Harvey Mausoleum, Devon

Much of the structure of this mausoleum, designed by Harry Hems of Exeter, is sunken in the ground; only the upper part, built in white marble, rises above the level of the churchyard, forming a large square plinth for the tall stone cross. It used to contain an alabaster effigy of Tito, lying asleep, also the work of Hems. But when this began to deteriorate it was moved inside the church where it now is, framed by a simple niche against the north wall.

Some years after this, probably before his mother's death in 1901, another figure of Tito was placed in the mausoleum. It lies on a tomb chest and stands between those of his parents. All three effigies are thought to be the work of the London based sculptor, Albert Toft. The burial chamber, fitted with loculi, lies beyond the one containing the monuments.

There are a number of stained glass windows commemorating members of the family in the church. Above the alabaster effigy, on the north side of the church, is a window dedicated to Tito that includes his portrait. The theme here is Suffer Little Children To Come Unto Me. Next to this is a window commemorating Lady Harvey containing the figure of St Rose of Lima. On the opposite side of the church the window dedicated to Lord Harvey portrays the volcanic landscape of Tarapaca.

Architect

Harry Hems and Sons of Exeter

Style

Listing

Grade II (England and Wales)

Year built

1895

History

Sir Robert Harvey (1847-1930) was born in Truro but travelled to South America as a young man and later became the engineer-in-chief and Inspector General of the nitrate fields in Taramaca for the Peruvian government. He married Alida, Lady Harvey (d.1901) a Roman Catholic, and the daughter of Emile Godefroy of Bordeaux and Lima. In the later 19th century the couple settled in England, where they owned estates in both Cornwall and Devon.

The mausoleum at Harberton was built following the death of their eldest son, Robert Godfrey (Tito) Harvey (1884-1895) at the age of ten. He had been born in Lima but was, at this time, at boarding school in Kent. A year later, his grief stricken father published a private memoir of his son, The Story of the short and joyous life of Robert Godefroy ("Tito") Harvey.