Location
Set into the floor by the east wall of St. Thomas's Chapel (see Cathedral Plan).
Memorial
Inscription
Translation
IN MEMORIAM
VIRI REVERENDI
BENJAMINIS BURGES ARTIUM MAGISTRI
ERUDITIONE PIETATE PRUDENTIA
MORUM SUAVITATE INSIGNIS
EVANGELII PRÆCONIS FIDELISSIMI
ECCLESIÆ HIC LOCI NUPER
PASTORIS VIGILANTISSIMI
QUIOBIIT 24 NOVEMB ANNODOM 1673
ÆTATISSUÆ 44
VIRI REVERENDI
BENJAMINIS BURGES ARTIUM MAGISTRI
ERUDITIONE PIETATE PRUDENTIA
MORUM SUAVITATE INSIGNIS
EVANGELII PRÆCONIS FIDELISSIMI
ECCLESIÆ HIC LOCI NUPER
PASTORIS VIGILANTISSIMI
QUIOBIIT 24 NOVEMB ANNODOM 1673
ÆTATISSUÆ 44
Translation
In memory of a man to be honoured
Reverend Benjamin Burgess, Master of Arts
outstanding for his learning, holiness
and good sense
a most faithful herald of the gospel
and until recently a most vigilant pastor
of the church in this place
He died on November 24th in the year
of our Lord 1673
at 44 years of age.
Reverend Benjamin Burgess, Master of Arts
outstanding for his learning, holiness
and good sense
a most faithful herald of the gospel
and until recently a most vigilant pastor
of the church in this place
He died on November 24th in the year
of our Lord 1673
at 44 years of age.
Further Information
Benjamin Burgess occupied a unique position in the history of Portsmouth in that he was a major player in the formation of a non-conformist community within the town, one that would have so much influence on its development.
It is therefore surprising that in November 1658 he was appointed Vicar of Portsmouth, but less so that he was ejected from the living in 1662. The curious fact that he was buried in St. Thomas's and suitably remembered there suggests that he either renounced non-conformism before he died or that the church authorities were remarkably tolerant.
See also the History in Portsmouth website.
