A FORGOTTEN ESSEX GARDENER-BOTANIST. 167
guardians of his children, Mr. John Jackson, of Dowgate Wharf,
and Mr. Benjamin Dunn, junr., of Bush Lane, London, had to
appear to attest to his writing. They add that they attended
at his house at Low Leyton, and searched among his papers
and found the Will, but did not find any other paper purporting
to be a codicil to the Will or any other paper of testamentary
nature.
Gilbert Slater was buried with his parents in Hendon church-
yard under a railed armorial altar tomb. On Whit-Monday,
1902, I copied the inscription on the tomb, which is as follows:
Sth side: "Sacred
to the Memory of
Gilbert Slater, of Stepney
in the County of Middlesex,
Obt. 3rd of April, 1785, AE. 73."
And of Rachel Slater,
Wife of the above,
Obt. 10th of May 1788, AE. 68.
Nth side:
"Gilbert Slater
of Low Layton, Ob. 30th October 1793,
AEt. 40.
Maria Jane, Daughter of the Aforesaid
Ob. 23d November 1793, AEt. 3."
E. end:
"Frances Sophia
Daughter of
James H. Slater,
of Newick Park, Sussex.
Ob. May 18th 1835, AEt. II."
On top are the following arms: A saltire for Slater, impaling
a chevron between three birds' heads erased, for Jackson.
The crest is: out of a ducal coronet a demi-eagle displayed.
The College of Arms does not recognise that the family
have any right to this coat.
I might add that a friend, the late Mr. F. R. Crisp, collected
family memorial rings, and he had one for Gilbert Slater, of
Leyton. It was gold, enamelled in black, lined with white,
hall marked, and with the maker's initials "T. M." The
inscription thereon was: "Gilbert Slater, ob. 30 Oct. 1793,
ae. 41." There is a wreath and ribbon book-plate for
"G. Slater" in two states, showing a field argent and a saltire
azure.