Archaeological recording in the churchyard of St. Mary's Church, Overton, Hampshire

SU 51484998

by Christopher K Currie BA (Hons.), MPhil, LAAIS, MIFM, MIFA

CKC Archaeology

Report to Overton Parochial Church Council

January 1998

Contents

Summary statement

  1. Introduction
  2. Historical background
  3. Strategy
  4. Results
    1. The northern half of the trench
    2. The southern half of the trench
    3. Watching brief on excavation of reburial site
    4. Watching brief on building works creating access from the church to the new village hall
  5. Discussion
  6. Conclusions
  7. The finds
  8. Archive
  9. Acknowledgements
  10. References

Summary statement

An archaeological watching brief of an area to the north of St. Mary's Church, Overton, Hampshire (SU 51484998) was made part of conditions for planning permission for new meeting and function rooms (ref. CG (AE) REB E8/6). Overton Parochial Church Council commissioned C K Currie of CKC Archaeology to undertake the archaeological works on its behalf. These were carried out in January and February of 1998.

The archaeological recording within St. Mary's churchyard at Overton proved to be an interesting exercise. Burial on the north side of the church does not seem to have been begun to any extent until 1790, when the Reverend Thomas was buried there. This set an example to the local community, and a number of prominent local families are buried within the excavation area after this date. Burial ceased here by the 1880s, with the exception of a single early 20th-century grave.

By far the most interesting discovery was an extensive scatter of large medieval pits. These were mainly concentrated in the SW corner of the excavation area, with occasional smaller pits elsewhere. Although the earliest of these pits may have dated from the 11th/12th centuries, the majority seem to date from the later medieval period. These were thought to be mainly quarry pits, dug piecemeal over a period of about 150 years during the 13th-14th centuries, for the extraction of chalk for making lime and for use in chalk cob construction. A large chalk cob wall existed on the west side of the churchyard until recently. Other evidence that this activity was connected with building work on the church was found. A pit full of mason's stone chippings, a possible bell-founding pit, and other slight evidence of industrial-type activity was found in pit fills. The stone chippings were seen to be of a stone type found in the walls of both aisles and the chancel. These parts of the church have been dated mainly to the 14th century, with relatively minor alterations in the 15th century. This coincides approximately with the late medieval date for the pottery and other finds from the suspected quarry pits.

Before the excavation area was used for burial from the 1790s, it appears to have been used as a work area for building activity within the churchyard. Archaeological recording in the churchyard of St. Mary's Church, Overton, Hampshire (SU 51484998)

This report has been written based on the format suggested by the Institute of Field Archaeologists' Standard and guidance for archaeological watching briefs (Birmingham, 1994). The ordering of information follows the guidelines given in this document, although alterations may have been made to fit in with the particular requirements of the work.

1.0 Introduction

An archaeological watching brief of an area to the north of St. Mary's Church, Overton, Hampshire (SU 51484998) was made part of conditions for planning permission for new meeting and function rooms (ref. CG (AE) REB E8/6). Overton Parochial Church Council commissioned C K Currie of CKC Archaeology to undertake the archaeological works on its behalf. These were carried out in January and February of 1998.

2.0 Historical and archaeological background

The church stands 150m to the north of the River Test at a height of 90m AOD, on the opposite bank of the river to the small market town of Overton. The subsoil is chalk, covered in a dark loam.

Overton is first mentioned in two 10th-century Saxon charters granting royal land there to the Old Minster at Winchester, later Winchester Cathedral (Sawyer 1968, nos. 377, 824). The name 'Uferantun' means 'the upper farm', although Ekwall (1960, 354) comments that the name may be derived from 'Ofer-tun', meaning 'farm on the river bank', which suits the situation of the early settlement well.

After the Norman Conquest, the estate became part of the lands of the bishops of Winchester. It is possible that a royal grant of a market in 1218 signalled the beginnings of the medieval new town founded there by the bishop (Brough 1911, 211; Beresford 1959, 195-7). This appears to have been a similar 'double' settlement to the new bishopric towns at New Alresford, Hampshire, and Downton, Wiltshire, whereby the town was sited on the opposite side of the river to the original Saxon settlement (Beresford 1959, 195-7).

According to Beresford (1959, 214), the original settlement around the church, to the north of the new town, had vanished by the early 14th century. However, the bishops seem to have continued to hold their local courts at their manor house, Court Farm, next to the church, throughout the medieval period. A recent study by Roberts (1996) has shown that the bishops were still prepared to invest substantially in the building complex around the Court House at the end of the medieval period. Episcopal pipe rolls show that considerable building works were carried out on the farmhouse and barn at the end of the 15th and beginning of the 16th century.

The earliest fabric of the church seems to date from the late 12th century, although the majority of the present building dates from the later 13th-15th centuries. The exterior has been much restored in the Victorian period, and in 1908 the west tower was rebuilt. The parish registers date from 1621, but coverage is uneven (Brough 1911, 216-7).

The condition of the site in that part of the churchyard to be recorded is rough grass on the north side of the church, within the bounds of the old churchyard. A number of stone grave markers of mainly 19th century date stood on the spot.

An evaluation of the area was carried out in December 1994 by C K Currie of CKC Archaeology. This found that the area was largely disturbed by later 18th and 19th-century burials. Residual medieval pottery, and an unidentified non-burial feature (then interpreted, probably wrongly, as a ditch) was found cutting into the undisturbed chalk. This suggested that there might be potential for finding medieval or earlier archaeological features where post-medieval disturbance was not so great (Currie 1995).

3.0 Strategy

3.1 Research aims

It is proposed to undertake archaeological recording in the area designated to try to recover information that will hope to:

a) Increase knowledge of the origins of the church at Overton.

b) Increase knowledge of the development of the medieval church.

c) Increase knowledge of the development and use of the burial ground, and to enhance an understanding of the population morphology through skeletal analysis. The latter will be undertaken within the terms of the church's faculty concerning the disposal of any human remains found on the site.

d) Increase knowledge of the existence and nature of any early settlement on the site.

3.2 Site strategy

Initial soil-stripping was undertaken by machine, down to undisturbed chalk or medieval soil horizons, whichever was encountered first. Post-medieval graves cutting into chalk were recorded on plan by grave cut and orientation, as stated in the brief. Once recorded the bones were removed, and handed over to the local clergyman for reburial according to that practice dictated by the faculty.

Although it was originally intended to record on plan the exact position and orientation of all post-medieval graves, unforeseen circumstances required this intention to be altered. As it subsequently transpired, none of the post-medieval graves near the church were found to cut into undisturbed chalk. Furthermore, as the machine scrapped back in this area, it became clear that there were large numbers of extensive earlier features (later found to be medieval) cutting into the underlying chalk. The brief for the work stated that the recording of post-medieval burials should not stop work. As the graves in this area were rapidly identified as of 19th century date through the characteristic tin-plated coffin furniture frequently used at this time, it was decided to concentrate recording on the earlier features. In order to concentrate on these earlier features, the late post-medieval graves not cutting chalk near the church were recorded as a group (context 117). Within this group only numbers and orientation were recorded.

