William Cliffe

In the north cloister of Westminster Abbey is the grave of William Cliffe and his two nieces Mary and Ann Davies. The inscription reads:

The Rev. William Cliffe, M.A. student of Christ Church in Oxford. Born at Mathon in the county of Worcester, Died April the 19 1742 in the 26 year of his age. Here also lie the remains of Mrs Mary Davies daughter of the late Owen Davies Esqr. and of Mary his wife who are both deposited in the adjoining grave. She died January the 24th 1786 aged 46. Also the remains of Mrs Ann Davies sister of Mrs Mary Davies died March the 23 1791 in the 51st year of her age.

He was son of the Reverend Allen Cliffe. Mary, wife of Owen Davies, was William's sister. Brother Robert proved his will and his other brothers were Allen and Henry. Neither Ann or Mary were married - the title Mrs is used in this case to denote Mistress.

[According to a monument in Mathon Church a Henry Cliffe was buried in the cloister in 1695 but nothing occurs in the Abbey burial register]