St Mary's, Upper Froyle The south side of St Mary’s Church in Upper Froyle on a sunny March morning in 2005. In the centre of the picture, tucked up agains the church wall, is a large family tomb.
With the light in the right direction and a bit of squinting, the following inscription can be made out:
In memory of ISAAC ROYALL Esqr, late of Medford in New England, who departed this life October 16th 1781 aged 62. Also in memory of MARY McINTOSH ERVING, daughter of the above ISAAC ROYALL and wife of GEORGE ERVING Esqr, late of Boston in New England and now of this parish. She departed this life November 11th 1786 aged 42.
The question arises as to how Isaac Royall and his daughter came to be buried in a quiet English churchyard thousands of miles away from their home?
But there is more to this mystery inside the church. High on the North wall is the hatchment of Sir William Pepperell who died in London in December 1816. A quick examination of the church records reveals no Pepperell, but there is a Pepperall, and the full entry reads, “Pepperall, Sir William. Buried 27th December 1816. Of London, aged 70.” There is another entry as well, “Pepperall, William Royal. Buried 6th October 1798. The only son of Sir William bart aged 23 years. Died at West Cowes.”
From past experience we have found that there are many differences in the recording of names over the years and so this person is obviously our Sir William, and it explains why his hatchment hangs in the church.
But the story doesn’t end here!
 
North wall interior St Mary's Pepperill hatchmentThe hatchment (shown right in full and left in its position on the wall) is, basically, a diamond-shaped escutcheon bearing the deceased person’s arms.