Excavation of the large number of medieval features was thereafter undertaken by hand, with full recording of these features. All finds were from these contexts were fully recorded, and removed from site for further analysis. Where post-medieval building material was found elsewhere, this was recorded on site, before being discarded. Also all non-burial features that could not be identified as medieval were fully recorded.

4.0 Results

The excavation was undertaken as a single unit area excavation. To prevent confusion with the 1994 evaluation trench, the 1998 trench was called trench 2 in the archive documents. The trench was excavated in two stages. The northern half of the trench was excavated down to chalk, and individual graves and other features recorded as work progressed. About midway through this exercise, it was found that the chalk dropped off dramatically. This was found to be the result of large-scale medieval activity. The machine was forced to alter the steady progress across the site, to create a new 'level' from which to work. When the excavation was completed, a 'cliff' line existed E-W across the site, approximately on the 12m north line of the grid. This effectively divided the trench into two halves. The results are thereby described by the term 'northern half' and 'southern half' of the trench.

4.1 The northern half of the trench

Machining back here revealed a systematic burial pattern, with few intercutting graves. The exception was around two brick vaults (cuts 69 & 75) near the NE corner of the trench. Elsewhere burial was in approximate straight N-S lines. All graves in this half of the trench were orientated E-W. These graves were excavated into the underlying chalk by varying depths of between less than 0.1m and 0.4m. The majority of graves were excavated into chalk by less than 0.25m. The soil overlying chalk was, on average, about 1m in depth (context 57), being an anomalous dark loam from continual redeposition. Residual medieval pottery seemed to be rare. There was also very little post-medieval material within the soils above chalk.

The grave cuts excavated in this area numbered 44, with possibly two or three more cut through by vaults 69 and 75. The graves were laid out in approximately six main lines, with infant and child graves interspersed between the main graves (adults and adolescents). Of the graves examined five were infant or young child (0-3 years), five were older children or young adolescents (4-12 years), and 34 were adolescents, small adults or full grown adults. At least five graves seem to represent the remains of adults of around six feet or more in height. Twenty-one graves were clearly dated to the 19th century. The rest were dated to the later post-medieval period, either by association with other dated graves, or by finds or grave furniture. Although there were a small number of graves that could not be accurately dated, their position in a line of otherwise 19th-century burials, suggested that they were also of that approximate date.

The most common dating material was the tin-plated coffin furniture characteristic of 19th-century graves. This was obviously the 'trademark' of the local undertaker. Graves containing 'Overton' grave furniture were numbers 01, 05, 07, 19, 21, 25, 33, 35, 41, 45, 47, 55, 63, 65, 67, 73, 83, and 89. This grave furniture was also found associated with skeletons within cut 71. This cut was a series of possible intercut graves cut through by two large brick vaults (69 & 75).

These brick vaults were side by side. Cut 69 contained a coffin-shaped vault, with a domed brick roof. Within the vault was a coffined male burial, with iron supports bricked in over the coffin. It was thought that these were supposed to take a second coffin, but there was no evidence to suggest that this was ever used. The coffin contained traces of 'Overton' tin-plated furniture decorating it. A headstone removed from above this vault revealed that the burial was of a son (name illegible) of Thomas Miller, who died in 1867. According to the illegible marking on the north face of the headstone, another person may have been buried in this vault, although no obvious trace of this second body was found. The interior of the vault's brickwork was painted black.

The vault on the south side (cut 75) was of a slightly different construction. It also cut through earlier graves containing 19th-century grave furniture. This vault was made into a regular rectangle, and was a shallower cut than that to the north. The vault was capped by a thick stone slab. It contained a coffined adult male skeleton with 'Overton' type grave furniture. A lead plate over the body declared it to belong to 'Lewis Miller Esq 15th Nov 1863 Aged 81 years'. Lewis Miller was the second son of Thomas Miller. It is assumed the vault to the north was that one of his brothers.

Other clues to the dating of lines of graves can be found by the large brick vault that adjoined on the north side of grave cut 25. This latter cut contained 'Overton' grave furniture, as did a number of other graves in this N-S line. Although the vault was outside the excavated trench, its south wall could be seen in the trench section. This vault contained the remains of Thomas Floud, Rector of Overton, and his wife Ellen Corrie. Ellen is recorded as dying in 1870, the Rector in 1899. It is noted that the gravestones tend to get progressively more modern beyond this vault. It might be assumed that the graves south of this line may have been slightly earlier in date. It is noted that the grave closest to the church in this line was to Thomas Farmer, who died in 1818. It is possible this burial was represented by grave cut 97 in the southern part of the trench (see below).

There were four features cut into chalk in the north part of the trench that were not associated with burials. Feature 11 was a sub-circular cut, about 0.85m in diameter, extending about 0.7m into the chalk. It contained the same type of mixed grey-brown clay loam, clay and redeposited chalk fill found throughout the site, in both grave fills, and non-burial features. This was uniformly between Munsell colours 10YR 4/2 and 10YR 4/6, and contained very little variation in its coarse components across the site (chalk fragments, occasional flint and gravel stones; other components also included rare bone fragments, mainly human, and rare charcoal flecks). Feature 11 contained no finds from which to date it.

Feature 15 was a N-S linear cut, 1.15m by 0.55m. On excavation it was found to cut into by chalk by 0.41m. The only finds in the fill was an incomplete fragment of oyster shell. It was cut through by two 19th-century graves (cuts 17 & 19).

Feature 51 was possibly a sub-circular feature, about 1.45m in diameter. It was cut in chalk by 0.63m. At its west end it appeared to be cut through by a smaller sub-circular feature (context 115), 0.95m diameter. This was cut about 0.08m deeper than cut 51. It was thought that both features were roughly contemporary. The fill of feature 51 contained three sherds of early medieval coarseware (11/12th century). It also contained clay roof tile fragments that probably put the date back to the 13th century or after.

The final non-burial feature in this area was a linear cut (121) in the far NE corner of the trench. This was aligned WSW-ENE, and was 1.7m by 0.7m. It cut into underlying chalk by over 1.5m, and contained one sherd of early medieval coarseware (11th-13th century).

4.2 The southern half of the trench

On machining back to reveal graves cutting into the chalk, it became clear that there were very few of these features present at this level. Excavation revealed that the chalk made a dramatic dive down by up to 1.5m roughly along grid line 12 north. This was the result of extensive medieval features cutting deep into the chalk. The chalk in this area was relatively shallow, being about 1m-1.5m thick before coming down on to terrace gravels. On encountering the gravels, the medieval activity seemed to stop.

