"fit" exactly on to the capitals. The Chancel roof
is of Fifteenth Century date ; the lesser rafters are
now covered by a plastered ceiling. On the south side
of the altar is a very fine perpendicular piscina,
with Cinquefoil head and a credence shelf. The black
and white paving of the floor was carried out in 1734.
On the south wall is a small Sixteenth Century brass
inscribed in memory of William Cardinal, who
married Faythe, a daughter of Sir Roger Appleton.
There is a slab of Purbeck marble over the tomb of
Sir Wm. and Dorothy Appleton (who died in 1705
and 1719 respectively) ana their two sons ; this bears
an interesting epitaph. The reredos was designed by
Sir Charles Nicholson, Bt., the eminent church
architect, and was painted by his mother, Lady
Nicholson, who at one time resided at Hadleigh House.
The church was reseated and polychromed about the
middle of the Nineteenth Century.
The present font was erected in 1871, when the former
font, put up in 1845, was removed to St. Catherine's
Chapel, on Canvey Island. The central pillar of the
new font formed part of an ancient font belonging
to, and in use in, South Benfleet Church to the year
1844.
During the removal of the old font the floor of the
south aisle was disturbed and there were uncovered
two gravestones, which marked earlier burials in the
churchyard before the construction of the aisle.
One of these gravestones now lies on the floor near the
pulpit. It bears a Thirteenth Century inscription
in Norman French, which may be reconstructed—
ICI [GIT] MARCELIE PR (IEZ PUR S'ALME) ;
Here lies Marcelle. Pray for her soul.
The list of vicars dates from 1309. The Parish
Registers date from 1580 and together with the
Overseers' Accounts are of considerable historical
value and interest. There are many entries relating
to people of Dutch descent, and in 1751, it is interesting
to note, both (he overseers were women. Mention must
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