The Digital Ark: Early Modern Collections of Curiosities in England and Scotland, 1580-1700
Tradescant family tomb, West view (sketch)
[Drawing].Click image for full-size. N/AHester Tradescant (-1678) N/AJohn, the Elder Tradescant (c.1570s-c.15 Apr 1638) N/AJohn Tradescant, the Younger (4 Aug 1608 [bap.]-22 Apr 1662) In Print: Survey of London. Issued by the Joint Publishing Committee Representing the London County Council and the London Survey Committee, plate 93a Description:"In the churchyard [of the Church of St. Mary], which is enclosed by ragstone walls and railings, there are five tombs of special interest. The Tradescant and [Captain William] Bligh tombs are to the east of the church; that to the Tradescant family is in natural stone and has carved panels depicting ruins of buildings on the north and south faces. The east end has a shield with crest and mantling which bears the Tradescant arms. To the west there is a boldly carved seven-headed bird with a skull beneath, and at the corners stunted trees with heavy foliation. The tomb is surrounded by iron posts and chains and has a moulded plinth and cornice. The flat slab above the cornice has an inscription stating that the tomb was originally erected in 1662, repaired in I773, and entirely restored in I8SJ· The sculptor for the 1853 restoration was G. P. White, who two years previously had carved the font" (Roberts, 115).