Grave cuts continued to be made along the six main lines found in the northern half of the trench, but these did not extend into undisturbed soil. Only on the far south side of the trench, where the chalk seemed to rise up towards the church, did graves begin to cut into chalk again (cuts 97, 127, 129). On the east side of the trench the chalk also seemed to rise up again, causing graves to cut into it again (123, 125 and the graves excavated in the evaluation trench of 1994. This rise in the level of the chalk was also very pronounced towards the east, where graves began to appear more tightly packed again, particularly as one approached the edge of the 1994 evaluation trench. All graves were orientated on an east-west alignment. The single exception was context 129, which was orientated WNW-ESE.

Although graves were observed, they tended to be less densely packed than one might have expected. This was indicated on the surface, where there were only eight gravestones in this area (although it is possible this was the result of earlier clearance as there were many disturbed gravestones placed against the path along the edge of the church). However, this underestimated the number of graves present as some were clearly unmarked. Not counting those skeletons already excavated, partly or entirely, in 1994, 20 additional adult skeletons of late post-medieval date were observed within this area. These were recorded as a group (context 117) so that recording could concentrate on the extensive medieval features beneath them. Only graves cutting into undisturbed chalk were recorded individually. These tended to be along the southern edge of the site near the church (97, 127, 129). Over 50% of the graves in this area contained 'Overton' style 19th-century grave furniture. The general deposition of the others suggested they were mainly late post-medieval. No graves thought to pre-date the late 18th-century were seen.

Initially, the large features found cutting deeply into chalk in this area were thought to be intercutting graves. The machine scarped back to prepare for these to be excavated as such. The relatively few graves that had been removed above this level were thought to be late features of minimal importance. It was completely unexpected when excavation began to reveal these features as being of non-burial origin.

The medieval features are described working from west to east, as excavated. The first (feature 95) to be examined was a large irregular cut with maximum dimensions of 2.1m N-S and 2.4m E-W. It cut into chalk by about 0.5m. This contained a mixed clay loam, clay, and redeposited chalk fill (context 96; Munsell colour 10YR 4/2). It contained no datable finds, only a few small fragments of redeposited human skull. However, it was just cut through on its west edge by a large feature (context 99) that contained sherds of 13th/14th century ceramics, including a large fragment of a thumbed impressed jug. The remainder of feature 99 disappeared under the sloping baulk of the trench (the trench sides being slopped for safety purposes). However, it appeared to be also of substantial size. Feature 99 was cut by a grave (129) on its south side. Feature 95 was also cut by a grave (97) on its south side. From the position of a headstone, this grave was possibly that of Thomas Farmer, who died in 1818.

The next feature was a circular pit with a bell-shaped profile (91). This cut into chalk by about 0.5m. The fill was much the same as the other medieval features in this area. However, it contained two pieces of copper slag, and some medieval ceramics. Although it contained no trace of a clay cast, the shape of the cut and the residual slag suggested that this feature might be tentatively considered to be a bell-founding pit.

To the north of this was a large linear cut (93), 3.25m by 1.45m. The north side of this created a sharp drop in the undisturbed chalk, and was taken as the dividing line between the north and south halves of the trench. Originally it seems that this feature cut into underlying chalk by almost 1.4m. The upper fill of this feature was cut through by at least three graves (67, 119, 131). This may have caused some disturbance resulting in a single small fragment of post-medieval bottle glass to find its way into the fill (find subsequently lost). It was considered that this find was residual, as it was the only post-medieval find to be found in these large chalk-cut features. Other than this, cut 93 contained a moderate assemblage of medieval pottery of 13th/14th century date. These sherds were generally in good condition, and showed little sign of abrasion caused by disturbance subsequent to their original deposition. The east end of the fill also contained chippings of a pale grey-green stone, similar to that found in the walls of the aisles of the church.

South of 93 were the remains of two cuts (109, 111). It is possible that these may have joined up to make one cut. Unfortunately, later grave cuts, and possibly further medieval activity in the area, seems to have removed the link between them. Both features cut into chalk by at least 0.5m, as could be seen from the surviving chalk on the south side of 111, and the north side of 109. Cut 109 contained no datable finds, but the fill of 111 contained medieval pot, roof tile and a corner fragment of encaustic floor tile, the latter possibly of 13th or early 14th century date.

Cut 111 seemed to just cut across the far NW corner of a large irregular feature (107). The full extent of 107 extended beneath the southern edge of the trench. The extent of the part seen was 3.85m E-W, 1.85m N-S, and cutting into chalk by 0.69m. That part excavated contained no datable finds. Finds included a fragment of pale grey-green ragstone similar to that found in the outer walls of the chancel and the church aisles, plus 45 grms of a crumbly slag-like material, possibly an industrial residue of some sort.

Immediately south of 93 was another large irregular sub-circular feature (103), approximately 2.7m in diameter. It ended against the sharp drop in the chalk from the north side of the site, suggesting that the original feature cut into chalk by c. 1.2m. The fill (104) contained 13th/14th century pot sherds, clay roof tile and four fragments of what appeared to be a baked clay or clinker type of industrial waste. The upper layers of this feature were cut through by at least four late post-medieval graves (85, 87, 89, 119).

Feature 103 was cut through on its SE edge by a very large irregular cut (113). This extended at least 3.5m further east, and was at least 2.5m wide on a N-S alignment. This feature was too large to excavate fully in the time available, but a section was taken out of it. It cut at least 0.5m deeper into the chalk than any other features around it, cutting through the chalk to the underlying gravel below. It contained no finds. It is possible that the SE edge of this was the unidentified non-burial feature found in the NW corner of the 1994 evaluation trench (Currie 1995).

To the south of 103 was the base of another large feature (105). This was roughly keyhole shaped, being 3m by 2m at its maximum extent. It cut a mere 0.15m through underlying chalk into the gravel beneath. The fill (106) was extremely mixed, containing large quantities of deposited chalk and topsoil-like loam. It contained no finds.

Immediately south of 103 was a linear cut (101). This was 1.6m N-S by 0.6m E-W, cutting into chalk by c. 0.3m. It contained a fill of entirely light grey-green stone chippings, similar to those found in the chancel and aisles of the church.

East of 113 and 105 the chalk rose upwards towards the edge of the 1994 evaluation trench. Between grave cuts 123 and 127, there were no graves cut into undisturbed chalk. Some 19th-century graves were observed here above the chalk during machine stripping.

4.3 Watching brief on excavation of reburial site

On Monday, 2nd February 1998, the author watched the excavation of a grave, 1.9m by 0.5m, for the reburial of the bones taken from the main excavation site. This cut through the edge of an earlier burial. Characteristic tin fittings in the fill suggested it was of later 19th-century date, although there was no marking headstone or mound on the site. The leg bones of an adult burial were disturbed. Where undisturbed soils were observed, the soil was found to extend down to 1.6m where undisturbed chalk was found. Soils were dark brown loam topsoil (10YR 3/3) of 0.3m depth overlying a brown clay loam subsoil (10YR 4/3).

