The Davenport Memorial, Doveridge

This Memorial is one of several inside St Cuthbert's Church. Kelly's Directory of 1895 tells us that the earliest monument is an alabaster slab, incised with the figure of a priest in vestments, his head resting on a pillow supported by angels. Its marginal inscription, now wholly illegible, probably dates from the 14th century.

The monument in the photograph is to William DAVENPORT, of Henbury, Cheshire, and his wife Mary (MILWARD), and dated 1639. “The upper compartment exhibits their life-size figures kneeling at a desk, and in the lower are effigies of their three daughters, also kneeling, and an infant reposing in a cradle”. [Kelly]

At the east end of the south aisle is a mural monument, supported by figures of angels, to Sir Thomas MILWARD, chief justice of Chester, and Thomasine, his wife, dated 1658; above are the emblazoned arms of Milward. There are numerous monuments to the Cavendish family, including, in the chancel, a brass to Francis Cavendish, 1650; an alabaster mural monument to Francis Cavendish, 1658; and five memorial windows to Henry Manners Cavendish, 3rd Baron Waterpark, d. 31 March 1863, and the Hon. and Rev. Thomas Cavendish, 20 years vicar of this parish, d. 26 March, 1859; Vice-Admiral the Hon. George John Cavendish, d. 23 October 1865; the Hon. Richard Cavendish, d. 18 March 1876; and the Hon. Frederick Cavendish, d. 24 May 1877; in the south aisle is a memorial window to Mary Stretton, d. 14 Mar 1879.

(Information provided by Rosemary Lockie)