Unexpected Discoveries at the Bazalgette Mausolem
A few weeks ago, the Bazalgette Team were overseeing some important investigation work at the Bazalgette Mausoleum.
In order to develop the conservation programme, we needed to know more about the condition of the structure, both underground and underneath a section of modern brickwork at the rear of the monument.
We started the day by digging the first trial pit to the left of the stairs. All the works were completed with hand tools to minimise disruption in the churchyard.
The first surprising thing we unearthed was one of the missing iron finials that had originally topped the iron railings around the mausoleum.
About 3 feet underground, there it was! We have no idea how long it was down there, or how it ended up there, but it was an exciting discovery. On further inspection, we think we have found evidence of the original paintwork that has been painted over on the railings above ground.
At the bottom of the trial pit, we also found evidence that the nearby historic badger sett (now empty) had made its way to the foundations of the mausoleum. They had not caused any damage to the monument, but an underground tunnel was found, and you could fit your whole arm into it! They had clearly been busy building their underground network.
We then moved on to the modern extension. We are still not entirely sure when it was added but we now know more about the materials used and the condition of the vault underneath.
The second trial pit, to the south of the mausoleum (right hand side), was begun after lunch and here is where we found another unexpected discovery.
We were unable to dig to the depth we wanted because just below the surface, was a buried ledger stone.
This grave is 40 years older than the Bazalgette Mausoleum which was built for John Anthony Rucker in c.1802. It also predates the graves on the other side by much longer – nearly 100 years.
We partially uncovered the stone, revealing the names of a Mr Thomas and Mrs Sarah Sawkins.
The stone reads:
Here lyeth the Body of
Mr Thomas Sawkins late
of this parish who departed
this life June the [5th ] 1762
Aged 70 years
Here also lyeth
Mrs Sarah Sawkins wife
of the said Mr Thomas Sawkins
who died July 23rd 1773 aged 75
From a quick graveside search we found out that:
- Thomas Sawkins (c.1692-1762) was buried at St Mary’s Church on Tuesday 8th June 1762.
- On 21st September 1723, Thomas Sawkins of St Clements and Sarah Gagg (c.1698-1775) of Croydon, had been married at St Leonard’s Church in Streatham.
- Thomas and Sarah were both born during the reign of William and Mary, were married during the reign of George I and died during the reign of George III.
We do not know when their grave was covered, it is likely that it happened gradually over a long period of time. The time spent underground has protected the stone from the elements is one reason the carved lettering has survived in such good condition. It was decided with the church that the grave would be re-covered to keep it safe, and a full photographic record has been created.
Graveyards and historic monuments are always fascinating places to work and they often bringing unexpected challenges.
We are continuing to work with specialist conservation architects and structural engineers to find the best way to conserve and stabilise the Bazalgette Mausoleum for future generations.