Will & Inventory of John Palmer, rector, 1662

Palmer was the rector of Nately Scures. He left the White Hart in Reading to his eldest son and another house in Eversley to one of his daughters. To another son he left his musical instruments – a bass and treble viol – and all of the books in his study when he reached the age of 21. His inventory also lists wheat and oats on the glebe as well as cattle.

A memorial to John and his wife Mary was erected c. 1661 in St Swithun’s church, Nately Scures. They lived in the village for some 10 years. The brass plate is on the wall above the recess at the west end. The Gentleman’s Magazine, October 1836, mentions a 17th century brass tablet, presumably this one, as being affixed to the apse wall, so it must have been moved before the 19th century restoration from its original position probably on the floor of the nave.  It reads:

Here lies John Palmer and Mary his wife, prisoner of hope to eternal life who deceased.

Shee October the 13, 1660 aged 50. I went before to ope death’s door, I could not stay but now give way.

Hee May the 15, 1661, aged 61. Mary make room, to thee I come and my last home to the day of doom. Then shall we wake, rise, live for ay with Christ a never dying day. Come then my dear we’ll sleep in blisse and in the dust each other kisse. Twice sixteen years we lived together in sunshine and stormy weather, in wedlock bands husband and wife, in joy, love, peace void of all strife, And ten time changed our habitation and here at last we find our station when after ten years spent we have obtained at length a quiet grave.

Palmer eram ante obitum nemo fit palmifer at nunc

Palmifer in caelis qui modo palmer eram

Palmer on earth are pilgrims such as I

My pilgrimage is done and here I lie