East Lydford church

[MattD30]

Is there anyone who lives in or near East Lydford and who would be willing to photograph two memorials inside the church? These are to John Ryall (died 1781 aged 73) and Narcissus Ryall, BA (died April 1829). The second memorial is located on the south side of the chancel but I am not sure of the location of the first one. There is also a tablet on the floor marked "To the memory of John Davies, gent" which I would be intereted in getting a photo of as well.

This information comes from the 1836 publication "The History And Antiuities of Somersetshire" Vol I by the Rev W. Phelps, A.B, F.S.A (p464-465) found online at the Internet Archive.

The memorial to John Davies may be worn away now due to people walking over it but as the others are on the walls I am hoping they are still readable.

If someone can photograph these and then email them to me or post the photos I would be very grateful. The Rev Narcissus Ryall, BA is my direct ancestor. I am happy to repay any development costs for the prints and postage costs if they need to be posted.

I hope someone will be able to help

Matthew

[Bagpuss_Janet]

Hi Matthew.  I live about half an hour away from East Lydford, and whilst I don't go past it often, I would be happy to take some snaps from you if nobody else is able to - it might not be until next spring though!

However, a potential problem... you don't say which church it is.   According to Wikipedia (look up Lydford-on-the-Fosse) the church of St Mary's at East Lydford was last used in 1987 and has been privately owned since 1993.  Is this the church you mean, or is there another?

[MattD30]

Hi Matthew.  I live about half an hour away from East Lydford, and whilst I don't go past it often, I would be happy to take some snaps from you if nobody else is able to - it might not be until next spring though!

However, a potential problem... you don't say which church it is.   According to Wikipedia (look up Lydford-on-the-Fosse) the church of St Mary's at East Lydford was last used in 1987 and has been privately owned since 1993.  Is this the church you mean, or is there another?

Hi there, thanks for the offer (I had forgotten I'd posted the message lol!)

I think that St Mary's is the church in question and I had also discovered that it is now privately owned. I am hoping that if I can find out who owns it that I will be able to contact them by letter and get their permission to obtain photos of the memorials. It would be even better if I could get down there to see them but at the moment that is not financially possible for me.

I recently discovered an article online about a house in Kent built in the mid 15th century for one of my ancestors [a member of the de Ladd family]. It is now a B&B and I have been able to email the owner who is going to try and find some photos to email me. If you want to see the place Google "Bowyk Manor" and look at the About section.

Anyhow if I can find out who owns the property in East Lydford now and if you are willing to take some photos that would be great. It is also possible that the owner will do this for me but first I need to know who to contact.

Matthew