Memorials | Stpetersonthehill

Church Memorials

There are many memorials, both marble and brass, on the walls of our Church on the ground and first floor. The following photographs were taken by Andreas F. Borchert in August 2022.

Use the gallery below to find details about memorials M01-M35.

A link is also provided to download a higher resolution version from the photographer - Andreas F. Borchert.

The nine Robinson brasses were moved in 1909 to St Peter's from the church (now ruined) on the Robinson estate at Marlay. Here we mention the coats of arms and denote the presence of a crest and motto on the brasses by the superscribed letters 'c' and 'm' respectively. The tenth Robinson brass is beneath the Robinson stone (shown on M30) that was also moved to St Peter's from Rokeby Hall. The Robinson motto on the brasses is 'Sola in Deo Salus'. The Montgomery brasses were also moved from Marlay.

M01

Monument in memory of Rt Hon. Henry Singleton, Chief Justice of the Common Pleas for Ireland, sculpted in 1787 by John Hickey. (See Christine Casey and Alistair Rowan, North Leinster, pp. 237–238; Rita Larkin, Hickey, John. In: Sculpture 1600–2000, Art and Architecture of Ireland Volume III, pp. 167–169.)

Inscription:

To the Memory
OF THE
Rt Hon. HENRY SINGLETON,
Who was choſen in early Life,
Recorder of Drogheda
And it's Repreſentative in Parliament.
Eminently qualified
To ſuſtain the Dignity of the Profeſſion, he was ſucceſſively appointed
PRIME SERJEANT and LORD CHIEF JUSTICE of the COMMON PLEAS,
And a MEMBER of the Most honourable the PRIVY COUNCIL,
Which high & important Duties he diſcharged with diſtinguiſhed
WISDOM and INTEGRITY;
And finally evinced a noble Spirit of Moderation,
By retiring from Office without increaſing the Burdens of his Country
He was afterwards ſolicited to accept
THE
MASTERSHIP of the ROLLS;
And in that exalted Station he departed this tranſitory Life.
AD 1760. Æ 73.
The Excellence of his publick Character was happily ſupported by an ardent
ZEAL for RELIGION
And by the extenſive Benevolence of his private Life.
In grateful Eſteem to his Memory, his Nephew
SYDENHAM SINGLETON, Eſqr.
Cauſed this Monument to be Erected.

M02

Monument in memory of Francis Leigh Esq.r, member of the Parliament of Ireland for Drogheda, his wife Ann Leigh and their daughter Susanna Maria. This monument is located at the south wall of the chancel.

Inscription:
Sacred to the Memory of
FRANCIS LEIGH ESQ.r
and of ANN LEIGH, otherwise BINGHAM his Wife;
and of SUSANNA MARIA, their second Daughter;
Whoes Bodies are deposited in the adjoining Church_
_Yard, waiting a Resurrection to eternal Life,
thro' the blessed Hope given to all who believe
and trust in Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ;
for by their Obedience thro' Life, they testified their Faith;
and by their calmness and serenity in Death,
their unshaken Trust and Hope in Him who is
The Resurrection and the Life.
Probity, Benevolence and Piety were the distnguishing
characteristics both of Parents and Daughter, and their
Names will excite Respect, and Veneration, whilst
any Survive who recollect with what Truth and
Justice those Virtues are ascribed to them.

FRANCIS LEIGH
represented this Town in Parliament for upwards
Thirty successive Years, and departed this Life
the 2nd of December 1778 in his 72nd Year.
ANNE, his wife October 21st 1773, aged 64 Years,
and SUSANNA MARIA their Daughter
the 18th Feb.ry 1779, in her 33.d Year.
The Righteous shall be had in
everlasting Remembrance.

