Description

779/15/10034 LEE TERRACE
01-JUN-07 LEE
Rayley Monument, Lee Old Churchyard

GV II
Box tomb, erected c1775 to Mrs Elizabeth Rayley (d.1775). A tapering stone Grecian box tomb, with fluted angle pilasters and stylised lotus flower capitals. The top of the tomb consists of a shallow square pyramid. The tomb is in relatively good condition.

HISTORY: Lee old churchyard contains many notable monuments which reflect the area's Georgian past as a place of retirement for City merchants and those involved with Greenwich and the Deptford shipyards. In the centre of the churchyard stand the remains of the tower belonging to the former medieval Church of St Margaret (listed Grade II). The current Church of St Margaret stands to the south side of Lee Terrace (listed Grade II*). The churchyard of the current church contains later tombs, being used principally between the 1840s and 1870s. A decline in usage came with the opening of Hither Green Cemetery, Lee in 1873.

SOURCES
E and J Birchenough, Monumental Inscriptions in the Old Churchyard, St Margaret's, Lee (1967 typescript in Manor House Library)
C P Gwilt (1830), F Bamping (2001) et al, Lee - Kent Archaeological Society website.

SUMMARY OF IMPORTANCE: The monument of Elizabeth Rayley (d.1775), Lee old churchyard, Lewisham, is a handsome stone box tomb in the Greek Revival style. It meets the criteria for listing of commemorative monuments as a late C18 tomb of good architectural quality.

External Links

• Historic England Listing
• Wikidata Q27087122

External links are from the relevant listing authority and, where applicable, Wikidata. Wikidata IDs may be related buildings as well as this specific building. If you want to add or update a link, you will need to do so by editing the Wikidata entry.

Recommended Books

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  Listed Buildings: The Law and Practice of Historic Buildings, Ancient Monuments and Conservation Areas
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