THE CHURCH
In the 8th century, Eagwulfincham, was one of four royal villages, given to the St Cuthbert’s community on Lindisfarne by the Northumbrian King Ceolwulf after he joined them to became a monk. When Holy Island was abandoned in the 9th century, the monastic land and church at Eglingham was briefly held by Durham, but then granted to the new priory of Tynemouth, which was a cell of the Abbey at St Albans. After the dissolution of the monasteries in the 16th century, the church at Eglingham reverted again to Durham.
An earlier simply constructed building, was replaced by a stone church in the 12th century, with the tower added in the mid-13th century. First sacked by raiding Scots in 1596/7, the church was virtually destroyed in 1640, during Cromwell’s time, at the hands of General Sir Alexander Leslie’s army of the Covenanters who supported the Presbyterian church of Scotland. The imposing tower was the only part of the building which survived intact. The damage was repaired and the church reconstructed later in the 17th century.
Victorians made further changes, lowering the nave roof, adding a porch and steeple as well as replacing the windows. John Green, a Newcastle architect whose firm designed the Theatre Royal, was criticised for turning St Maurice’s, ‘a valuable post-medieval building into a sham one’. More sensitive alterations were made in later Victorian times by F.R.Wilson of Alnwick, who had previously worked on the Houses of Parliament.
From 1842 to 1980, eleven Vicars of Eglingham were also Archdeacons of Lindisfarne. There is more to discover in the Lindisfarne Legacy exhibition in St Maurice’s Ogle Chapel.
St Maurice
Maurice was a Christian officer in the Roman army. Of North African origin, he was martyred in the 3rd century for refusing to kill other Christians. Mostly remembered as the patron saint of soldiers, St Maurice is a popular church dedication in Europe and America, but rare in England. There is no image of St Maurice in Eglingham, but at the church at nearby Ellingham, which is also dedicated to this saint, there is a memorial window showing him, as he is traditionally depicted, in full amour. His feast day is 22 September.
GOD’S ACRE
There has been a Christian burial place in Eglingham for more than a thousand years. The surviving gravestones are historical treasures which reveal much about the cultural heritage of this community, and their inscriptions can provide a fascinating insight into past lives. On the south side of the tower, the table top memorial belonging to the Storey family of Beanley records many generations and over 100 years of their family’s history. Other gravestones tell tragic tales of infant mortality, but also positive stories of longevity and faithful service in the parish.
In the Medieval times, the churchyard was used for bustling fairs and noisy markets which were an important source of income for the priest. Those in the parish with power and influence had the privilege of being buried under the church floor and in family vaults. Medieval stone grave slabs were often repurposed for later building work, and some may have been used as foundationstones for St Maurice’s mid-13th century tower. In contrast, the poor were buried in unmarked graves covered in a simple shroud with no coffin, and it was common for graves to be reused. In a practice which continues today, bodies were laid on their back with the head facing east. The exception was for priests who were buried facing west so they would rise in front of their congregation at the second coming of Christ.
It was only in the 18th century that rows of grave markers as we know them today became commonplace. However, in this rural community, it was still only those with some wealth who could afford a permanent reminder of their affluence. Of the 1,000 burials in the 18th century at St Maurice’s, only 40 remain marked with a gravestone. These burials were all on the southside of the church as people believed the northside was associated with darkness and the devil. Carved locally in sandstone, each one is a creative original. The earliest, dated 1717, is a small, simply carved, stone in memory of James Young.Amongst these old stones are some fine examples of “Memento Mori” symbolism – stark reminders of the transience of life and the inevitability of death.
By the 19th century, local carvers had given way to monumental masons.There are more than 50 headstones from Alnwick masons, Daniel McMillan. Victorian fashion also demanded larger stones in architectural revival styles. Chosen from classical pattern books, there are fine examples in the western section of the churchyard erected by the families of theArchdeacons of Lindisfarne, and the principal landowners: the Collingwoods and Carr-Ellisons.
Since the 20th century, additional diocesan rules mean that more recent mass-produced stones (mostly in the 1927 eastern extension) are smaller and tend to give little away about the people who lie beneath. However, there are a few exceptions of stones collected from the moors or specially designed by the family, which reflect more individual stories.Now,there are fewer burials as nationally 80% of bodies are cremated. St Maurice’s Remembrance Garden was created in the 1980s.
For more information go to www.eglingham.info/introduction-Community History Project
Carolyn Brewster 2024
Search the Headstone Transcriptions of Other Kirk/Church Yards directory:
Search for:There are no Boer War entries for this memorial.
There are no Boer War entries for this memorial.
There are no Boer War entries for this memorial.
There are no Boer War entries for this memorial.
