Polar Exploration

Memorial: M4315

Monument at the Church of St John the Baptist, Sutton-at-Hone, Kent commemorating Sir Thomas Smith, HEIC Merchant adventurer and Governor d. 1625

Location

Church of St John the Baptist, Sutton-at-Hone, Kent, England

Transcript

'M.S. / To the glory of GOD and to ye pious / Memorie of the honble Sr THOMAS SMITH / Kt (late GOVERNOVR of ye East=Indian Moscovia / French & Sommer=Iland COMPANIES. TREASVRER for the / Virginian PLANTATION Prime VNDERTAKER (in the year/1612) for that noble Designe the Discoverie of the NORTH= / WEST=PASSAGE. Principall COMISSIONER for the London= / expedition against ye PIRATES & for A Voiage to ye Ryver SENEGA / vpon ye Coast of AFRICA. One of ye Cheefe Comissioners for ye NAVIE= / ROIAL & sometyme AMBASSADOVR from ye Ma:ie of Gr:BRIT. to ye / Emperour & great Duke of RVSSIA & MOSCOVIA &c. Who living / juditiously conscionably & with admirable facility managed many difficult / & weighty Affairs to ye honour & profit of this NATION rested from / his labours the 4 day of SEPTEM 1625 and his Soul returning to / Him that gave it his body was here laid vp in ye hope of a blessed Resurrection' 'From those large KINGDOMES where the SVNN doth rise; / From that rich new found=world that westward lies / From VOLGA to the flood of AMAZONS: / From vnder both the POLES an all the ZONES; / From all the famous RYVERS LANDES & SEAS / Betwixt this PLACE and our ANTE=PODES: / He gott intelligence, what might be found / To give contentment, through this massie ROVND. / But finding earthly things did rather tire / His longing SOVL then answer her desire: / To this obscvred VILLAGE he with drewe: / From hence his Heaunlie VOIAGE did persue: / Here, sumd vp all. And when his GALE of Breath / Had left becalmed in the PORT of DEATH / The Soules frail BARKE (and safe had landed her / Where FAITH his FACTOR and his harbinger / Made place before) He did (no doubt) obtain / That wealth wch here on earth wee seek in vain'

Details

Description: Effigy on sarcophagus flanked by columns, arms between two globes above. '...an epitome of the merchantman's outfit, its antiques' being made up of sextant, quadrant, globe, compass, corded bales, barrels, ships in full sail, a fascinating domed clock with weights indicated the passing of time, and globes marked with maps stand at the head and feet showing the extent of Smiths ventures ranging from the Amazon to the Volga' Esdaile. The navigational instruments are behind the pillars.
Type: Monument

People

Smith, Thomas
Age: c. 67 years
Date of Death: 4/9/1625
Cause of Death: Possibly of plague
Rank / Occupation: Merchant adventurer & Governor
Organisation: East India Company & Virginia Company

Extra

Notes: Merchant adventurer, after whom Smith Sound called. Also known as Smythe.
Bibliography: K. A. Esdaile 'English Church Monuments' (London, 1946) p. 97
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