M03

Monument in memory of Revd John Magee, vicar of St. Peter's. He was son of William Magee, archbishop of Dublin, and father of William Connor Magee, archbishop of York. The bust was sculpted by John Smyth (1776–1840) in 1837, the rest of the monument by M. and P. Harris, sculptors in Dublin at 152 Great Brunswick Street (later Pearse Street). (See Rita Larkin, Smyth, John. Sculpture 1600–2000, Art and Architecture of Ireland, vol. III, pp. 324–325; Paula Murphy, Ecclesiastical Sculpture. Sculpture 1600–2000, Art and Architecture of Ireland, vol. III, pp. 432–438, here p. 434 about M. and P. Harris; entries in the Dictionary of National Biography for William Magee and William Connor Magee.) This monument is located at the south wall of the chancel.

Inscription:
TO THE MEMORY
of the REVD JOHN MAGEE. A. M. Late vicar of St Peters Drogheda,
who, for a period of nearly eight years
as a faithful and devoted servant of CHRIST.
Preached, in this church,
with uncompromising boldness and unwearied zeal,
the glad tidings of full and free salvation to lost sinners,
flowing from GODS electing love through faith in CHRIST JESUS,
“in Whom we have Redemption through his blood,”
”the forgiveness of sins according to the riches of”
“HIS GRACE”
and, “Having fought a good fight, having finished his course and”
kept the faith.” Fell asleep in CHRIST, June 13th 1837,
in the 45th year of his age,
this MONUMENT is erected, by his attached FLOCK,
in testimony
of their affection to his person,
esteem for his character,
and admiration of
his talents,
and in grateful acknowledgement, to ALMIGHTY GOD,
of the spiritual benefit which they experienced under
HIS MINISTRY.

M04

Monument in memory of John Ball Esq., twice elected to Irish House of Commons for the Drogheda constituency (sworn in 1796 as successor of John Forbes and reelected in 1799). Sculpted by John Smyth (1776–1840) in 1837. (See Rita Larkin, Smyth, John. Sculpture 1600–2000, Art and Architecture of Ireland, vol. III, pp. 324–325; Christine Casey and Alistair Rowan, North Leinster, pp. 237–238; Louth Members of the Irish Parliament. Journal of the County Louth Archaeological Society, vol. 4, no. 4, 1919, pp. 375–86, JSTOR 27729240.)

This monument is located in the south-east corner of the chancel. Blazon of the coat of arms: Sable on a chevron or between three ‘griffins’ heads erased argent langued gules beaked of the second three martlets of the field all within a bordure gobony of the first and third. Crest: A griffin's head erased as in the arms. Motto: Totus teres atque rotundus. (See Bernard Burke, The general armory of England, Scotland, Ireland, and Wales, p. 44, and article by Séamus Bellew below. Note that the motto given by Burke differs from that on this monument.)

Inscription:
MEMORIAE SACRUM
JOHANNIS BALL ARMIGERI, AD LEGEM SERVIENTIS,
QUI IN HOC MUNICIPIO NATUS
ET IBIDEM LITERARUM ELEMENTIS INSTITUTUS,
ACADEMICÂ DEINDE DISCIPLINÂ MUNITUS,
IN FORUM TANDEM PRODIVIT
JURIS CONSULTUS, PROFECTO NULLI SECUNDUS;
ORATOR INSUPER ERUDITUS ET DISERTUS;
IDEMQUE MODESTIÂ SINGULARI, FIDE INCORRUPTÂ,
MORUM PROBITATE SPECTATISSIMUS.
HUNC, NON VIRI PRINCIPES AUXERUNT;
NON DE REBUS POLITICIS CERTANTES
UT IN PARTES SUAS TRAHERENT
PRAEMIIS VEL HONORIBUS DECORÂRUNT;
SED IPSE SIBI AUSUS CONFIDERE,
SUÂ VIRTUTE, SUOQUE INGENIO, NOMEN ASSECUTUS EST.
BIS IN SENATUM LECTUS A CIVIBUS
QUIBUSCUM A PARVULO CONJUNCTISSIME VIXERAT;
HOC TANTO ITA FUNCTUS EST MUNERE,
UT INTER OMNES CONSTARET,
REIPUBLICAE SALUTEM
SUIS SUORUMQUE COMMODIS EUM PRAETULISSE.
HOC MARMOR
A PRIMORIBUS CIVITATIS POSITUM,
INSIGNI OMNIUM CONSENSU,
QUÂ PIETATE VIVUM COLUERUNT,
QUO DESIDERIO PROSEQUUNTUR MORTUUM,
HEU! QUAM INANI SIT TESTIMONIO.
MORTEM OBIIT A.D. MDCCCXIII AETATIS LIX
CHRISTO DENIQUE SERVATORE SUO FRETUS,
IN MISERICORDIAM DEI OPTIMI MAXIMI CONFUGIT.

