On the west wall of St Margaret's church Westminster is an oval tablet to musician and organist James Nares who was buried nearby. The inscription reads:
Near this place lieth the body of James Nares, Doctor of Music. Many years organist and composer to their Majesties King George II and III and XXIII years Master of the Children of the Royal Chapels in which offices he acquitted himself with credit to his profession having also discharged the more important duties of husband, father, brother and friend with the greatest integrity. He died Feb. X, MDCCLXXXIII,[1783] aged 67 years
He was born on 19th April 1715, son of George Nares, and his brother Sir George became a judge. At the Chapel Royal he was a chorister under William Croft and Bernard Gates, then deputy organist at St George's chapel Windsor and at York cathedral. In 1756 he became Master of the Children of the Chapel Royal. His first wife was Jane Pease, and his second Jane Bacon and they had four children including Robert.
Further reading for James and his brother
Oxford Dictionary of National Biography 2004
Thomas Hardy [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
This image can be purchased from Westminster Abbey Library
Image © 2024 Dean and Chapter of Westminster
