Tetcott

from

Some Old Devon Churches

By J. Stabb

London: Simpkin et al (1908-16)

Page 229

Transcribed and edited by Dr Roger Peters

Full text available at

https://www.wissensdrang.com/dstabb.htm

Prepared by Michael Steer

Between 1908 and 1916, John Stabb, an ecclesiologist and photographer who lived in Torquay, published three volumes of Some Old Devon Churches and one of Devon Church Antiquities. A projected second volume of the latter, regarded by Stabb himself as a complement to the former, did not materialize because of his untimely death on August 2nd 1917, aged 52. Collectively, Stabb's four volumes present descriptions of 261 Devon churches and their antiquities.

TETCOTT. Holy Cross. The church [plate 229a] consists of chancel, nave, south transept or Arscott Chapel, south porch, and west tower with one bell. In the Arscott Chapel is the family pew with carved front, and at each end a lion holding a shield, one bears the Arscott arms. On the memorial tablets in this chapel are the following inscriptions:-

1. Here lyeth the Body
of John Arscott Esqr., who married
the daughter of Sr Shilston Calmady
he dyed while Sheriffe of the County
the 25th day of September
1675. Aetatis suæ 63.
Here also lyeth
the body of Gertrude wife
of the abouesaid John Arscott
Esq: who died the 18th of
October 1699. aged 77.

2.

This
Monument was erected
in memory of Anne & Pru-
dence, the wives of John Ar-
scott of Tetcott Esq: Anne had
noe issue, she died 24th August 75
aged 22. Prudence had issue five
sons & one daughter, she died ye 12th
of January 1688. Aged 32.
Here also lyeth the
Body of the above
mentioned John Arscott Esq:
who died the 17th of June
1708. Aged 60.

3.

In Memory
of Arthur Arscott
younger son of Arthur Arscott Esq:
and Gwen his wife
a youth
Blessed with uncommon Endowments
for His age
In his long and painful Illness
a remarkable example
of Patience, Courage & Christian Resignation
His Parents
Mourning His untimely death
Rejoicing His entrance to a Better life
Have placed this Monument.
He was born Augt ye 19 1723
Dyed March ye 27 1739.

4.

Sacred to the Memory of John Arscott
late of Tettcott in this Parish Esquire,
who died the 14th Day of January 1788
Aged 69
and whose Remains lie near this Place
What his character was need not here be recorded
The deep Impression
which his extensive Benevolence and Humanity
has left on the Minds of His Friends and Dependants
will be transmitted by Tradition
to late Posterity
This stone is placed here as a small Memorial
of Affection and Gratitude by his Relation and Suc-
cessor Sir William Molesworth, Bart.

In the chancel are memorials of the Rev. John Rouse, 33 years rector of this parish, who died March 7th 1818, aged 81, of Catherine his wife, who died December 24th 1803, aged 51, of Jane his sister, who died October 11th 1812, aged 81, and also of Catherine Jane Hart, daughter of the Rev. Oliver Rouse, rector of the parish, who died January 24th 1814, aged 3 years and three months. In the chapel there is a memorial of the Rev. Oliver Rouse, for 30 years and upward rector of this parish, who died March 12th 1846, aged 65, his wife Priscilla Amelia, who died March 12th 1834, aged 57, and two of their sons.

There is a Norman font [plate 229b]. The organ has the following inscription:-

To the Glory of God and Holy Church
this organ was given by Temple Walter West, M.A.
for twenty-seven years Rector of this Parish.
The organ was opened February 11th 1872.

The registers date: baptisms, 1596; marriages, 1599; burials, 1599.