M.S. I Iuxta depositae sunt exuvice I Ellisij Walker STP. I qui Pontanae per septennium publicae scholoe praefuit. I Operam suam iuventuti I studijs inftituendae feliciter impendens. I Puerorum indolem indagando et exercendo I scientifsimus. I Ingenuos sine paena. Pauperculos sine pretio erudiebat. I Probitatem diligentiam, modeftiam. I (Virtutes, quae vitam vere honeftant et suae erant) I In filiofis sedulo promovit. I Multum de literis, nee minus de moribus sollicitus. I Si quid fida adolescentium eruditio I ad bonos mores & publicos conducat, I huic plurimum debet civitas et ecclesia. I Quotidiano labore fractus. succubuit. I Obijt die 17mo Ap. An°. Sal: 1701 aetatis suae 40m0. I Unus ex dicipulis iilius I pro singulari erga praeceptorem suum affectu I hoc monumentum posuit ann° 1721

Nearby are deposited the remains of Ellis Walker who was principal of Drogheda Grammar School for seven years (1687-94). His youthful studies were the most appropriate preparation for his work. He was most learned in engaging and exercising the idleness of the young. Without any cost, he educated the minds of the poor little ones. He was careful to promote righteous-ness, diligence and modesty in his pupils (virtues truly present in his own honest life). He had many literary interests as well as moral ones. The learning and faith of the young was inculcat-ed leading to their good and moral conduct. This town and church owes him much, for worn out by his daily labours, he died on the 17th day of April 1701 at the age of 40. One of his pupils, affected by such a singular teacher, erected this monument in 1721.

Monument in memory of Henry Ogle Esq, his wife Catherine, and their son John Ogle Esq. Erected by William Meade Ogle Esq in 1778 and located east-most at the south wall of the gallery.

Inscription:
The Remains
of Henry Ogle Eſq.r
Catherine his Wife
and
John Ogle Eſq.r
their Son
Lie Underneath Interr.d
in Remembrance of Whom
William Meade Ogle Eſq.r
The only Surviving Brother of John
Hath Cauſed this Stone
to be Inſcribd
Anno 1778

Monument in memory of William Godley, D.D., prebendary of Mullabrack in County Armagh. The monument is located at the south wall of the gallery and was erected by his eldest son John Godley (whose monument neighbors to the right).

Inscription:
P.M.S.

Reverendi Gulielmi Godley.D.D.
Prebendarii Mullabrach, in Commitatu Armachano;
Qui, per vitam longam,
Omnia vitæ officia
eximie præstitit.
Bonus et fidelis Minister Dei.
In verbis Fides, in Colloquiis Suavitas,
Tanta in Erratis Aliorum ignoscendis Humanitas,
Ut etiam in iis, quibus maxime adversabatur,
Quæsivit semper quod laudaret.

Talis cum eſset,
Quot Sibi Cognitos,
Tot sui amantes, tot prope amicos habuit,
Inimicum certe Neminem.
Natus A.D. 1700
Obiit A.D. 1779
Filius Ejus, Natu maximus, Iohannes Godley Armiger
hoc, qualecunque,
Desiderii et Pietatis
Testimonium posuit.

The Reverend William Godley. D.D.
Prebendary of Mullabrach, in the County of Armagh;
Who, during a long life,
Performed all the offices of life
with excellence.
A good and faithful Minister of God.
In words, Faith, in conversations,
So much humanity in forgiving the errors of others,
That even in those whom he most opposed,
He always sought to praise.

