MONUMENT TO JOSEPH DAWSON IN THE CHURCHYARD OF ST MARY BOW

MONUMENT TO JOSEPH DAWSON IN THE CHURCHYARD OF ST MARY BOW, BOW ROAD

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Overview

Heritage Category:: Listed Building
Grade:: II
List Entry Number:: 1393149
Date first listed:: 24-Feb-2009
List Entry Name:: MONUMENT TO JOSEPH DAWSON IN THE CHURCHYARD OF ST MARY BOW
Statutory Address:: MONUMENT TO JOSEPH DAWSON IN THE CHURCHYARD OF ST MARY BOW, BOW ROAD

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Official list entry

Heritage Category:: Listed Building
Grade:: II
List Entry Number:: 1393149
Date first listed:: 24-Feb-2009
List Entry Name:: MONUMENT TO JOSEPH DAWSON IN THE CHURCHYARD OF ST MARY BOW
Statutory Address 1:: MONUMENT TO JOSEPH DAWSON IN THE CHURCHYARD OF ST MARY BOW, BOW ROAD

This List entry helps identify the building designated at this address for its special architectural or historic interest.

Unless the List entry states otherwise, it includes both the structure itself and any object or structure fixed to it (whether inside or outside) as well as any object or structure within the curtilage of the building.

For these purposes, to be included within the curtilage of the building, the object or structure must have formed part of the land since before 1st July 1948.

Understanding list entries

Corrections and minor amendments

This List entry helps identify the building designated at this address for its special architectural or historic interest.

For these purposes, to be included within the curtilage of the building, the object or structure must have formed part of the land since before 1st July 1948.

Understanding list entries

Corrections and minor amendments

Location

Statutory Address:: MONUMENT TO JOSEPH DAWSON IN THE CHURCHYARD OF ST MARY BOW, BOW ROAD

The building or site itself may lie within the boundary of more than one authority.

County:: Greater London Authority
District:: Tower Hamlets (London Borough)
Parish:: Non Civil Parish
National Grid Reference:: TQ 37601 82923

Reasons for Designation

The monument to Joseph Dawson is designated for the following principal reasons: * special architectural interest as a high-quality Portland stone monument in the neo-classical style featuring his profile in relief and a draped urn; * of historical interest as a monument erected by public subscription to a local philanthropist, commemorated by a powerful epitaph recording his virtues; * of group value with St Mary's Church and other listed buildings and structures.

Details

788/0/10255 BOW ROAD 24-FEB-09 Monument to Joseph Dawson in the churc hyard of St Mary Bow

GV II Commemorative monument to Joseph Dawson d.1854, built following public subscription. The monument is in a neo-classical style and dominates the entrance to the churchyard; the whole structure is about three metres in height. It is made of Portland stone, on a brick and stone stepped plinth. The base of the monument is moulded in three stages. The inscription faces north, includes a portrait in relief, and reads: TO TRANSMIT / TO FUTURE INHABITANTS / OF THIS PARISH AND NEIGHBOURHOOD / THE MEMORY OF A MAN / WHOSE LIFE AMIDST THE DUTIES / OF AN ARDUOUS PROFESSION / WAS DEVOTED TO THE WELFARE IMPROVEMENT / AND RELIGIOUS EDUCATION / OF THE HUMBLER CLASSES / OF HIS FELLOW CREATURES / THIS MONUMENT IS ERECTED / BY PUBLIC SUBSRIPTION / JOSEPH DAWSON / BORN 14 MARCH 1791 / DIED 25 APRIL 1854. The other three sides are blank. The top stage is made up of a square cornice, with egg and dart and lambs tongue decoration, surmounted by pediments adorned with wreaths and garlands and acroteria to the corners. In the centre at the top is a draped classical urn.

HISTORY: From his epitaph, we know that Joseph Dawson (1791-1854) was committed to improving welfare and the provision of religious education for the people of Bow. According to the 1851 census, Dawson was born in Salisbury, Wilts, and was a school master, living with his wife, Emma, his niece, two lodgers, who were teachers, and a servant at 60 High Street, Bow. Dawson is buried in the churchyard of the parish church of St Mary, which was created in 1825 when surrounding buildings were cleared. Schooling for children in the early C19 was carried out by voluntary organisations run by the church or charities, prior to the 1870 Act decreeing education for all children aged 5-13, leading to the prolific building of schools across the country. Greenwood's 1830 map shows a school to the north of Bow Road, and a workhouse immediately to the north of St Mary's church; Dawson could have been affiliated with either. Likewise an academy is located in between the school and the workhouse on Cross's New Plan of 1850. The Survey of London (1900) notes that the parish of Bromley-by-Bow had once been a pleasant village with 'picturesque C17 and C18 houses with tiled roofs', prior to the industrialisation and urbanisation of the area. As the population grew, and with it the increase in poverty, this might have caused Dawson to embrace philanthropic activities. Dawson's monument is located at the entrance of the churchyard (west end), near to the statue of WE Gladstone.

REASONS FOR DESIGNATION: The monument to Joseph Dawson is designated for the following principal reasons: * special architectural interest as an impressive, high-quality Portland stone monument in the neo-classical style, featuring his profile in relief and a draped urn; * of historical interest as a monument erected by public subscription to a local philanthropist, commemorated by a powerful epitaph recording his virtues; * of group value with St Mary's Church and other listed buildings and structures.

Legacy

The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.

Legacy System number:: 505207
Legacy System:: LBS

Legal

This building is listed under the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 as amended for its special architectural or historic interest.