Biography of Peter Scheemakers 1691-1781

On 25th March 1675 Michael Wharton (age 27) died. He was reputed to be the richest man in England worth £15000 a year. Monument in Beverley Minster [Map]. Sculpted by Peter Scheemakers.

Michael Wharton: Around 1648 he was born to Michael Wharton and Susan Paulett. On 30th June 1666 Michael Wharton was knighted. In 1688 Michael Wharton and Lord Danby secured Kingston upon Hull during the Glorious Revolution. In March 1689 he was appointed Lord of the Admiralty.

In or before 1686 [his father] Pieter Scheemaeckers (age 45) and Catharina Van Der Hulst were married. They were divorced in 1707.

In 1691 Peter Scheemakers was born to Pieter Scheemaeckers (age 51) and Catherine Hennekin.

In 1714 [his father] Pieter Scheemaeckers (age 74) died at Antwerp [Map].

After 26th July 1723. Church of St Michael and All Angels, Edenham [Map]. Monument to Robert Bertie 1st Duke Ancaster and Kesteven (deceased) sculpted by Peter Scheemakers (age 32) and Henry Cheere 1st Baronet (age 20). A Classical Period with Corinthian Capitals supporting open dentilated pediment with garland, urns and putti. Before the Aedicule a rounded Pedestal supports a marble image of the deceased attired as a Roman General.

In 1727 [his half-brother] Henry Scheemakers (age 41) and [his mother] Catherine Hennekin were married.

On 25th March 1733 Captain William Berkeley (age 34) died at sea whilst Commander of Tyger on its journey from Guinea to the West Indies. He was buried at sea. Memorial in the Church of St Mary, Bruton [Map] sculpted by Peter Scheemakers (age 42) in 1749. Berkeley Arms Berkeley Arms beneath.

Captain William Berkeley: Samuel Pepys' Diary. 9th November 1663. So to our discourse, and among and above other things we were taken up in talking upon Sir J. Lawson's coming home, he being come to Portsmouth, Hampshire is come to towne with a letter from the Duana of Algier to the King, wherein they do demand again the searching of our ships and taking out of strangers, and their goods; and that what English ships are taken without the Duke's pass they will detain (though it be flat contrary to the words of the peace) as prizes, till they do hear from our King, which they advise him may be speedy. And this they did the very next day after they had received with great joy the Grand Seignor's confirmation of the Peace from Constantinople by Captain Berkely; so that there is no command nor certainty to be had of these people. The King is resolved to send his will by a fleete of ships; and it is thought best and speediest to send these very ships that are now come home, five sail of good ships, back again after cleaning, victualling, and paying them. But it is a pleasant thing to think how their Basha, Shavan Aga, did tear his hair to see the soldiers order things thus; for (just like his late predecessor) when they see the evil of war with England, then for certain they complain to the Grand Seignor of him, and cut his head off: this he is sure of, and knows as certain. Samuel Pepys' Diary. 18th November 1663. Up, and after being ready, and done a little business at the office, I and Mr. Hater by water to Redriffe, him also to dinner with me to the Globe. Captain Berkeley, who was lately come from Algier, did give us a good account of the place, and how the Basha there do live like a prisoner, being at the mercy of the soldiers and officers, so that there is nothing but a great confusion there. Around 1699 he was born to William Berkeley 4th Baron Berkeley and Frances Temple Baroness Berkeley.

After 23rd November 1733. Monument to John Meller at St Deiniol & St Marcella Church, Marchwiel [Map] sculpted by Peter Scheemakers (age 42).

On 8th April 1737 George Beaumont 4th Baronet (age 73) died unmarried. He was buried at the Church of St Mary and All Saints, Stoughton [Map] where he has a memorial scuplted by Peter Scheemakers (age 46). His brother Lewis (age 64) succeeded 5th Baronet Beaumont of Stoughton Grange in Leicestershire.

On 19th April 1737 Susanna Wharton Lady Newton (age 86) died. She was buried at St Michael's Church, Heydour [Map]. Monument sculpted by Peter Scheemakers (age 46).

Susanna Wharton Lady Newton: Around 1651 she was born to Michael Wharton and Susan Paulett. On 23rd January 1691 John Newton 3rd Baronet and she were married. On 31st August 1699 John Newton 2nd Baronet died. His son John succeeded 3rd Baronet Newton of Barrs Court. She by marriage Lady Newton of Barrs Court.

On 2nd January 1740 Elizabeth "Lady Betty" Hastings was buried at All Saints Church, Ledsham [Map]. Marble monument by Peter Scheemakers (age 49) with statues of her half-sisters Anna Hastings and Frances Hastings either side representing Piety and Prudence.

Anna Hastings: she was born to Theophilus Hastings 7th Earl Huntingdon and Mary Frances Fowler Countess Huntingdon. On 4th July 1750 Anna Hastings died.

