Alderman James Simmons

Alderman James Simmons. "James Simmons was Canterbury's leading citizen in the late eighteenth, early nineteenth century. Stationer, printer, newspaper proprietor, seller of patent medicines, distributor of stamps, mill owner, banker, benefactor and reshaper of Canterbury, canal promoter, Captain of the Canterbury Volunteers, Alderman, Sheriff and twice Mayor, M.P. and 'Father of the City', he was a remarkable and doughty man of business, whose work on Canterbury is still to be seen.", The tomb of Alderman James Simmons is here in St Mildred's Churchyard. The inscription is now illegible but the words are reproduced below. St Mildred's Church was founded in Saxon times. It has been in continuous use ever since and is the oldest church within the City Walls., The inscription on his tomb reads:, "In a vault beneath are interred the remains of James Simmons Esq., representative in Parliament for and senior alderman of this city, also master of Maynards Hospital in this parish. He died on the 22nd day of janry 1807. Aged 66 years. The many eminent services that he rendered to this his native city added to the extraordinary ability that he possessed, so raised him in the estimation of his fellow citizens that they with one voice conferred on him the honor of a seat in parliament, the important duties of which it pleased god that he should a very short time fulfil, death rendering the motto of his arms of no further avail.", The motto reads: Vincit Qui Patitur -- Patience Wins, James Simmons was a former pupil of the King's School, Canterbury, and his main legacies can be seen today not only in the layout of the streets but also in the Dane John Gardens, which he donated to the City, the Kentish Gazette, which he founded, and his bank that is now Lloyds Bank in the High Street., The Canterbury Commemoration Society, assisted by the King's School, Canterbury, presented this information board to St Mildred's church in 2024.