The York Column stands at the base of
Monument Hill in Weybridge. View to south-west. 23rd December 2008.
The dedication on the monument.
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This
column was erected by the inhabitants of Weybridge and its
vicinity on the 6th day of August 1822 by voluntary contribution.
In token of their sincere esteem and regard for her late Royal
Highness the most excellent and illustrious Frederica Charlotte
Ulrica Catherina, Duchess of York.
Who resided for upwards of thirty years at Oatlands in this
parish, exercising every Christian virtue and died, universally
regretted, on the 6th day of August 1820.
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The York Column at Weybridge. Behind it
is the "Ship Inn". View to north-west. 23rd December 2008.
Frederica, Duchess of York. 1791.
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Frederica
Charlotte Ulrica Catherina
(baptised Friederike Charlotte Ulrike Katharina)
was born in Berlin-Charlottenburg on 7th May 1767 to King
Frederick
William II of Prussia and Elisabeth Christine of Brunswick-Lüneburg.
She married Prince Frederick, Duke of York and Albany on 29th
September 1791 at Charlottenburg Palace, with a second ceremony at
Buckingham Palace on 23rd November 1791.
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The York Column at Weybridge. View to
south-west. 23rd December 2008.
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Frederica was 53
when she died at her home, Oatlands Park at Weybridge on 6th
August 1820. Her burial took place at Weybridge Old Church. Her
chest tomb is by the path between Church Street and the present St
James Church.
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The York Column, looking up Monument
Hill. 23rd December 2008.
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The York Column was
originally a sun dial, located at Seven Dials in St Giles, London.
This was part of a redevelopment scheme by the MP Thomas Neale
following the Great Fire of London. The sculptor was Edward
Pierce.
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The original Seven Dials sun dial.
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The sun dial was
taken down by the City Commissioners in 1773 and the remains were
put into the garden of James Paine, an architect, at Sayes Court,
Addlestone.
Mr Joseph Todd, landlord of the "Ship Inn" organised a
collection which funded the re-erection of the column at its
present location.
It was felt that the dial stone would be too
heavy than was safe, so the column was instead topped with a ducal
coronet. The dial stone was used as a mounting block, and was
latterly moved to the old Weybridge Council offices and then moved
again to the west side of Weybridge library.
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The poem on the York Column. 23rd December 2008.
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Ye
poor, suppress the mournful sigh,
Her spirit is with Christ on High,
In those bright realms of heavenly peace,
Where charity shall never cease,
Her deeds of mercy and of love,
Are registered in courts above.
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The York Column, looking east. 23rd December 2008.
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