Frances Hastings: she was born to Theophilus Hastings 7th Earl Huntingdon and Mary Frances Fowler Countess Huntingdon. On 10th February 1750 Frances Hastings died.

After 5th June 1741. Monument in Church of St Oswald, Methley [Map] to Charles Savile of Methley (deceased) erected by his wife Aletheia Millington (age 59) who was later interred in the same church Sculpted by Peter Scheemakers (age 50).

Charles Savile of Methley: In 1676 he was born to John Savile of Methley and Sarah Tryon. Before December 1719 Charles Savile of Methley and Aletheia Millington were married. On 5th June 1741 Charles Savile of Methley died.

Aletheia Millington: Around 1682 she was born to Gilbert Millington of Felley-Abby in Nottinghamshire. On 24th June 1759 she died.

After 1742. Bradford Cathedral [Map]. Monument to Abraham Sharp died 1742 sculpted by Peter Scheemakers (age 51)

On 6th April 1743 Michael Newton 4th Baronet (age 48) died. Baronet Newton of Barrs Court extinct. He was buried at St Michael's Church, Heydour [Map]. Sculpted by Peter Scheemakers (age 52).

1750. North chapel has monument to Sir John Morris of Hempstead (d. 1750) Admiral of the Fleet by P. Scheemakers (age 59), a marble beast with obelisk behind, inscription tablet below and family shield and crest. Also standing wall monument to Thomas Hallett Hodges d. 1801, an urn bearing sarcophagus in front of truncated pyramid.

On 30th June 1753 George Strode of Parnham died. On 14th September 1746 Catherine Brodrepp died. Monument in Church of St Mary, Beaminster [Map]. Classical Period.

Probably by Peter Scheemakers (age 62), erected by Thomas Strode, brother of George, with reclining figures of a man and woman on a sarcophagus and on either side standing allegorical figures one with a cornucopia the other an anchor, above is an achievement-of-arms.

George Strode of Parnham: George Strode of Parnham and Catherine Brodrepp were married. he was born to Thomas Strode of Parnham.

Catherine Brodrepp: she was born to Richard Brodrepp of Maperton.

Thomas Strdode of Parnham: he was born to Thomas Strode of Parnham.

Around 1755 Thomas Banks (age 19), in his spare time, spent his evenings at the studio of sculptor Peter Scheemakers (age 64).

On 10th July 1759 Catherine Blount Freeman (age 22) died of a malignant fever. She was buried at St Andrew's Church, Wimpole [Map]. Armorial Yorke Arms differenced with a crescent to indicate son of the current holder; her husband Charles Yorke (age 36) with an inescutcheon of Freeman Arms quartered with unknown arms two lions passant guardant with a bordure engrailed.

Stylised sarcophagus in white veined marble, bearing a white inscription panel; above is an urn in brown marble against a grey background standing on a base of three steps around which are grouped three putti: two garlanding the urn while the third stands by in dejection with reversed torch; in front of the steps is a portrait medallion and at the base of the sarcophagus is an achievement of arms; signed 'JAMES STUART (age 46), INVT. PR. SCHEEMAKERS (age 68), SCULP. MDCCLXI'.

Catherine Blount Freeman: Around 1737 she was born to William Freeman of Hamels in Hertfordshire and Catherine Blount. On 19th May 1755 Charles Yorke and she were married. He the son of Philip Yorke 1st Earl of Hardwicke and Margaret Cocks Countess Hardwicke.

From 1760 Joseph Nollekens (age 22) studied under Peter Scheemakers (age 69) in Rome, Italy [Map].

After 6th March 1764. St Andrew's Church, Wimpole [Map]. Monument to Philip Yorke 1st Earl of Hardwicke (deceased) and Margaret Cocks Countess Hardwicke.

Framed inscription panel in white marble surmounted by an enriched sarcophagus in brown veined marble against a grey obelisk to which is affixed an achievement of arms in oval frame; around the base are putti with wreaths and emblems of office; on each side, life-size figures, one of Athene; two medallions on the sarcophagus depict the Earl and Countess; signed 'J. STUART (age 51), INVT P. SCHEEMAKERS, SCULPR (age 73).'

On 20th January 1770 Charles Yorke (age 47) died. He was buried at St Andrew's Church, Wimpole [Map]. Grey marble obelisk on break-front pedestal of white marble with inscription tablet flanked by festoons and frieze carved with emblems of the Chancellor's office; at the base of the obelisk two putti unveil a portrait medallion and at the apex is an achievement of arms; signed 'P. SCHEEMAKER (age 79) Fa^T'.

In 1781 Peter Scheemakers (age 90) died.

St Mary's Church, Preston on Stour [Map]. That on the left signed Richard Westmacott. That in the middle sculpted by Peter Scheemakers and James "Athenian" Stuart.