Morgan Tombs
There are many fine chest tombs in the graveyard, the oldest one is believed to date back to the 15th century but now has no inscription. One of the most impressive tombs is that of Valentine Strong, a renowned Cotswold stonemason. In 1661 he was engaged by Andrew Barker to build the large mansion house known as Fairford Park House (demolished c.1955). Sadly, Valentine did not live long enough to see the house finished as he died in September 1662. Valentine Strong’s well preserved tomb is one of several Grade II* listed monument, and is one of the earliest examples of a ‘bale tomb’ only found in the Cotswolds area. One of the advantages of the chest tomb design is that it gives scope for inscriptions on four sides. Unfortunately, the inscription on Valentine’s tomb is now much worn and practically indecipherable. However, the inscription was recorded before it began to decay and reads:
The Tomb of Valentine Strong
Here lyeth the body of Valentine Stronge, Free Mason
He departed this life December the … AD 1662
Here’s one that was an able workman long
Who divers houses built, both fair and Stronge
Though Strong he was, a stronger came than he
And robb’d him of his life and fame, we see
Moving an old house a new one for to rear
Death met him by the way, and laid him more
It is curious that although the inscription states that Valentine died in December 1662, the entry for Valentine’s burial is recorded in the Fairford Parish Register and is clearly written as 26 September 1662 and his will proved on 25 November 1662.
Some of the graves in the churchyard are those of notable Fairford families such as the Raymond Barkers and the Morgans of Morgan Hall but most of the older ones belong to farmers, craftsmen and traders. There are also the graves of five Fairford men who died in the First World War and four who died in the Second World War. Some of these have headstones provided by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.
At the Stewards station in the Church there is a list of all the graves and memorials in the churchyard, with plans of where they are sited. Unfortunately, not all people who were buried in the churchyard have headstones and some are barely legible. Fairford History Society has photographed and transcribed the legends on the graves.
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Fairford History Society
Updated 17th December 2024