Sir George Paul's Last Words
Sir George Paul, one of Woodchester's most famous sons, after whose family Paul's Rise is named, left many last words. His will ran to fourteen sheets of paper and later there were codicils. He had strong views.
Towards the end of his will, he directed where he should be buried 'by permission of the Rector of Woodchester'. His grave was to be 'as near to my beloved Father as may be but I request that some remonstrances may be made by my Executors to the Diocese of that Parish to protect my remains and those of my Family laying in that Church Yard from a repetition of those indecent researches? of unfeeling Antiquaries which have of late years been Irreligiously permitted amongst the Tombs of the Dead'. It would appear that Sir George was not a fan of Samuel Lysons!
His illness towards the end of his life, prompted Sir George to add instructions for his funeral in a codicil. There should be 'no other hired carriage than the hearse'. However, there was no expectation that those attending should walk since his friends would 'be more comfortable in their own carriages'. Furthermore, 'Invitation to attend to be confined to my personal friends and neighbours who have enquired after me during my Illness'. He went on to give further instructions for his 'body to be borne to the grave by tenants or servants viz John Wood William Howard or his son William Hall/Hill Butcher John Allaway William Allaway blank Hall and blank Ratcliff together with William ??? if necessary.
I give to them or to such of them or such other persons as shall actually be invited and attend for the said Office the sum of ten pounds apiece for Mourning.' As there is no punctuation in the list of names, it is difficult to interpret whether Butcher is a name or occupation.
Were Sir George's instructions carried out? Presumably they were. The Paul family graves are right alongside the Roman pavement so would definitely have been at risk from further excavations.
Sir George was born Onesiphorus Paul at Woodchester in 1746 and baptised in the old St Mary's Church. His father, Onesiphorus, was a manufacturer of fine woollen cloths in the village and pioneered many improvements in the trade. The young Onesiphorus added George to his name in 1780 and went on to become High Sheriff of Gloucestershire. He was a noted prison reformer, responsible for the building of the new County Gaol in Gloucester, completed in 1791. He died on 16 December 1820 and was buried in the family plot on 23 December.
Sir George Paul, one of Woodchester's most famous sons, after whose family Paul's Rise is named, left many last words. His will ran to fourteen sheets of paper and later there were codicils. He had strong views.
Towards the end of his will, he directed where he should be buried 'by permission of the Rector of Woodchester'. His grave was to be 'as near to my beloved Father as may be but I request that some remonstrances may be made by my Executors to the Diocese of that Parish to protect my remains and those of my Family laying in that Church Yard from a repetition of those indecent researches? of unfeeling Antiquaries which have of late years been Irreligiously permitted amongst the Tombs of the Dead'. It would appear that Sir George was not a fan of Samuel Lysons!
His illness towards the end of his life, prompted Sir George to add instructions for his funeral in a codicil. There should be 'no other hired carriage than the hearse'. However, there was no expectation that those attending should walk since his friends would 'be more comfortable in their own carriages'. Furthermore, 'Invitation to attend to be confined to my personal friends and neighbours who have enquired after me during my Illness'. He went on to give further instructions for his 'body to be borne to the grave by tenants or servants viz John Wood William Howard or his son William Hall/Hill Butcher John Allaway William Allaway blank Hall and blank Ratcliff together with William ??? if necessary.
I give to them or to such of them or such other persons as shall actually be invited and attend for the said Office the sum of ten pounds apiece for Mourning.' As there is no punctuation in the list of names, it is difficult to interpret whether Butcher is a name or occupation.
Were Sir George's instructions carried out? Presumably they were. The Paul family graves are right alongside the Roman pavement so would definitely have been at risk from further excavations.
Sir George was born Onesiphorus Paul at Woodchester in 1746 and baptised in the old St Mary's Church. His father, Onesiphorus, was a manufacturer of fine woollen cloths in the village and pioneered many improvements in the trade. The young Onesiphorus added George to his name in 1780 and went on to become High Sheriff of Gloucestershire. He was a noted prison reformer, responsible for the building of the new County Gaol in Gloucester, completed in 1791. He died on 16 December 1820 and was buried in the family plot on 23 December.