Such being he,
As many acquaintances,
So many lovers, so many close friends he had,
Certainly no enemy.
Born A.D. 1700
Died A.D. 1779
His son, the eldest son, John Godley, Esquire
This, whatever,
Of his desire and piety
He laid down.

Monument in memory of John Godley Esqr, eldest son of William Godley, D.D., whose monument neighbors to the left.

Inscription:
SACRED to the Memory of JOHN GODLEY Eſqr,
whoſe Remains lie interred in this Church Yard,
beſide thoſe of his FATHER
the Rev,d WILLIAM GODLEY. D.D.

That the name of a Man remarkable
during a long courſe of Years,
both in publick and in private life,
for independence of mind, integrity of heart
and purity of Conduct, may ſtill live
in the recollection of his fellow Citizens of DROGHEDA.
This humble memorial has been erected
by an affectionate SON;
grafeful for having been bleſt with,
and lamenting the loſs of, ſo excellent a Parent.

He died on the fifth day of Auguſt 1806.
in the Seventy fifth Year of his Age.

Monument in memory of Frederick York Shegog Esqr, M.D., who served as surgeon in the 88th Regiment during the Crimean War and fell victim to the cholera near Varna, Bulgaria, on 27 August 1854. The inscription cites William Howard Russell who worked as war correspondent for The Times. The monument is located at west-most position at the south wall of the gallery. The monument is signed Manderson Dublin. These were father William Manderson (1781–1854) and his son Willam Richard Manderson (1805–1876) who worked as monument makers at 172 and 174 Great Brunswick Street, Dublin. (See speel.me.uk by Bob Speel.)

Inscription:
To the memory of
FREDERICK YORK SHEGOG ESQR
M.D. 88th Regiment,
youngest son of
RICHARD SHEGOG ESQR
formerly of Drogheda deceased.
He fell a victim to cholera near Varna
in Turkey
on the 27th day of August 1854
in the 31st year of his age
while serving with his regiment in Bulgaria
during the Russian War.
Times Correspondent, Varna, August 29th.
“The cholera still hangs around us.
On Sunday night, Mr Shegog, surgeon of the 88th Regiment,
was seized with it, and expired in a few hours,
to the profound regret of every man in the regiment.
His exertions when the epidemic had been racing were of
the most extraordinary kind.
He was by the beds of his patients night and day,
and by his care, and skill, and kindness, he saved many a life.
Mild, unassuming, indefatigable, and amiable,
he added to nobleness of heart, great decision and energy.
His remains were interred yesterday;
they were followed to the grave by the regiment
officers, men, and women.”

M10

Monument in memory of Lieutenant Colonel William Fairtlough (1782–1860) who served in the 27th Inniskilling Regiment in Egypt and later in the 28th Regiment. The monument is located left of the pipe organ at the west wall of the nave. Inscription:
In memory of
LIEUTT COLONEL FAIRTLOUGH late of H.M.28th Regt
who commenced his military career
with the 27th Inniskilling Regt in Egypt
and for many years served with local fidelity
on the staff in the Mediteranean
to the satisfaction of his various general officers.
In private life
he was characterised by his unaffected respect for religion,
his high sens of honor his scrupulous honesty of purpose,
his unswerving adherence to the claims of justice,
his unostentatious charity and the more amiable qualities
which secured the attachment of his friends
and the love of his own family in testimony of feelings too deep for language to express
his children have erected this tablet to his memory.
—————
LT COL WM FAIRTLOUGH was born
on the 5th of November 1782 died 1st July 1860
and his remains are interred in the family burying place
in front of this sacred edifice.

M11

Monument in memory of Mary Hannah, wife of George Smith Esq.re, and their children George and Emily, who lost their lifes when the steam vessel Manchester was wrecked on 16 June 1844 on a sandbank close to Cuxhaven.

Inscription:
Sacred to the memory
of
MARY HANNAH
the beloved wife of S.t George Smith Esq.re
Of Green Hills County of Louth
Also of
S.T GEORGE, AND EMILY,
children of the above.
They were lost near Cuxhaven, in the Manchester
steam vessel, bound from Hull to Hambro'
on the 16th of June 1844, on which eventful
night, every individual on board perished their
spirits returned to him who gave
them and their mortal remains are interred
in a vault near this place.