4.4 Watching brief on building works creating access from the church to the new village hall

A new door was inserted into the north wall of the tower to give access to the new hall from the church. The tower was rebuilt in 1908, following two earlier rebuilds in the mid-19th century. It is possible some earlier work was preserved in the latest rebuild as the upper portions are in a different style to the lowest section.

This work was undertaken at a much later date than the main excavation works. It is not incorporated in the earlier drafts of this report, but will be reported on later.

5.0 Discussion

The discussion of the archaeology found during this exercise seems to fall into two distinct phases. These are related to medieval non-burial pit digging, and a predominantly 19th-century burial phase.

There was no evidence of medieval burial in the area. Activity probably started with small scale pit digging. Residual pottery sherds were present dating from the Saxo-Norman period. Whether these were related to a nearby settlement can not be determined. The earliest datable features seem possibly to date from the 13th century (cut 51), although cut 121 may be earlier. Relatively small pits like these may have been dug nearer the church, but in the later medieval period there seems to have been extensive diggings in this area that has removed any earlier evidence. The discrepancies in height between the north and south sides of features 93 and 103 suggest that unseen pits have removed the chalk on their south sides. This may have been post-medieval grave digging, but one suspects it may have been further medieval activity that has subsequently been dug away.

The large medieval pits that survive largely intact contain very little bone or other domestic rubbish. There was some pottery, but it did not occur in the quantities one expects to find in rubbish pits. There was very little dumped material in the pits of any kind. This suggests the pits were not dug for domestic rubbish. David Hopkins, the County Archaeological Officer (pers comm), suggested that the pits might represent clearance of earlier graves. This is a possibility, but this activity seems to have been medieval on the dating materials found within them. Although rare fragmentary human bones were occasionally found in the fills, they were far less that might be expected from such an exercise. Besides, medieval people seem to have had taboos against burial on the north side of the church.

A number of pits came up with residual evidence for industrial activity. Feature 91 produced copper slag, other features produced slag-like residues and other minor industrial debris. These were not sufficient on their own not to have been redeposited, but the bell shape of feature 91 tentatively suggested this was a possible bell-founding pit. The suggestion that this activity was associated with the refurbishment or rebuilding of the church is reinforced by pit 101 which contained large quantities of stone chippings. These were clearly debris from stone working. The same stone can be found in both aisle walls and the chancel of the church. These date to the 14th/15th centuries (Brough 1911, 216), a date that ties in well with the bulk of the medieval pottery found on the site. Stone chippings and evidence of flint knapping are also found in a number of other features in the SW corner of the site. They all suggest that there was building work being undertake in the 14th and 15th centuries.

It is with this in mind that the excavations on the NW side of the church might be viewed. To build the flint and stone walls of the aisles and chancel, the masons would have needed mortar. To make mortar they needed lime, which could have been made by burning chalk. It is suggested therefore that the large pits found here were chalk quarries. That excavation ceased on reaching the underlying gravel seems to support this idea.

There are further reasons for thinking that the excavations were made to obtain chalk for building. Until recently the west side of Overton churchyard was flanked by a thatched chalk cob wall. This was over 600 feet in length according to local historian, Richard Oram. The wall can be seen in a number of photographs collected by Oram (n.d., 12-14). It was demolished when a heavy rainstorm during rethatching caused it to become unrepairable (Richard Oram, pers comm). Chalk cob walls have a long history in Hampshire, and there is no reason to suppose this wall did not have medieval origins.

It might be suggested, therefore, that the intense medieval activity discovered during this recording exercise was related to a mainly 14th century (with some lesser alterations in the 15th century) rebuilding programme associated with the church. This would also help to explain the considerable differences in the depth of the chalk in this area. When the church was enlarged, it is highly likely that considerable quantities of earth had to be removed to make a level platform on which to build. The chalk is barely 0.3m below the surface near the north church wall. In excavating to build the workmen would have noted the ready supply of chalk at hand, and would have used it both for making lime, and for chalk cob walling.

In the discussion for the 1994 evaluation, it was concluded that burial did not begin on the north side of Overton church much before the last decade of the 18th century (Currie 1995). Before this time there was a superstition against burial on the north side of the church. This continued into the 19th century, as is shown by a headstone at Epworth, Humberside, dated 1807, which states:

'And that I might longer undisturbed abide, I choos'd to be laid on this northern side' (Bailey 1987, 164)

The graves in the northern half of the trench were systematically cut out in roughly six main lines (seven, if one includes the line partly excavated by the 1994 evaluation trench). Each grave cut into chalk for a short distance. Nearly 50% of these graves could be dated by the presence of a characteristic type of grave furniture to the 19th century. Others could be dated as contemporary by association. The total excavated population of the graves cut into chalk comprised five infants (0-3 years), five children (4-12 years) and 38 young adults or adults, and three unidentified fragmentary burials. Add to these the 31 burials excavated in 1994 (21 adults, four children, six unidentified fragmentary burials), plus the twenty additional adult burials found in the southern half of the trench, not cutting into chalk. The observed burial population totalled 92, being made up of 79 young adults or adults, nine children, five infants, and ten unidentified fragmentary burials.

All graves were aligned east-west, and were parallel to one another, suggesting contemporary laying out of graves. There was one exception to this. Grave 129 was aligned slightly WNE-ESE. This grave was close to the church in the SW corner of the trench. It was recorded within the sloping side of the trench, and its full extent was not seen. There was no reason to consider that this was not another post-medieval burial. Those close to the church, where datable, tended to date from the early 19th century.

The characteristic 'Overton' type coffin furniture was a thin tin plating placed over various parts of the coffin. On the wood rotting, these plates collapsed over the body. The earliest datable graves to contain this type of furniture were those of Sarah Taplin (1843), excavated in 1994, and graves (71) cut through by the two brick vaults belonging to two sons of Thomas Miller, dated 1862 and 1867 respectively. Further graves containing this furniture were found in the first full line on the west side of the trench. This started with the grave of Thomas Farmer (1818), and ended with that of Ellen (1870) and Thomas Floud (1899). If one accepts that the straight lines may have been extended systematically away from the church, the burials between Farmer and Floud probably date from between 1818 and 1870. It would seem therefore that the 'Overton' tin coffin furniture was in use between at least 1843 and 1870, the date of many of the later headstones in this area.

The move against the long-held superstition of not burying on the north side of the church seems to have been begun by Robert Thomas, Vicar of Overton, who died in 1790 (headstone G4), and his wife Elizabeth (died 1800). These are the earliest dated burials within the excavated area. Following on from this a number of prominent local families followed Thomas' example, and choose burial there. It is notable how the first member of each family buried in the area can be dated to the generation after the Reverend Thomas.

