Jebb family

Sir Richard Jebb, physician, and his brothers Samuel and Avery, are buried in the west cloister of Westminster Abbey.

Sir Richard has a monument on the wall but unfortunately the inscription panel has been lost. On a pyramid of white marble is a medallion head within a circular border formed by two snakes and foliage. In a roundel below is an allegorical woman representing the Genius of Medicine holding a cup. The monument is probably by John Bacon. The inscription was recorded in a book of the early 19th century and the Latin can be translated:

Richard Jebb, Knight, Fellow of the Royal Society, Chief Physician to His Most Serene Highness George III, and also to George, Prince of Wales. R.J. erected this in his memory. He died 4th July 1787, aged 58.

The R.J. who erected the monument was probably Richard Jebb (son of John, Sir Richard's cousin) who was made heir to Sir Richard. The coat of arms below the medallion of Sir Richard shows "Quarterly vert and or, in the first quarter a falcon argent, in the fourth quarter a hawk's lure argent" - the arms are hatched not coloured.

Sir Richard was a son of Samuel Jebb (d.1772) also a doctor, and his wife Jane (Lambe). He was born at Stratford in Essex and educated at St Mary Hall, Oxford and in Aberdeen. In 1751 he graduated as Doctor of Medicine and set up his practice in Parliament Street, near the Abbey. Later he was physician to Westminster Hospital and St George's Hospital. A favourite of the King, he was leased land by him in Enfield Chase. In 1778 he was created a baronet - Sir Richard Jebb of Trent Place - and became physician to the King in 1786. He was a patron of the Handel Festival held in the Abbey in 1784 and his name is recorded in this context on a tablet near Handel's monument in the Abbey. He died of a fever on 4th July 1787 while attending the princesses at Windsor and as he was unmarried his title became extinct.

Samuel died unmarried aged 49 and was buried on 11th August 1780. He left an illegitimate daughter Ann Jebb. His grave is unmarked.

Avery died on 30th August 1788 aged 56. He died of injuries sustained in a fall from his carriage. Apparently he was unmarried and had worked for the East India Company. His grave is unmarked.

Further reading for Sir Richard and his father

Oxford Dictionary of National Biography

J.B. Burke "Extinct and Dormant Baronetcies" facsimile edition 1964