In front panel of sarcophagus is engraved the following:—
Such was the second Drelincourt, a name
Victorious over death and dear to fame;
The Christian’s praise, by different measures won,
Successive graced the father and the son;
To sacred service, one his wealth consign’d.
And one, the living treasure of his mind;
’Twere rash to say whose talent did excel,
Each was so rich, and each improved so well.
Nor was his charity delayed till death,
He chose to give what others but bequeath.
Much though he gave and oft, yet more he meant
Had life proportion’d to his will been lent.
But to compleat a scheme, so well design’d,
Belongs to her who shar’d his bed and mind,
Whose pious sorrows thus to future days
Transmit his image and extend his praise.
The edge of the cushion has the inscription, M. Rysbrack Fecit.
“This monument was erected by his widow, Mrs Mary Drelincourt, before 1731. This elegant piece of sculpture was executed by the famous M. Ruysbrack, and is a noble specimen of his talents. The Dean is represented as recumbent. His attitude is graceful and dignified; and the several parts of the figure harmoniously combine in producing a pleasing unity of effect. The drapery is simply disposed, and so arranged as to excite in the mind of the spectator the idea of a perfect symmetry of form, slightly veiled beneath its flowing folds. The features are strongly expressive of intelligence, mildness, and benevolence, and were peculiarly admired by Dr Drelincourt’s contemporaries for the strong resemblance which they bore to the original.” (Stuart’s Historical Memoirs of the City of Armagh; Newry, 1819; p. 518.)
In 1732 Mrs Mary Drelincourt founded and endowed a school, called the Drelincourt Charity, in Armagh, which still subsists under this name. In Wales there is a charity founded by her called Birse-Drelincourt.
His death is given on his monument as at 7th March 1720; yet his preferments were not filled up till April 27, 1722 (Precentorship), and June 28, 1722 (Deanery). So that I suspect there is a mistake somewhere. Cotton in his Fasti, Vol. V., corrects the date 1720 and gives 1722 instead.
(6). Six Reverend Du Bourdieu’s (pp. 222-226). There was a seventh Rev. Du Bourdieu who founded a good family in Ireland, as to whom see Chapter XXII. The six here memorialized consist of a grandfather, a son, three grandsons, and a great-grandson. The son “John” and the grandson “John Armand” have hitherto been confused in memoirs and in catalogues of authors.
Rev. Isaac Du Bourdieu of Montpellier
died in London, aged above 95.
Rev. Jolin Du Bourdieu
Chaplain to the three Dukes Schomberg,
and Minister in London at the Savoy
Died 1720. = Margaret.
Rev. Peter Du Bourdieu
Rector of Kirby Over-Carr
Rev. Armand Du Bourdieu
Vicar of Sawbridgeworth
Died 1733. = Elizabeth.
Rev. John Armand Du Bourdieu
Rector of Sawtrey-Moynes
Chaplain to Duke of Devonshire
Minister in London at the Savoy
Died 1726. = Esther.
Rev. John Du Bourdieu
Vicar of Sawbridgeworth
(afterwards Vicar of Layton?)
Jacob,
Isaac,
Armand,
Peter,
Charles,
Elizabeth,
Emma.
