Family history memorial in Steep church

On a recent visit to Steep Church, this memorial plaque caught the eye. It is for a family called BAKER of Priors Dean and Ashford and tells the reader where several generations of the family are buried. A good reminder to never overlook that which is in front of us…….

‘In memory of the elder branches of the family of Baker of Priors Dean in the county of Southampton where they had been seated from a very remote period and of Ashford in this parish. They were allied to a very ancient family of Baker of Battle in Sussex.

In the chancel of this church are interred

Thomas who died at the Old Manor House at Ashford Annodom 1515 and Agnes his wife

Jasper and Thomas the son of Jasper and Thomas son of Thomas

William son of Thomas died 1615 and Elizabeth his wife

William eldest son of William and Elizabeth died 1625 and his wife

Richard second son of William and Elizabeth died 1672 aged 81 years and Winifred his wife

Richard eldest son of Richard and Winifred died 1706 aged 76 years and Margery his wife

Richard eldest son of Richard and Margery died 1705 aged 51 years and Elizabeth his wife

In the family vault in Alton Church

William second son of the above Richard and Elizabeth died 1726 aged 42 years and Elizabeth his wife

William eldest son of William and Elizabeth died 1745 aged 56 years and Mary his wife

The intermediate branches are extinct

John youngest son of William and Mary late of Kingston of Thames Gent died 1805 aged 63 years and Mary his wife died 1825 aged 73 years’

Such an intriguing memorial – something all family historians would like to get their teeth into!

Steep Village Booklet

For more information about the ancient village of Steep, we have a Steep village booklet available to purchase either as a printed version or a download. Click here to visit the HGS Shop.