes the bodys of John and Somerset, sons of Somerset Kerry by Elizabeth his wife, and grand sons of John and Elizabeth Alford of this parish. John died Octob. ye 28th 1719 aged 18 days. Somerset dyed July the 6th 1722 aged 8 days. Also Somerset Kerry ye father who died October the 5th 1725 in the 29th year of his age. Likewise Elizabeth daughter of the said Somerset and Elizabeth Kerry who died the 18th of December 1725 aged 13 months. Also here lies Elizabeth the wife of John Alford who departed this life Novr. ye 8th 1728 aged 67 years. Here also lies the body of Mr John Alford who died the first of August 1739 in the 73rd year of his age. Here also lies the body of Mrs Rebecca Moncreife mother of Mr John Moncreife, who dyed the 15th of April 1743 aged 72. Here lies ye body of Mr John Moncreife the most loving and most dearly beloved husband of Elizabeth, the daughter of the said Mr John Alford, who died the 26th June 1748 aged 44

A wall monument to Rebecca and John is now hidden behind the organ. But this inscription reads:

In the same grave lies Mrs Rebecca Moncreife who died the 15th of April 1742 aged 72. As also her son Mr John Moncreife son in law to Mr John Alford who was universally lamented by all that knew him. He was clerk to ye late Lord Chief Baron Gilbert & to Mr Baron Carter successively to the time of their deaths. Both whom he served with the greatest fidelity and diligence. For soundness of judgment uprightness sweetness of temper & general benevolence to all mankind none ever exceeded him as all his acquaintance can testify. In his private life he was a dutifull son and nephew and to his wife, who lost in him the best of husbands, ye sincere friend & agreable companion and who in thirty years acquaintance never saw him out of temper, fourteen of which she was married to him and whose greife will always remaine for her great loss of so indulgent a husband while she is in this world. He died the 26th of June 1748 Old Stile in the 45th year of his age. This was erected in remembrance of so good a husband by Elizabeth Moncriefe his widow 1758

Also now hidden behind the organ is a wall monument to Elizabeth and John Alford:

Under this pew lies the body of Mrs Elizabeth Alford wife of Mr John Alford. She died the 8th of November 1728 aged 69. Here also lies the body of Mr John Alford who was almost fifty years a parishioner of this parish one who was just in all his dealings & whose word was ye same as his bond and who never broke a promise he made for no interest whatever. He was a sincere friend, a good husband and the most indulgent father to an only daughter that ever was born and endeared himself to her by making her a companion and friend even in her infancy without ever putting on ye severity of some parents & which she always acknowledged. He died the first of August 1739 aged 72. Here also lies Somerset Kerry, son in law to the above Mr John Alford. He died the 5th of October 1725 aged 29 and three grand children of Mr Alford, John, Somerset and Elizabeth Kerry who all died young. This was put up by Elizabeth Moncrieffe in a grateful remembrance of her dear parents 1758

Location

St Margaret's Church

Memorial Type

Grave; tablet

Somerset Kerry & family
Somerset Kerry grave near font, St Margaret's Church

This image can be purchased from Westminster Abbey Library

Image © 2024 Dean and Chapter of Westminster