Thomas Miller of Southington had his crude brick vault erected on his death in 1817. He was followed by at least four relations, three of them being his sons, buried in nearby vaults (1832-67). The Small family also took up a number of plots here. The first of these to be recorded was Mary and George Small. Mary was buried soon after the Reverend Thomas in 1790; George, her husband, possibly following in 1805? There followed Thomas Small (1825?), another George Small (1830), and his wife, Elizabeth (1823?), and finally Sarah (1858). The Farmer family are also buried here, beginning with Elizabeth (1807), and followed by Thomas (1818) and James (1820). They were followed by the Tedders. These include Thomas (1811), William (1814), Sarah (1817), and James (1872). Other early burials include Mary Lamboule (1807) and her husband George (1834), Anne Venn (1811?) and her husband Thomas (1827), William Chamberlain (1812) and his wife Sarah (1819), Ann Knight (1814), Sarah Purdue (1815), Clarissa Lambert (1820?) and George Marshall (1821).

The largest concentration is the Crimble family. These seem to start with Thomas (1795), followed by Mary (1803), Ann (1807) and Elizabeth (1807). Other dated burials include George (1812), James (1819), Mary (1823), Jane (1824), Charles (1833), John (1857), Sarah (1857), James (1869), and Elizabeth (1881).

The practice of keeping families together in the same area apparently continued until it was considered the space had been exhausted. There are no new family groups buried here after the 1870s. The latest graves in this area were nearly all on the northern edge of the site. Most of the memorials of these were recorded, but were not eventually removed when it was realised that the excavation would not extend as far as originally envisaged. They included the Reverend Floud (1899) and his wife Ellen (1870), Fanny Annett (1870), George (1863), Mary (1853) and Harriet Pyle (1851), and Albert Dixon (1864). Existing families continued to be buried near their loved ones; for example Elizabeth Crimble in 1881. The latest burials in the recorded area were Charles Sprent (1901) and his wife Ellen (1920). These were left undisturbed as they were outside the excavation area. Doubtless they had wished to be buried near the graves of their relations Elizabeth Sprent (1838) and Edward Higham (1884), the latter the 'beloved child of Charles & Ellen Sprent'. The only dated burial to fall outside these groups is that of Louis Redstall (1900), which was sited on the extreme western edge of the excavation area.

The evidence of the archaeology, combined to that of the headstones, shows burial began within the excavated area in 1790, and was largely over by the 1860s, with only a small number of exceptions. During that time there was gradual move northwards away from the church. The excavation area may have been largely full as early as 1832, when the parish arranged to extend the churchyard further north on to former farmland in the hands of the Portal family (HRO 81M72/PB13).

Although it is possible that the occasional disturbed burial near the church on the edge of the trench may have been earlier, the grave layout seems to have become increasingly well organised as one moved north. There would seem to be no evidence for any medieval or early post-medieval burials within the excavated area.

6.0 Conclusions

The archaeological recording within St. Mary's churchyard at Overton proved to be an interesting exercise. Burial on the north side of the church does not seem to have been begun to any extent until 1790, when the Reverend Thomas was buried there. This set an example to the local community, and a number of prominent local families are buried within the excavation area after this date. Burial here seems to have ceased by the 1880s, with the exception of one early 20th-century grave on the very edge of the area.

By far the most interesting discovery was an extensive scatter of large medieval pits. These were mainly concentrated in the SW corner of the excavation area, with occasional smaller pits elsewhere. Although the earliest of these pits may have dated from the 11th/12th centuries, the majority seem to date from the later medieval period. These were thought to be mainly quarry pits, dug piecemeal over a period of about 150 years during the 13th-14th centuries, for the extraction of chalk for making lime and for use in chalk cob construction. A large chalk cob wall existed on the west side of the churchyard until recently. Other evidence that this activity was connected with building work on the church was found. A pit full of mason's stone chippings, a possible bell-founding pit, and other slight evidence of industrial-type activity was found in pit fills. The stone chippings were seen to be of a stone type found in the walls of both aisles and the chancel. These parts of the church have been dated mainly to the 14th century, with relatively minor alterations in the 15th century. This coincides approximately with the late medieval date for the pottery and other finds from the suspected quarry pits.

Before the excavation area was used for burial from the 1790s, it appears to have been used as a work area for building activity within the churchyard.

Weather and light conditions throughout the exercise were generally good. The excavation results can be given a good confidence rating, and there is no serious reason to doubt any of the findings made here. The one exception is the number of late post-medieval burials not cutting into chalk in the SW part of the site. A large number of extensive medieval pits were found here. Recording concentrated largely on ensuring these features were excavated to a high standard. Consequently, it is possible that late post-medieval intercut, fragmentary or infant/child burials in this area could have been overlooked. The population figures given in the discussion may therefore have a bias towards full adult burials.

7.0 Finds

Finds were relatively few, but were not without interest. They included 27 sherds of pottery weighing 463 grms. All except two sherds were of medieval date. Other finds included a piece of medieval encaustic tile and a copper alloy seal-die of 13th/14th-century date. Full details can be found in the archive.

7.1 Building materials

Three main types of building material were noted on the site, building stone chippings, knapped flint, and clay roof tile. The knapped flint nodules were not collected, but were found mainly near the church, and mostly in redeposited or unstratified contexts. Building stone chippings were found in a number of stratified contexts. One particular pit (context 101) was clearly intended to be used as a dump for mason's chippings. Another pit (context 93) contained a concentrated lens of similar chippings near its east end. This stone was a greenish-grey stone similar to local ragstone found in the Selborne area of East Hampshire. It is to be found in the walls of both aisles and the chancel of Overton church.

Clay roof tile fragments were found residually all over the site, even in 19th-century graves. Only those found in suspected medieval or non-burial contexts were retained. This comprised twelve fragments weighing 735 grms. Their association with medieval contexts suggested that they were used to roof the church during the mainly 14th century building programme. The bishop of Winchester was known to have tile kilns on his Hampshire estates from the 13th century (Hare 1991, 88-89). It would be expected that Overton, being an episcopal manor, would have been able to take advantage of this production.

7.2 Encaustic tile

One corner fragment of a medieval encaustic tile was found in context 98. Its maximum dimensions were 70mm by 67mm by 26mm thick. It contained the remains of a 'key', for attaching it firmly onto a mortar base, in its back portion, suggesting it was of a four- or five-keyed type. The upper portion contained what appeared to be a design depicting part of a trefoil-decorated fleur-de-lis. It is possibly similar to a rare type found at Faringdon, Hampshire (Knapp 1953, 305, no. 52; 308). This is probably of 13th or 14th century date.

