Musgrave Vault

The Musgrave Vault is located in the churchyard of St Peter & St Paul.

A Copy of the Faculty to appropriate the Vault or Burying place in the Churchyard of Little Gransden to James Musgrave A. M. Rector, and his Family, and Posterity forever, exclusive of all others.

Wharton Peck Dr. of Laws Chancellor of the Diocese of Ely: To all Christian people to whom these Presents shall come, or may concern sendeth Greeting, in our Lord God Everlasting.

Whereas an humble Petition hath been presented unto us, under the hand of James Musgrave Clerk Rector of the Parish, and Parish Church, of Little Gransden, in the County of Cambridge, and Diocese of Ely; Shewing that the said James Musgrave hath lately Erected and railed about, at his own expense, a Monument or Tomb, in the Church Yard of Little Gransden aforesaid, on the south part of the said Church Yard, beyond the Graves, and near a Common foot path, leading through the said Church Yard; Containing in height above the Ground four feet, and nine inches, and in Length ten feet and an half, and in Breadth ten feet, and that the same is built of Portland Stone having a Marble Front at the East end thereof, whereon is engraved an Inscription in Memory of Catherine Musgrave his late deceased wife, who lies interred within a vault, under the said Monument, or Tomb; And whereas the said James Musgrave hath alleged unto, and before us, that he is very desirous of having the said Monument, and Vault, with the Rails about it, confirmed and ….? appropriated to be a Dormitory or Burying place, for himself, Family, and Posterity, and to their Sole Use forever, exclusive of all others; and to this purpose hath humbly prayed our Licence, or Faculty; We therefore the Chancellor above said, having well

weighted, and duly considered the Premises, have by our Decree, given and granted, and doe hereby, as far as by Law we may, give and Grant, to the said James Musgrave, our Licence, or Faculty to confirm, and Appropriate, the said Monument, and Vault, to be a Dormitory, or Burying-place for him self, and Family, and Posterity forever, and to his and their sole use, and benefit forever, exclusive of all others.

Provided always and it is hereby further decreed, that he the said James Musgrave, and his heirs, & Posterity shall from time to time, and at all times hereafter at his, and their own proper Costs, and charges, so often as need shall require, maintain and keep in good and sufficient repairs, the said Monument, Vault, and place of Burial. And lastley we the Chancellor, aforesaid, doe hereby inhibit, all and every the Rectors of the said Parish, in all time to come, & all other the Parishioners of the said Parish, that from henceforth, they or any of them, shall, or doe not molest, or disturb the said James Musgrave, his Family, or Posterity, in the quiet and peaceable enjoyment, of the said monument, Vault, and Burying-place; nor they, nor any of them doe presume to bury any Corpse, in the said Vault, in any time future, and yet for to come; not deface, injure, or pull down, any part of the said Building, Vault, or Rails, under pain of the Law, and contempt thereof. Given under our Seal this twenty ninth day of January, in the Year of our Lord, one Thousand Seven hundred and twenty eight.

And I make my earnest Request, under my own hand to all the Rectors, which shall be my Successors in the Parish forever, to have a sacred Regard, not to infringe upon my just Title to this said Burial place, nor that they nor any of them, doe ever attempt to open it, or bury therein; and if they doe prohibit any others, to open, bury in insure, order face the same, or any thing belonging to it.

[Signature James Musgrave, Rector]

N.B.

The Original Faculty is in the Custody of the Rvd James Musgrave, and his Family, and hath the Seal of ye Court affixed, upon a three five shillings Stamp; it was read in Form in time of divine service, in ye Parish Church of Little Gransden, without any objection, made agst it, by any one, and it stands Recorded in the Chancellor of Ely Register, in perpetuam rdi memoriam.