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Becher Memorials – see also Becher Family History

There are three Memorial Tablets to members of the Becher family of Howbury Hall on the north wall of the Chancel.

This is the Memorial to Sir William Becher, situated to the right of the door into the Vestry.

An approximate translation of the Latin is as follows:

In especial hope of a joyful resurrection
near to this stone lies buried
WILLIAM BECHER
of HOWBURY in this village, Knight
Son of OLIVER BECHER, Esquire, and in addition grandson of
WILLIAM BECHER Knight and ELIZABETH his wife
who was the daughter of OLIVER Baron St John of Bletshoe
and sister of OLIVER first Earl of Bullingbroke
His wife was ELIZABETH (Widow of) THOMAS HILLERSDON
in the county of Middlesex, Esquire
By her he had children WILLIAM JOHN and GEORGE
and a daughter ELIZABETH of whom JOHN, deceased
by his example of outstanding piety and modesty of temperament
with gentle honesty of habit and generosity of character
surpassed even his father, himself pleasing God
and faithful to his King, country and people
He lived beloved by all, and died widely mourned
on the fifth day of December in his sixty-fifth year
in the year of our Lord 1694
In whose memory ELIZABETH
whom he left a most unhappy widow
as an enduring sign of her love
placed this monument

 

To the left of the door into the Vestry is the Memorial to Elizabeth Becher, the only daughter of Sir William, above

In hope of a resurrection to life immortal
Near this marble lies inter’d ye body
of Miss ELIZABETH BECHER only
Daughter of Sir Wm Becher late of Howbury Kt.
By his Lady ELIZABETH Relict of
THO HILLERSDON of ELSTOWE Efq.
Daughter of JOHN HUXLEY of EDMUNTON in
MIDDLESEX, Efq. She was a perfon of a
Mild and ferene temper, Prudent, Modeft,
Courteous and Obliging in her Conduct,
Converfation, conftant & devout in ye
exercifes of Piety, fervently obfervant
of duty to her parents, kind and
affectionate to all her relations
thus deck’d with ye Ornaments of
a meek & quiet fpirit she
Refigned her foul to God that
gave it on ye XV11th of April in
ye year MDCC1

 

The final Becher Memorial is further to the left of the Vestry door and is that of William Becher, husband of Elizabeth Clark. William was a descendant of Sir William above.

Under this monument lyes the Body of
Will” BECHER Efq
Son of WILLIAM BEECHER Efq
By his firft Wife Mary
Daughter of MATTHEW DENNIS
of KEMPSON
A man of Great humanity and Charity
and univerfal benevolence
He Lived much Efteemed
and died Lamented
by all who knew him
the day 12th June 1751
aged 54 years
This Monument was erected 1753
by his Sorrowful widow ELIZABETH
who was the daughter of JOHN CLARKE
IN THE County of Middlefex

18 members of the Becher Family are buried in the Mausoleum on the north side of the Church