In Affectionate Remembrance of
JOHN ROUGH who died at the Hermitage November 18th 1878 aged 67 years. Also, ISABELLA, his wife died April 6. 1891, aged 80 years. JOHN their son died Jan. 18. 1891, aged 48 years. ROSANNAH their Granddaughter, died March 2. 1881, aged 4 years.
D.Mc millan. sc. Alnwick [Mason’s name on right panel of plinth]
In Loving Memory of ANNIE ROUGH, the beloved wife of GEORGE OLIVER, who died Aug. 20. 1913,
aged 57 years. Also the above GEORGE OLIVER who died Dec. 31. 1935, in his 86th year. Also of ALFRED, their son who died April 11. 1932, aged 45 years.
T.Watson & son [Mason’s name on front of plinth]
Rough/Oliver
[Plain cross mounted on pedestal of three stepped stones.
Metal lettering used for inscription]
In Memory of JOHN HALL born Dec 13. 1808, died Feb 2. 1886.
[Inscription on front of top stone]
For 52 years the faithful servant and valued friend of J.C. LANGLANDS at Old Bewick.
[Inscription on front of middle stone]
MARY his wife born Dec 6. 1799 died feb 27. 1888.
[Inscription on front of bottom stone]
In Memory of JOHN CARR of West Ditchburn Born Septr 6th 1757, died April 8th 1836. buried in the Chancel of Lesbury Church. ANN his wife, born Feby 28th 1778, died March 19th 1856. JOHN FRANCIS their eldest son, born feby 4th 1803 died decr 21st 1859. MICHAEL, their fourth son, born april 16th 1810 died Nov 7th 1853. Also of MARIA, born Novr 23rd 1821 died Octr 31st 1887. ANN born june 18th 1804, died march 22nd 1889. ELIZABETH, born august 24th 1812, died August 3rd 1894, daughters of the above JOHN & ANN CARR.
[Italics for fourth line correct]
Erected by their three daughters.
[Inscription at bottom of headstone]
“Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God.” [Inscription on front of plinth]
1
In Memory of JOHN son of WILLIAM & ELEANOR CLOUGH who died at Bewick Folly, May 25th 1857 aged 12 years & 7 months. Also of ADAM their son who died March 16th 1866 aged 26 years. Also of the above WILLIAM CLOUGH who died March 28th 1875 aged 68 years. Also of ELEANOR, his wife who died June ?th 1880 aged ?
[Last part of inscription unreadable because surface stone is missing.]
In Memory of WILLIAM MORTON who departed this life at Eglingham Mill, January 28th 1863, aged 61 years.
Erected in Memory of
[Intertwined letters in quatrefoil – ihs]
ANN, daughter of JOHN and SARAH GRAY. born 6thJuly 1850, died 17thMay 1853, Also of the above JOHN GRAY, born Jany 7th 1821, died Feby 20th 1889, Also of SARAH GRAY, his wife borAug. 7. 1816, died may 7 1892
ADELAIDE MARY COLLINGWOOD younger daughter of EDWARD JOHN COLLINGWOOD of Lilburn Tower born 26 Nov. 1852 died 3 Apl 1936.
[Thick coating of white lichen makes reading difficult.]
[Large ledger]
Beneath this Stone lies the Body of EDWARD THOMAS BIGGE M.A. fourth Son of CHARLES WILLIAM BIGGE, esq. of LINDEN, first Archdeacon of LINDISFARNE, Also Formerly fellow of Merton Coll. Oxford. He was born Oct. 19 1807, He died in this Parish April 3 1811.
Inscription as it appears on ledger.
Wall plaque in church gives date of death as 1844 not 1811. Sheila Ford burial records give date of death 10 April 1844, aged 38.]
Bigge
In Memoryof EDWARD JOHN COLLINGWOOD, of Lilburn Tower Northumberland, born December 20. 1843, diedMarch 7. 1903. After long and patient suffering.
On the resurrection morning Soul and body meet again, No more sorrow, no more weeping, No more pain.
For awhile the wearied body Lies with feet towards the dawn, Till the last and brightest Easter Day be born.
Soul and body reunited Thenceforth nothing shall divide, Waking up in Christ’s own likeness, Satisfied.
And of his sister ANNA ELIZABETH COLLINGWOOD, born Feb. 4. 1851, died Nov. 14. 1928.
D.Mcmillan & co. [Mason’s name on left panel of plinth]
Sacred to the memory of GEORGE ANDERSON of Eglingham. who died, Jenuary [sic] 12th 1853, aged 44 years. MARY TATE. Mother in law to the above died, decr the 31st 1853; aged 79 years. GEORGE N. ANDERSON, son of the above who died March 5th 1867, aged 29 years. Also JANE DOROTHY wife of the above who died january 15th 1874, in her 68th year.
