Memorial to John Henniker

myminifactory

This is a section scan of an overall monument dedicated to John Henniker, a merchant in leathers and furs and was High Sheriff of Essex in 1785 then elected as MP.  Standing next to his wife's monument (see Truth and Time), this word was erected by his two surviving sons and is signed by the sculptor John Bacon Junior in 1806. The work features the marble relief figures of Virtue (the personification of moral excellence) being crowned with a laurel wreath by Honour.  In Latin, the main sense of honour is ‘reward for excellence’ in the form of esteem, status, or a position. So the message is that Baron Hennicker’s titles and political positions were a just reward for his moral excellence. Below is the portrait relief of Lord Henniker and a relief of Dover Castle. Above, in rays, is 'Sic itur ad astra'. The inscription records: ‘The Remains of The Right-Honourable JOHN LORD Henniker, of an ancient Family in this County, are placed here by his Desire, in the same Vault with those of his beloved Wife Dame ANN HENNIKER. He succeeded to the Dignity of Baronet, by the original Patent, on the Decease of Sir JOHN MAJOR, Bart. in February, 1781, and was created by the Best of SOVEREIGNS, BARON HENNIKER, of STRAFORD-UPON-SLANEY, in the Kingdom of Ireland, in July, 1800. Humble to his GOD, loyal to his KING, Kind to his Relatives, benevolent to All, at the Age of Seventy-nine, in the stedfast Hope of Immortality, he completed a Life of unshaken Integrity, the 18. Day of April, 1803. Piety was in him blessed with Prosperity, This Monument was erected to his Memory by his two surviving and affectionate Sons, JOHN HENNIKER MAJOR, Lord HENNIKER,and the HONOURABLE GENERAL BRYDGES TREGOTHIC HENNIKER.’ - Jacob Scott, Research Guild.