JAMES LEGREW AND HIS FAMILY - Part 1

The words "Part of Our History" which were written in 'St Lawrence's Visitors Book last May are partly responsible for this article. I have been intending to write about the Legrew family for some time but the above words goaded me into action. They were written by David Legrew Hesse when he and his wife, Jerri, visited the Ancient Church last Spring. I felt sure that David had to be a descendant of the 19th century Rector of St Lawrence's - the Reverend James Legrew M.A. - but I couldn't write to ask him as the only address entered in the Visitors Book was "Queensland, Australia". However, through the wonders of modern technology and the kind efforts of a friend of a friend I did manage to make contact. David sent me a very impressive family tree and the information I gleaned from him and from various other sources have enabled me to find out more about James Legrew and his family.

James was born on December 16th 1769 in Stewart Street, Spitalfields, London. He was the son of Obadiah and Martha, nee Hesse. Obadiah was a weaver and was descended from a family of Huguenot refugees. James entered the priesthood in 1792 when he was ordained deacon at Norwich on 23rd December. He was priested a year later on 22nd December 1793. In 1792 he became the curate of Wetherden, Suffolk which is where, I assume, he met his wife to be, Elizabeth Harrison. She had been born at Wetherden on 16th January 1771. They had five children: Jemima Anne, 1798; James, 1803; Eliza, 1805; Frederick,1810; Arthur.1812. Sadly, Elizabeth died on 6th September 1825 at Ramsgate, Kent,'after a lingering illness'. This is how her demise is described on her memorial in St Lawrence's church. The lovely monument, which depicts a kneeling woman was made by her son James who became a sculptor. But more of him at a later date.

In 1830 James became Rector of Chaldon church and a year later Rector of Caterham as well. However, the church register shows that he was already an officiating minister at St. Lawrence's in 1797. He was bequeathed the advowson of St Lawrence's by his grandfather, Solomon Hesse, in his will dated 3rd December 1792 and it remained in the family until 1951 when it was relinquished to the Bishop of Southwark under the Advowson Act.

At St Lawrence's we have much to thank James Legrew for. In 1832 he shared the cost of the new church porch and vestry with the Lord of the Manor, Charles Day. A year later he paid £11 for the iron gates and pillars which we still pass through today as we enter the churchyard on the south side of the church. His name is on several pieces of church silver including a flagon given to the church by his family after his death.

James died at Caterham on 5th August 1856 and was buried at St. Lawrence's on 11th August, aged 86.

The Guild of Friends of St. Lawrence's Church
From The Beacon, February 2005

PART 2