Thy way is in the sea, and thy path in the great waters,
and thy footsteps are not known. Psalm lxxvii, 19.
”Be ye also ready for in such an hour as ye think not
the Son of Man cometh.” Matthew xxiv, 44.

M12

Monument in memory of William Hyde, captain in the 72nd Highland Regiment.

Inscription:
Sacred to the memory of
WILLIAM HYDE,
late captain in the 72.nd (Highland) Regt
whose soul was required of him by his god
on the night of the 10th of May 1829,
after he has received the sacrament of the Lord's supper
in this church
on the preceding day.
He was the third son of
John Hyde Esq.re
of Montagu Square, London;
and died deeply regretted by his family
his friends and his brother officers
in the 28th year of his age.

The suddenness with which he was called to
meet his god from a state of health and from
the fulness of earthly happiness, may warn
the youngest and the strongest not to boast
themselves of tomorrow, whilst the act of
piety which marked the last day of his life may
teach them the manner in which they should
Always be prepared for the coming of their Lord.

M13

Monument in memory of Jane Louisa Jebb, wife of Richard Jebb.

Inscription:
In Memory of
JANE LOUISA JEBB
Wife of Richard Jebb, a Judge of the Court of King's Bench,
and Daughter of John Finlay Esq.r of Corkagh in the County of Dublin.
Exemplary in the discharge of every
relative and social Duty,
sincere, prudent and disinterested,
She united masculine strength of Mind,
with a truly feminine Delicacy, and tenderness of Heart.
Simple in her tastes and sober in her wishes,
She was a practical testimony, that
Moderation is the true source of enjoyment.
Her Religion was suited to her Character,
Earnest, rational, deep:
It was noiselessly cultivated in her Closet,
and unostentatiously manifested only in it's Fruits.
During a protracted and hopeless Malady it sustained her,
not merely with Resignation,
but with Chearfulness;
and as her latter end drew near,
She was more and more detached from that World,
above the Vanities of which
She had habitually lived.
Born in February 1777.
Married 22.d January 1802.
Died 8.th November 1823.
This last tribute of Affection and Gratitude
To his most beloved and lamented Wife,
Is offered by her Husband.

M14

Monument in memory of Richard Jebb, judge at the court of King's Bench in Ireland.

Inscription:
Sacred to the memory of
RICHARD JEBB
for nearly sixteen years one of the Juges of the
Court of King's Bench in Ireland:
A man
whose generous simplicity of heart,
whose depth and soundness of understanding,
and whose unswerving integrity
of purpose and of act,
were manifested in the course of a learned,
laborious, and pious life.
In the practice of every social virtue,
in the diligent administration of his country's laws.
And in the consistent profession of that pure faith.
Under the influence of which he lived and died.
He was born at Drogheda, July 3.rd 1766:
He died at Rostrevor, August 27.th1834.
————
This monument is erected by his sons.

M15

Monument in memory of Tobias Pullein D.D., Bishop of Cloyne. (See Christine Casey and Alistair Rowan, North Leinster, pp. 237–238.) This monument is located at the eastern end of the north gallery. Below are the arms of Dromore and Pullein: Dexter: Argent semée of trefoils slipped vert, a cross pattée gules on a chief azure the sun proper. Sinister: Azure, on a bend argent between three lozenges or, three escallops sable. (See blog posting by Seamus Bellew.)

Inscription:
TOBIAS PULLEIN D.D.
Lies buryed in this Church yd under ye East window in ye south side
He was sometime Senior Fellow of T.C.D. Vicar of this Parish &
Dean of Ferns afterwards Bishop of Cloune & last of Dromore
He was an able and Faithfull Minister of Christ and was honour
ed and beloved in every station, He dyed January the 22d AD 1712
aged 64 years.
The memory of ye just is blessed Prov:10.C.7V.

