Edward and Judith Cary

On the south wall of St Margaret's church Westminster is a memorial tablet to Judith Cary, which also mentions her father Edward. Below the tablet is a lozenge of arms "or, on a bend sable, three roses of the first". The inscription reads:

Mrs Judith Cary departed ys life of ye small pox March ye 11th 1714/5 in ye 23d year of her age and lies interr'd near ys place by her father ye Revd. Edward Cary of Clovelly in the county of Devon. Erected to her memory by her friend Dame Anne Chesshyre

The Reverend Edward Cary was a son of Dr George Cary (1611-1680), Dean of Exeter, and his wife Anne (Hancock). His brothers Sir George and William were both Members of Parliament. He was rector of Silverton and sub-dean of Exeter cathedral and died on 28th December 1694. He is called Carew in the register and it seems he was buried on the south side of the chancel. Judith was buried with him. She was not married and Mrs on the inscription stands for Mistress and according to her will she lived in Drury Lane. The year of her death was what we now call 1715 due to the change in the calendar.

Further reading

The Cary family lived for many years at Clovelly Court and have memorials in the village church.

Dr George Cary's monument is in Exeter Cathedral.

Judith's will is at The National Archives, Kew, Surrey.

For Sir George and William see The History of Parliament.