[Inscription as it appears on headstone]
[Plain cross mounted on pedestal of two stepped stones, on plinth] IHS [Inscribed on the cross]
Sacred to the memory of ANNA the beloved wife of EDWARD JOHN COLLINGWOOD of Lilburn Towerin this parish, esq.r who died February 9th 1879, Aged 63 Years, Also of ANNA, their daughter who died in infancy June 28th 1845.
[Inscription on front of top stone]
Also the above EDWARD JOHN COLLINGWOOD who died February 20th 1895, aged 80 years.
“i know that my redeemer liveth.”
[Inscription on front of bottom stone]
D.Mcmillan sc. [Mason’s name on front of plinth]
Sacred to the memory of THOMAS BURN, of Eglingham. who departed this life March 17th 1860, aged 74 years. A kind Husband, an affectionate Father, and man of Peace. He lived respected and died lamented. ELIZABETH, wife of the above, died March 21st 1869, aged 74 years. ROGER, son of the above died November 11th 1871, aged 43 years; and was interred in Queenstown Cemetery,New Zealand. JOHN son of the above, died at Invercargill, New Zealand octr 18th 1879, aged 44 years.CATHERINE CONNOR, sister of the above died Octr 4th 1884, aged 78 years. MARTHA WARD, wife of EDWARD BURN died Nov. 26. 1891, aged 51 years. WILLIAM, son of the above died may 18. 1894, aged 72 years. MARY, his wife died March 26. 1900, aged 73 years. The above EDWARD BURN died Feb. 18. 1924 aged 85 years. JANE ANN BURN died may 17. 1938, aged 86 years.
[Inscription as it appears on front of headstone.]
ELIZABETH daughter of WILLIAM and MARY BURN, died November 29th 1852, aged 3 months. GEORGE their son diedApril 17th 1857 aged 6 years. THOMAS their son died at Alnwick April 11. 1891 aged 34 years
[Inscription on back of headstone. Surface stone missing in places]
M. Potts, Newcastle-on-Tyne. [Mason’s name on front of plinth]
[Obelisk mounted on stone plinth]
Sacred to the memory of THOMAS BURN son of ANDREW & MARGARET MIDDLEMISS who died 6th May 1863, aged 5 years, Also of ROGER JOHN, their son who died 10th may 1863, aged 3 years. Also of EDWARD BURN, their son who died 10th Sept.r 1877,aged 11 years and 11 months. Also of the above ANDREW MIDDLEMISS who died at Glanton 25th Jany 1888 aged 56 years. Also MARGARET his wife died Oct. 29 1891 aged 57 years.
[Inscription is on obelisk. Section of surface stone completely missing]
[Obelisk mounted on stone plinth. High-relief cross carved near top]
In Memory of THOMAS MOFFATT ENGINEER. who died at Lilburn Cottage on the 31st day of August 1845, Aged 24 years, And CHARLES WILLIAM INNES MOFFATT M.D who died at Cape Coast Castle, AFRICA. on the 28th day of June 1858 Aged 30 Years. Eldest and Third Sons of CHARLES MOFFATT and AGNES GRAY, Lilburn Cottage.
[Inscription on obelisk, with thick moss and lichen at bottom]
aged 57 years. [Inscription is on obelisk. Section of surface stone completely missing]
[Ringed cross mounted on two-stepped pedestal on plinth]
In loving memory of GEORGE HANS HAMILTON, Archdeaconof Northumberland, and Canon of Durham,bornJanuary 21. 1823, died September 23. 1905.
“For I know whom I havebelieved and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day”.
D.Mc millan & Co. [Mason’s name on right panel of plinth.
Thick coating of lichen and moss]
[Small, plain cross mounted on two-stepped base on an undressed stone]
SACRED to the MEMORY of ARABELLA SARAH beloved wife of the Venble GEORGE HANS HAMILTON who died on the 13th day of January 1868 aged 44 years.
“blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see god”.
[Inscription on metal plaque attached to base of cross]
In Loving Memory of ANN wife of ADAM ROUGH who died at Beanley dec. 3. 1901, aged 52 years.
D.Mc millan & co. [Inscription in metal lettering]
Headstone with its top shaped in ringed cross]
In Loving Memory of CHRISTIANA daughter of LANCELOT & ELIZH GRAY who died octr 24th 1876, Aged 7 Years. Also MARGARET, their daughter who died at Whitley Novr 4th 1885 aged 18 Years. Only and beloved daughters of the above.
D.Mc millan. sc. [Mason’s name on right panel of plinth]
In Loving Memory of ROBERT FAWCUS BARBER who died at Hedegley Dec. 17 1881, aged 62 years. Also THOMAS infant son of the above ROBERT and SARAH BARBER who died April 21st 1876, aged 15 months and SARAH JANE BARBER, wife of the above, who died in London Jany 23rd 1912, aged 78 years.
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