M16

Roll of Honour:

Parish of St Peter and Ballymakenny, the names of those connected with the church who volunteered for active service in the Great War 1914-18.

Aldhouse, F.H., C.F. (chaplain to the Forces); Austin, N.A., Canadians (a general abbreviation used for all the Canadian regiments); Beckerson, W.T., C.F.; Cairnes, T.A.E., 7th D.G. (Dragoon Guards); Cairnes, F.H., 6th
I.D. (Inniskilling Dragoons); +Cairnes, WJ., R.A.F. (Royal Air Force); +Carroll, F.S., R. Innis. F. (Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers); +Chambers, E., Canadians; Colbourne, F.G., R.I. Regt (Royal Irish Regiment); Cooke, R.H. de B., A.S.C. (Royal Army Service Corps); Cooke, S., S.I.H. (South Irish Horse); Cooke, H., S.A.H. (South African Horse); Cooke,J.A., R.I.F. (Royal Irish Fusiliers); Creaser, G., R.F.A. (Royal Field Artillery); Creaser, T., R.N. (Royal Navy); Daly, H., RF.A.; Daly, 0., Intelligence; +Davis, R.C., Mchstr R. (Manchester Regiment); Ellis, C., R.I.R. (Royal Irish Rifles); Ellis, H., R.N.; Frazer, G., R.A.M.C. (Royal Army Medical Corps); Gilbert, A., R.I.R.; +Gilbert, E., Canadians; Goodfellow, W., R.N.; +Gray, G., R. Innis. F.; Gray, R., R.F.C. (Royal Flying Corps); Gray, C., R.I.R.; Gray, F.V., R.I.R., +Grayson, J.H., R.I. Regt.; Grayson, E., V.A.D. (Voluntary Aid Detachment); Greene, A., 6th I.D.; +Hammick, C.F. St V., R.F.C.; Haines, P.A., C. Rgrs. (Connaught Rangers); Hipwell, R.S., C.F.; Hill, M.K., V.A.D.; Huber, J.G., R.H. (Royal Highlanders also known as the Black Watch); Jackson, W., R.F.A.; Jordan,]., R.D.F. (Royal Dublin Fusiliers); Jordan, V.R., R.N.; Kelly, R., R.D.F.; Kelly. C., R.I.R.; Knox, A.E., R.E. (Royal Engineers); Leland, F., A.S.C.; Leland, T.L., R.Wr.R. (Royal Worcester Regiment); +Le Peton, C., R.I.F.; Lougheed, J.C., R.I.R.; Lougheed, W., R.E.; Magee, J., I.G. (Irish Guards); Malley, H, Leinster R. (Leinster Regiment);
+Monk, W., R. Innis. F.; Monk,]., R.I.R.; Murdock, W., L. & B.H. (Lothian Border Horse); Murdoch,
F.V., O.T.C. (Officers Training Corps); McConnell, A., R.I.R.; McConnell, W., R.I.R.; McKelvie, R., R.N.; Nelson, W., I.G.; Nelson, T., R.E.; Parr, W.H., R.N.V.R. (Royal Navy Volunteer Reserve); Parr,
W.B., R.N.V.R.; Porter, G.A., R.Innis.F.; Porter, W.D., R.Innis.F.; Porter, S., W.R.A.F. (Women's Royal Air Force); Rea, G., Leinster R.; Rea B., Leinster R.; Rea, H., Leinster R.; Rea]., Leinster R.; Royse, T.H., C.F.; Shaw, F.C., Suffolk R. (Suffolk Regiment); Shaw, F., R.E.; Smith, H.S.G., R.A.F.; Smith,
M.S., W.L. (Women's Legion); Sullivan, R., R.A.F.; Thornhill,J.C., S. & I.Cd.; +Thornhill, H. O'B.,
R.N.; Thornhill, K., V.A.D.; Wayte,J., R.I.R.; Vv'hitty, L., A.S.C.; Whitty, W.F., R.F.A.; Winter, P., A.S.C.;
Winter, R., R.D.F.; Pro Deo et Patria.