The Monument to Lucretia Betensen (1721 - 1758.
Louis Francois Roubiliac.
In St George's Church, Wrotham, Kent.
For some reason experts in the past have felt that the monument was sculpted or part sculpted by Nicholas Reade the assistant of Roubiliac!
Lucretia Betenson was the daughter of Martin Folkes and Lucretia Folkes nee Bradshaw of Hillington.
She married Richard Betinson in 1756.
Martin Folkes (1690 - 1754) his bust was sculpted by Roubiliac.
"Sacred
to the Memory
of Mrs. LUCRETIA BETENSON the belov'd Wife of
RICHARD BETENSON Esquire only son of Sir EDWARD
BETENSON of this County Baronet. Her early Death
fix'd deep in the Breasts of her disconsolable Friends
an inexpressible and lasting Sorrow, as she was an
affectionate Wife, a sincere and steady Friend; ever
compassionate to the Sorrows and bountifull to the
Wants of her fellow Creatures; In a Word an amiable
Pattern of every christian Virtue; she was Daughter &
Coheiress of MARTIN FOLKES of Hillington in NORFOLK
Esquire who was President of the ROYAL SOCIETY and
distinguish'd by his extensive Learning, among the
brightest Ornaments of the Age."
"This Monument was erected by the Care
and Direction of the aforesaid
Richard Betenson Esquire."
(The National Archives of the UK: PROB 11/838/397)
In the Name of God Amen
This is the Last Will and Testament of me Lucretia Betenson Wife of Richard Betenson of the Parish of Saint George the Martyr in the County of Middlesex Esquire being I bless God in my Perfect Sences and good memory but rather declining in my Health and knowing how transitory and uncertain this Life is and that may please God to call me hence suddenly I do in the humblest manner thereforegive praise and thanks to Almighty God for the many and great Blessings which he has in his Infinite mercy and goodness betowed [sic] upon me and trusting in him for the forgiveness of the many and great Sins I have in this mortal Life committed do with all Resignation and Humility render up my soul to him that gave it and my Body to the Earth from whence it was taken desiring that it may with as Little expence as Possible be Buried where ever my Dear and much beloved Husband Richard Betenson Esquire shall appoint or order
And now for the disposal of my Worldly Affairs which it hath pleased Almighty God to bless me with
It is my Will if I dye without Issue to give my whole Fortune and every thing that I leave to my Dear Husband Richard Betenson Viz the Twelve thousand Pounds which is now in the hands of my Uncle William Folkes Esquire my two Houses in Queen Square all my Plate and Furniture of what kind soever whatever I have in the Funds my China and Pictures in Short every thing I have except One hundred Pounds Yearly which I Will and bequeath to my dear and ever sincere Friend Mrs. Helen Betenson to be paid her quarterly or half yearly as She shall desire and after her death for it to return to my dear Husband Richard Betenson to whom as before mentioned I give every thing to himand his Heirs for ever and for him to dispose of just as he shall think proper I do hereby ratify and confirm this to be my last Will and Testament In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal this Thirteenth day of May in the year of our Lord 1758 -
Lucretia Betenson Signed Sealed and delivered in the presence of W: Heberden W: Watson John Girle.
On the Sixteenth day of June in the year of our Lord One thousand seven hundred and Fifty Eight Administration with the Will annexed of the GoodsChattles and Credits of Lucretia Betenson late of the Parish of Saint George the Martyr in the County of Middlesexdeceased was granted to Richard Betenson Esquire the lawfull Husband of the said deceased and Residuary Legatee named in the said Will (for that no Executor is named therein) having been first sworn duly to administer. Exd.
......................
Church of St Botolph, Aldersgate. City of London.
Monument to Elizabeth Smith, d.1750.
with the poem, beginning ‘Not far remote lies a lamented Fair, // Whom Heav’n had fashion’d with peculiar Care’, and ending sombrely ‘Learn from this Marble, what thou valu’st most, // And sett’st thy Heart upon, may soon be lost.’
It includes a portrait carved in high relief, by Louis-Francois Roubiliac.
http://www.speel.me.uk/chlondon/chb/stbotolphaldersgate/smitheliz1.jpg
..........................
Martin Folkes.
Roubiliac.
The Marble Bust.
Wilton House
The Plaster Bust of Martin Folkes at the British Museum.
1746.
SOCIE REGAL L:OND
PRAESES
MDCCXLIX.
....................
Martin Folkes.
Hogarth.
Image - ©The Royal Society.
Folkes was a noted atheist, and opposed racial prejudice.
Some of his public statements have been interpreted as evidence of a Darwinian
viewpoint. According to the archaeologist William Stukeley, he set up an
Infidels Club in 1720, and caused several young noblemen of the Royal Society
to jeer whenever scriptural material was injected into a scientific debate.
W. C. Lucis (ed), The Family Memoirs of the Rev. William
Stukeley M.D., Surtees Society, 1882, pp 98–100