7.3 Pottery

Table 1: pottery sherds by fabric type

Fabric type no of sherds % of sherds weight in gms % of weight in gms
TF1 Post-medieval earthenware 1 3.7% 10 2.2%
TF2 Post-medieval stoneware 1 3.7% 5 1.1%
TF3 Sandy flint temper 10 37.0% 90 19.4%
TF4 Coarse flint temper 1 3.7% 30 6.5%
TF5 Moderate sand temper 7 25.9% 165 35.6%
TF6 Fine sand temper 7 25.9% 163 35.2%
Total 27 463 grms

The sandy flint tempered wares (TF3) tended to be crude reduced sherds, probably of an early date, possibly Saxo-Norman (11th-12th centuries). Some showed evidence of impressions made by vegetable material (chaff or grass), further indicating its earlier medieval origin. TF5 and TF6 were similar wares in a sandy fabric, the latter containing a finer sand temper than the other. These were made up mainly of cooking pots and jugs, mainly of a later 13th or 14th century date, although some types might extend into the 15th century. The latest diagnostic pieces are part of what Cunliffe (1977, 134) called the 'Late Medieval Tradition', based on finds from Portchester Castle, Hampshire.

Five diagnostic rim and base sherds were found. These included a large rim fragment of 12th/13th century? cooking pot, another large rim fragment of a slightly later cooking pot (possibly 13th century), and a small fragment of a later medieval bowl. Two other fragments were similar to type pieces found by the author at Southwick Priory, SE Hampshire (Currie 1990, microfiche fig. 14, no. 9; fig. 15, no.12). These included a possible everted cooking pot rim with a pronounced overhanging rim in a fine oxidised sandy fabric. Similar types have been found at Portchester Castle (Cunliffe 1977, 134), and at Oyster Street, Portsmouth (Fox & Barton 1986, fig 32, no.6, p.92; p.90), where they were dated to the 14th century. The other piece was a large fragment of a thumb-impressed jug base in fine sandy fabric with patchy external green glaze. It was dated at Southwick to the late medieval period, possibly the 14th century, although this was not based on exact parallels (Currie 1990, microfiche, pottery report).

7.4 Copper alloy seal-die

A copper alloy object, incised with what appeared to be a hare (or rabbit) motif, with lettering around the outside edge was found in context 98, a suspected 14th-century pit. At first the object was thought to be a button, but closer examination revealed it to be a seal-die. It can be described thus:

A copper alloy seal of hexagonal form with a pierced conical handle. The end of the handle forms a triangular point. Height 175mm, diameter 170mm. Hare (or rabbit) motif in centre, and incised lettering around the rim. The inscription is marked SOHOV IE? LEVET? A number of similar seal-dies of 14th-century date in the British Museum depicting hares, and using the word SOHOV in the inscription. This is apparently a hunting cry (Tonnochy 1952, 152-53). The LEVET may be a reference to the hare. A seal-die of similar shape has been found during excavations on the deserted Scottish burgh (town) of Rattray, Aberdeenshire. This seal was also dated to the 13th/14th century (Goodall 1993, 189; 190 fig. 40, no 180).

It is recommended that this object is published as a note in a relevant academic journal.

7.5 Other finds

Other finds included small quantities of industrial residues. Only one of these could be identified as copper slag (200 grms).

8.0 Archive

The archive for this work has been deposited with Hampshire Museum Services, and has been stored, at the request of the Assistant Keeper of Archaeology, with the archive compiled for the 1994 evaluation (accession number A1995.30). Copies of the report were lodged with the client, the Planning Department of Basingstoke and Deane District Council, the Diocesan Archaeologist, the Hampshire County Council Sites and Monuments Record (SMR) at The Castle, Winchester, Hampshire, and at the National Monuments Record, Swindon, Wiltshire.

9.0 Acknowledgements

Sincere thanks are given to all those involved with this project. In particular, Brian Elkins, the project manager on behalf of the Church Council, the parish priest, the Rev. Nigel Cummings, and all those involved with the project at parish level. Mick Gregory supervised the groundworks, and drove the excavating machine. On the curatorial side, David Hopkins of the Archaeology Section of Hampshire County Council, is thanked for his help and advice on archaeological matters. Ken Qualman acted as archaeological adviser to the diocese.

10.0 References

Original Sources in the Hampshire Record Office:

HRO 81M72/PR3 Overton Parish Registers: baptisms and burials, 1790-1803

HRO 81M72/PR4 Overton Parish Registers: baptisms and burials, 1803-1812

HRO 81M72/PR12 Overton Parish Registers: burials, 1813-69

HRO 81M72/PR13 Overton Parish Registers: burials, 1869-1901

HRO 81M72/PB13 Conveyance of land for extension of the churchyard, 1832

HRO 81M72/PZ5 Overton Parish Records: book entitled 'Record of Memorials and Headstones, St. Mary's Church, Overton'

Secondary Sources:

B Bailey, Churchyards of England and Wales, Leicester, 1987

F Brough, 'Overton', in W Page (ed.), The Victoria History of the County of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, vol. iv, London, 1911, 210-9

M Beresford, 'The six new towns of the bishop of Winchester, 1200-55', Medieval Archaeology, 3 (1959), 187-215

B Cunliffe, Excavations at Portchester Castle. Volume III, Medieval, the Outer Bailey and its defences, London, 1977

C K Currie, 'Southwick Priory fishponds. Excavations 1987', Proceedings of the Hampshire Field Club & Archaeological Society 46 (1990), 53-72 plus microfiche

C K Currie, An archaeological evaluation of the churchyard to the north of St. Mary's Church, Overton, Hampshire, report to Overton Church Council, 1995

E Ekwall, The concise Oxford dictionary of English place-names, Oxford, 1960 (4th ed.)

R Fox & K J Barton, 'Excavations at Oyster Street, Portsmouth, Hampshire 1968-71', Post-Medieval Archaeology, 20 (1986), 31-256

R Goodall, 'Copper alloy objects' pp. 188-194, in H K and J C Murray, 'Excavations at Rattray, Aberdeenshire. A deserted Scottish Burgh', Medieval Archaeology, xxxvii (1993), 109-218

J N Hare, 'The growth of the roof-tile industry in late medieval Wessex', Medieval Archaeology, xxxv (1991), 86-103

Institute of Field Archaeologists, Standard and guidance for archaeological watching briefs, Birmingham, 1993.

