St. Peter's Church is a neat structure, very handsomely fitted up inside.  The nave is Norman.  On the east and west sides of the tower are the marks of a fissure from top to bottom, which, it is said, was caused by an earthquake that occurred in the reign of Elizabeth [I].

Near the altar, a fine monument for Eliz. widow of the Rev. George Lovejoy, Clk. a benefactress to this parish and other places; Lennard Diggs, of Chilham Castle, Esq. one of her executors, caused this monument to be erected.

In the centre of the north chancel there is a low altar tomb, in memory of Manasses Northwood of Dane Court, who died in March 1636.  The slab of Purbeck or Bethersden marble is ornamented with six shields of arms, in addition to the circular inscription and shield in its centre.  Four of these carved shields seem to record the chief alliances of the ancient and eminent family of Northwode, of Milton next Sittingbourne, and of Shepey;  while only two, those at the eastern end or base of the slab, relate to Norwoods of Thanet.  The absence of colour makes it difficult to identify all the coats of arms, but the carved shields are as follows:--

1.  (south-west) Northwode of Milton, impaling "paly wavy of six"

2.  (N.W.) Northwode with a label, impaling paly of six, on a bend 3 eagles displayed (Grandison).

3.  Northwode, impaling a fesse ermine between 6 annulets.

4.  Northwode, impaling a lion rampant, over which a saltire engrailed is superimposed.

5.  Norwood of Dane Court, impaling 3 garbs within a bordure semee of annulets (Kempe).

6.  Norwood of Dane Court, impaling a chevron between three buckles.

The shield of the Norwoods of Dane Court has, in its dexter chief, a wolf's head erased, added to the simple shield (a cross engrailed) of the Northwodes of Milton.  Shield No. 5 is probably intended for that of Alexander Norwood, who married Joan, daughter of ..... Kempe, and widow of Roger Howlett.  Manasses Norwood was the third son of Alexander and Joan.  Probably the sixth shield was that used by Manasses himself who married Elizabeth Badcock.

An old tablet to James Shipton, Clk.

Near the altar, a fine monument for George Lovejoy, who died 9th Jan. 1685; also Eliz. his wife, 1687-8.

A monument for Elizabeth, eldest daughter of Elijah and Elizabeth Mockett, of this parish, and wife of Edwd. Boys, Esq. of Salmston Grange, who died 28th Aug. 1810, aged 41 yrs.

Another to Annabella Bunbury, daughter of Sir Wm. Bunbury, Bart. and wife of George Boscawen, Esq.; born Feb. 14, 1746, died Sept. 24th, 1818.

Another for Ann, wife of Robt Brown, Esq. of Belvidere House Broadstairs, who died 25th June, 1812, aged 41; also three of her children, who died in their infancy.

A tablet for Charlotte, daughter of the late David Stuart, Esq. of Brompton, Middlesex, relict of Jas. Cockburn, Esq. of Lime Street Square, London, who died 11th July, 1822, aged 50.

Near this, one to Anthony Calvert, Esq. who died 20th Nov. 1808, aged 75.

Another to Catherina James, relict of Edmund James Esq. of Ham Common, Surrey, who died at Broadstairs, 31st July, 1815, aged 60.

Also another to Thos. Sheridan, Esq. A.M. author of Lectures on Education, delivered at the University of Oxford, and divers other works, all tending to enlighten mankind; his son was the Rt. Hon. Rich. Brinsley Sheridan.

This tablet was put up in 1823, by a passenger through the Isle of Thanet, in admiration of the intellect, though a stranger to the blood, of the Sheridan family.

A monument for Capt. Rich. Burton, of H. M. 54th Regt. son of Sir Rich. Burton, of Sackett's Hill House, who died at Tritchinopoly, in the East Indies, 8th Jul, 1822, aged 27; also John, eldest son of Sir Rich. Burton, who died Feb. 3d, 1833, aged 29.

A monument to the memory of the Underdown family.

A square monument for Robt. Huggett, Gent. sole heir of the Paulyns, an ancient family of Stone, in this parish; he married Sarah, daughter of Roger Omer of Northdown, Gent. and died 21st Aug. 1751, aged 60; also Sarah his wife, who died 6th March, 1737, aged 53; and Paulyn, their youngest son, who died 23d Oct. 1751, aged 29.

Aa monument for Elizabeth, wife of John Dekewer, Esq. of Hackney, Middlesex, daughter of Alexander St. Barbe, Esq. of Bittirn, in the county of Southampton, who died 8th Aug. 1814; also the above named John Dekewer, Esq. who died 18th Aug. 1818, aged 83.

Near this, one to Mary wife of John Dekewer, Esq. of Hackney, Middlesex, who died 11th Dec. 1748, aged 53; also the above named John Dekewer, Esq. an especial benefactor to this parish, who died 20th Nov. 1762, aged 76.

Near this last, another for John Alexander Dekewer, son of John and Eliz. Dekewer, of Hackney, Middlesex, who died 26th Feb. 1778, aged 10 yrs. and 1 mo. and 22 dys.; and Mary, his sister, who died 11th Jan 1767, aged 5 yrs. and 1 mo.

A monument to the Rev. Roger Huggett, M.A. late Vicar of the ing's Free Chapel of St. George, Windsor, and of Hartley Waspail, Southampton, eldest son of Robt. Huggett, Esq. of Stone, in this parish, sole heir of the Paulyns, an ancient family; he was born there, 8th Oct. 1710, and died at Hartley Waspail, 27th July, 1769; this monument was erected by John Huggett, his only surviving brother; also to Mary, wife of the said John Huggett, who died 13th July, 1780, aged 43; and the said John Huggett, who died 8th Mar. 1783, aged 63.

Another for Sarah, wife of Samuel Lancaster, of London, who erected this monument to her memory; she died 17th Mar. 1792, aged 26.

And another to the Norwoods, of Dane Court, 1636; above it hangs an ancient casque.

In this aisle there is also a brass for John Sackett, 1623.

And one for John Michael Webbe, obt. 15 Jun. 1587.

Sources:

¹  C. Greenwood, comp.  Epitome of County History, vol. 1, County of Kent. (London, England: privately printed, 1838).

²  Archaeologia Cantiana, vol. xii.  (London, England: Mitchell & Hughes, Wardour Street, Oxford Street, 1878.)