Page:Notes and Queries - Series 12 - Volume 5.djvu/96

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NOTES AND QUERIES. [12 s. v. APRIL, wia

[On right pillar] This monument" | was erected by | public subscription | to commemorate community. | Unveiled A.D. 1913.
 * a career devoted | to the service of | the

[On left pillar] Sir Samuel Sadler | was a member of | the Town Council of | Middles- borough 1873-1911, | Mayor 1877, 1896, and 1910 | Member of Parliament I for Middles- borough ! 1900-1906. He served | in the Volun- teer and | Territorial Forces j 1860-1911 and as Colonel | and Hon. -Colonel of | the 1st V.B. D.L.I, and | 5th Durham L.I. 1876-1911.

MAUD HEATH.

Bremliill, Wilts. From an illustrated article in The Field of Oct. 4, 1913, entitled ' Maud Heath's Causeway,' I make the following extract :

" Tradition relates that Maud Heath was a market woman living in the village of Bremhill, who having long felt by sad experience the incon- venience of a swampy walk to Chippenham and back, especially in the conveyance of such perishable ware as butter and eggs, devoted the savings of her life to the laudable purpose of providing a good footing for her successors in all time to come. She made no will, but during her lifetime, in the year 1474, she gave to certain trustees some houses and land in and near Chippenham to carry out her intentions. To commence with, the trustees built a causeway, that is, a narrow. stone-flagged- road, along the prescribed route. . . .Certainly not later than 1698 the trustees had constructed a highway. As the years rolled on the property bequeathed by Maud Heath increased in value,' and the trustees had funds sufficient to make this an excellent road, to provide a footpath by the side, and to rebuild the bridge over the Avon. In 1811 they raised the footway on a chain of about sixty arches over the meadows, which are liable to flooding, adjoin- ing the Avon ; and in 1 853 they defrayed the cost of the present stone bridge over the river. In short, the cost of everything connected with the maintenance of this thoroughfare is defrayed by the Trust."

The road is about 4^ miles long, reaching from the east side of Chippenham, through Langley Burrell, across the Avon, to the top of Bremhill Wick Hill.

Near the Avon bridge is a stone memorial surmounted by a sundial. It is about 12 ft. high, and is thus inscribed :

" lo the memory of the worthy Maud Heath of Langley Burrell, widow, who in the year of grace 1474, for the good of travellers, did in charity bestow in land and houses about 8?. a year for ever, to be laid out on the highway and causey leading from Wick Hill to Chippenham Clift. Erected by the feoffees in 1698. Injure me not."

Beside the road near the top of Wick Hill a stone is inscribed with the following couplet :

From this Wick Hill begins the praise Of Maud Heath's gift to these highways/

On the top of the hill an octagonal column, rising from a square plinth to a height of about 40 ft., is placed. On the summit is seated a stone figure of Maud Heath, clad in the garb of a market woman. In her hand she grasps a staff, and beside her stands a basket laden with butter and eggs. It was erected in 1838 by two of the trustees Henry, Marquis of Lansdowiie, and the Rev. Wm. Bowles, Vicar of Brem- hill.

HUNTSMAN FAMILY.

West Retford, Notts. In September,. 1913, a sacristy was added to the church of St. Michael. It was dedicated by Canon Gray as a gift of members of the Huntsman family. On the stonework of the chancel is carved the following inscription :

Benjamin Huntsman

A.D. 1820-1893. His wife, Anna Maria

A.D. 1825-1897. And their Son, Francis Huntsman

A.D. 1852-1910.

Thou wilt keep them in perfect peace. This sacristy was erected by Mary, widow of Francis Huntsman, and her brothers and sisters- in-law, Harry and Amy Huntsman, Alice and 1 John Walker, Hilda and Alexander Bethel. Charles Gray, Rector.

ALDERMAN G. J. JOHNSON.

Brampton, Cumberland. In Front Street,, near St. Martin's Hall and the parish church, is placed a square granite pillar to the memory of Alderman Johnson. It is slightly raised by steps from the roadway, and is surmounted by a lamp. On the front is inserted a bronze medallion por- trait, the work of Mr. Edward Gill of London. The memorial was erected by public sub- scription at a cost of 300Z. It is thus inscribed :

[East side] (Medallion.)

In Memory of

George John Johnson,

of Castlesteads, J.P., Deputy

Lieutenant, County Aldeiman.

Born 28th June, 1816. Died 23rd

December, 3896. [West side]

Know thou, O stranger to the fame Of this much loved, much honoured name ; For none that knew him need be told, A warmer heart death ne'er made cold. [North side] Erected by public subscription in recognition of his many public services 20 years- Chairman of the Brampton Petty Sessions, 28 years Chairman of the Brampton Board of Guardians, and active member of Quarter Sessions, and 28 years Chairman of the Cattle Disease Executive Committee.