G E C Knapp, 'The medieval paving tiles of the Alton area of NE Hampshire', Proceedings of the Hampshire Field Club & Archaeological Society, 18.1 (1953), 289-314

E Roberts, 'Overton Court Farm and the late-medieval farmhouses of demesne lessees in Hampshire', Proceedings of the Hampshire Field Club & Archaeological Society, 51 (1995), 89-106

P Sawyer, Anglo-Saxon charters. An annotated list and bibliography, London, 1968

A B Tonnochy, Catalogue of British seal-dies in the British Museum, London, 1952

Appendix 1: list of excavated contexts, Overton 1998

  1. rectangular cut (grave)
  2. fill of rectangular cut (grave); clay loam (10YR 4/2)
  3. rectangular cut (grave)
  4. fill of rectangular cut (grave); clay loam (10YR 4/2)
  5. rectangular cut (grave)
  6. fill of rectangular cut (grave); clay loam (10YR 4/3)
  7. rectangular cut (grave)
  8. fill of rectangular cut (grave); clay loam (10YR 4/4)
  9. rectangular cut (grave)
  10. fill of rectangular cut (grave); clay loam (10YR 4/3)
  11. rectangular cut (non-burial)
  12. fill of pit; clay loam (10YR 4/2)
  13. rectangular cut (grave)
  14. fill of rectangular cut (grave); clay loam (10YR 4/2)
  15. sub-circular cut
  16. fill of rectangular cut (grave); clay loam (10YR 4/4)
  17. rectangular cut (grave)
  18. fill of rectangular cut (grave); clay loam (10YR 4/2)
  19. rectangular cut (grave)
  20. fill of rectangular cut (grave); clay loam (10YR 4/2)
  21. rectangular cut (grave)
  22. fill of rectangular cut (grave); clay loam (10YR 4/2)
  23. rectangular cut (grave)
  24. fill of rectangular cut (grave); clay loam (10YR 4/2)
  25. rectangular cut (grave)
  26. fill of rectangular cut (grave); clay loam (10YR 4/2)
  27. rectangular cut (grave)
  28. fill of rectangular cut (grave); clay loam (10YR 4/2)
  29. rectangular cut (grave)
  30. fill of rectangular cut (grave); clay loam (10YR 4/2)
  31. rectangular cut (grave)
  32. fill of rectangular cut (grave); clay loam (10YR 4/2)
  33. rectangular cut (grave)
  34. fill of rectangular cut (grave); clay loam (10YR 4/2)
  35. rectangular cut (grave)
  36. fill of rectangular cut (grave); clay loam (10YR 4/2)
  37. rectangular cut (grave)
  38. fill of rectangular cut (grave); clay loam (10YR 4/2)
  39. rectangular cut (grave)
  40. fill of rectangular cut (grave); clay loam (10YR 4/2)
  41. rectangular cut (grave)
  42. fill of rectangular cut (grave); clay loam (10YR 4/2)
  43. rectangular cut (grave)
  44. fill of rectangular cut (grave); clay loam (10YR 4/2)
  45. rectangular cut (grave)
  46. fill of rectangular cut (grave); clay loam (10YR 4/2)
  47. rectangular cut (grave)
  48. fill of rectangular cut (grave); clay loam (10YR 4/2)
  49. rectangular cut (grave)
  50. fill of rectangular cut (grave); clay loam (10YR 4/3)
  51. sub-circular cut (non-burial)
  52. fill of pit; clay loam (10YR 4/3)
  53. rectangular cut (grave)
  54. fill of rectangular cut (grave); clay loam (10YR 4/2)
  55. rectangular cut (grave)
  56. fill of rectangular cut (grave); clay loam (10YR 4/2)
  57. layer; clay loam (10YR 3/2)
  58. undisturbed chalk (2.5Y 8/0)
  59. rectangular cut (grave)
  60. fill of rectangular cut (grave); clay loam (10YR 4/2)
  61. rectangular cut (grave)
  62. fill of rectangular cut (grave); clay loam (10YR 4/2)
  63. rectangular cut (grave)
  64. fill of rectangular cut (grave); clay loam (10YR 4/4)
  65. rectangular cut (grave)
  66. fill of rectangular cut (grave); clay loam (10YR 4/2)
  67. rectangular cut (grave)
  68. fill of rectangular cut (grave); clay loam (10YR 4/3)
  69. rectangular cut (grave)
  70. brick vault
  71. irregular cut (intercutting graves)
  72. fill of intercutting grace cuts; clay loam (10YR 4/3)
  73. rectangular cut (grave)
  74. fill of rectangular cut (grave); clay loam (10YR 4/4)
  75. rectangular cut (grave)
  76. brick vault
  77. rectangular cut (grave)
  78. fill of rectangular cut (grave); clay loam (10YR 4/3)
  79. rectangular cut (grave)
  80. fill of rectangular cut (grave); clay loam (10YR 4/3)
  81. rectangular cut (grave)
  82. fill of rectangular cut (grave); clay loam (10YR 4/2)
  83. rectangular cut (grave)
  84. fill of rectangular cut (grave); clay loam (10YR 4/3)
  85. rectangular cut (grave)
  86. fill of rectangular cut (grave); clay loam (10YR 4/3)
  87. rectangular cut (grave)
  88. fill of rectangular cut (grave); clay loam (10YR 4/3)
  89. rectangular cut (grave)
  90. fill of rectangular cut (grave); clay loam (10YR 4/2)
  91. sub-circular cut
  92. fill of pit; clay loam (10YR 4/2)
  93. large linear pit
  94. fill of pit; clay loam (10YR 4/2), with lenses 5Y 4/2
  95. large irregular cut
  96. fill of pit; clay loam (10YR 4/2)
  97. rectangular cut (grave)
  98. fill of rectangular cut (grave); clay loam (10YR 4/2)
  99. edge of cut
  100. fill of pit; clay loam (10YR 4/2)
  101. rectangular cut
  102. stone-filled pit (5Y 5/2)
  103. large irregular cut
  104. fill of pit; clay loam (10YR 4/2)
  105. large irregular cut
  106. mixed fill, clay loam & redeposited chalk (10YR 3/4; 10YR 4/4; 10YR 8/1)
  107. large irregular cut
  108. fill of pit; clay loam (10YR 5/3)
  109. remains of cut?
  110. fill of pit; clay loam (10YR 4/2)
  111. part of cut
  112. fill of pit; clay loam (10YR 6/3)
  113. large irregular cut
  114. fill of pit; clay loam (10YR 3/4)
  115. sub-circular cut
  116. fill of pit; clay loam (10YR 4/2)
  117. intercutting grave cuts recorded as a group; none cutting chalk
  118. fill of graves (10YR 3/4)
  119. rectangular cut (grave)
  120. fill of rectangular cut (grave); clay loam (10YR 4/4)
  121. irregular rectangular cut; orientated SW-NE
  122. fill of pit (10YR 4/6)
  123. rectangular cut (grave)
  124. fill of rectangular cut (grave); clay loam (10YR 4/3)
  125. rectangular cut (grave)
  126. fill of rectangular cut (grave); clay loam (10YR 4/3)
  127. series of intercutting graves on edge of trench
  128. fill of intercutting graves; clay loam (10YR 4/4)
  129. rectangular cut (grave?)
  130. fill of rectangular cut (grave); clay loam (10YR 4/3)
  131. rectangular cut (grave)
  132. fill of rectangular cut (grave); clay loam (10YR 4/4)

Appendix 2: Monuments and their inscriptions within the area earmarked for the New Rooms in St. Mary's Churchyard, Overton

Readers should refer to the attached plan showing coded numbers. The lines of graves start with line 'A' at the west end of the site, and extend to line 'I' in the east. The original list and plan were supplied by the parish. The brief for the work stated that this had already been undertaken before excavation began. However, the list was not supplied until after work was underway. The original documents can be found in the site archive.

