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The Opening of the Watts Vault
as reported in The Wolverton Express - Friday July 26th, 1912 |
| On Wednesday morning the large family vault of the late Squire of Hanslope was opened in preparation for the interment - the last male of his race - in the ancient Parish Church of Hanslope, on Friday afternoon. It appears that the sacred edifice was begun to be built in the year 1300. The vault, which looks strikingly new in appearance, to the crumbling time-ravaged walls of the ancient church, stands to the left of the pulpit and is approached by the left aisle. Seven members of the Watts family rest in the vault, including the first Squire of the name. He - William Watts - was interred the in August, 1764, at the age of 42. His daughter (Amelia Watts) lies next to him. She was the wife of Charles Jenkinson, who after her death - she died at the age of 20 - was the Earl of Liverpool. Near to this young bride is the body of her only son, Robert Banks, who was Baron Hawkesbury. A white marble tablet over the pulpit also informs the visitor that the late Mr. Watts' father was interred in 1853 at the early age of 33. The last time the vault was opened was in 1862, when Mrs. Amelia Watts, an aunt of the Squire now lying dead, was placed in the vault, at the age of 81. |