On checking this list, it was found to contain discrepancies with the parish registers, and the 'Record of Memorials and Headstones, St. Mary's Church, Overton' in the Hampshire Record Office (HRO 81M72/PZ5; referred to hereafter as 'Memorials'), against which the list was compared. The list given here is a revised list, with notes where the list of inscriptions contradicts other sources. Doubtful characters are underlined. Only the names on the graves, their dates, ages and their relationships (when noted) are given here. A more detailed reading is given in the original list in the archive.

Those memorials marked with an asterisk * were left in situ, and were not disturbed when it transpired that the area required for the hall was not as great as originally envisaged.

A1 Ann Benjamin Heacht who died .....

A2 George Marshall September 1821, Aged 38 (faint inscription checked with register)

A3 Sarah Marshall 18??

A4 Louis Redstall, 15th January 1900

B1 Tho(mas) Farmer, 1818, aged 72

*B2 Ellen Corrie born 23rd April 1811, died 15th July 1870, wife of Thomas Floud, Rector of this parish & Thomas Floud, for 30 years Rector of this parish, died 9th August 1899, aged 86 years

*B3 Mary Sophia Floud 20th August 1919 & Elizabeth Ann Floud 29th November 1935 & Louisa Floud 10th January 1938, aged 87 years

C1 William Chamberlain, 22nd March 1812 & Sarah (his wife) .... Aged 67 years (The registers list Sarah as buried in March 1819, aged 73; Memorials list the year as 1820)

C2 Fanny Annett, 5th May 1876, aged 87 years (the registers give the year as 1870)

C3 James Hutchins, 20th September 1850

*C4 Harriet Pyle, daughter of George and Mary Pyle, 3rd November 1851

*C5 George & Mary Pyle ..... (the registers list Mary Pyle as buried in May 1853, aged 30 years; a George Pyle was buried October 1863, aged 69 years)

*C6 Charles Smith ... (20th January 1838, aged 56 years) & Elizabeth, his wife, aged 69 years (6th March 1858) & Michael, their son, who died 1856, aged 12 years (Memorials give the year 1836)

D1 Clarissa Lambert, 30th Oct 1878, aged 68 (Memorials give 12th March 1820)

D2 George Small, 30th Oct 1830 %amp; Elizabeth his wife who died 10th February 1871 (registers list an Elizabeth Small buried on 13th February 1823)

D3 Rachel, wife of Daniel Woodhouse, Sept 1857, aged 61

D4 Mary Ann Stevens, daughter of James %amp; Elizabeth Stevens, 1817, aged 18 years

D5 James Farmer, May 1820, aged 61

E1 Edward, son of Thomas Miller of Southington, who died 1832 at Cape Town, Cape of Good Hope %amp; Lewis, second son of Thomas Miller, November 1862, aged 86 years

E2 ....... son of Thomas Miller, March 1867 %amp; illegible inscription on north face (only one body was found in this vault; it is curious that there was no Miller entered into the register for 1867 or 1861, the most likely alternative reading of the inscription)

F1 Robert Purdue, 16th December 1873

F2 Mary Small, September 1790, aged 78 %amp; George Small 18?5, aged 77

F3 Sarah Small, 4th July 1858, aged 79

F4 Thomas Small son of George %amp; Elizabeth Small, 21st January 1875, aged 41 (the registers list Thomas Small as buried 24th June 1825, aged 44 years. This is the more likely reading)

F5 Thomas Miller of Southington, 13th February 1817

F6 William Taplin, late of the White Hart, 6th June 1834, aged 51 (the registers give his age as 55 years)

F7 Sarah, wife of William Taplin, April 1843, aged 70 %amp; Sarah, her daughter, 19th April 1842, aged 26

*F8 Charles Sprent, 1st December 1901, aged 72 %amp; Ellen his wife, 19th October 1920, aged 65

G1 Mary Lamboule, wife of George Lamboule, April 1807 (according to the registers Mary was buried March 11th 1807, aged 41; the Memorials give her age as 18)

G2 George Lamboule, April 1834, aged 76

G3 Sarah, wife of Robert Purdue, 20th April 1815

G4 Robert Thomas, Vicar of Overton, 10th January 1790, aged 62 %amp; Elizabeth Thomas, his wife, 1800, aged 64

G5 Anne, wife of Thomas Venn, 27th December 1863, aged 62 (the registers give the year 1811, which is more likely in light of G6)

G6 Thomas Venn, 21st January 1827, aged 87 (registers give his age as 86, the Memorials list it as 82)

*G7 Edward Higham, child of Charles %amp; Ellen Sprent, 28th March 1884, aged 9 weeks

H1 Sarah Crimble .... (Registers Jan 1831, aged 65)

H2 Charles Crimble, 183?, aged 9 (Registers list Charles Crimble as February 1833, aged 37)

H3 John Crimble, 1857, aged 42

H4 James Crimble, August 1859, aged 93 (Memorials give the year as 1819, the age 95 years)

H5 George Crimble, 27th September 1812, aged 72

H6 Richard Knight, April 1855, aged 48 %amp; Mary, his wife %amp; Ann, daughter of Michael %amp; Sarah Knight, January 1814, aged 8

H7 Elizabeth Sprent, 22nd November 1838

H8 Albert Dixon, 20th June 1864

*H9 Illegible

*H10 Illegible

H11 Sarah, wife of James Crimble, 19th October 1857, aged 89

*I1 Ann Crimble, wife of James Crimble, 10th October 1807, aged 80

*I2 Elizabeth, wife of George Crimble, 1st January 1807, aged 32

*I3 Mary Crimble, 25th August 1803, aged 40 (Memorials give age as 10 years)

*I4 Mary Crimble, 16th May 1823, aged 10 months %amp; Jane Crimble, 26th July 1824, aged 6 months; both daughters of James %amp; Elizabeth Crimble

*I5 Thomas Crimble, 26th August 18??, aged 42 (Memorials give date as 27th August 1795, aged 12 years)

*I6 Elizabeth Crimble, wife of James Crimble, 26th August 1881, aged 88

*I7 James Crimble, 11th November 1869, aged 81

*I8 ...... Pullen, 1869 (no details of a Pullen in the registers for this year)

*I9 Thomas Tedder, December 1811, aged 28

*I10 William, son of Will %amp; Susannah Tedder, 21st September 1814, aged 12

*I11 Sarah, daughter of Will %amp; Susannah Tedder, 5th June 1817, aged 13

*I12 Will Tedder .....

*I13 James, son of Will %amp; Susannah Tedder, 4th August 1872?, aged ...?

Appendix 3: Hampshire County Council brief for the works described in this report