The Coffin in the Crypt

The suicide of John Damer, son and heir to Joseph, Lord Milton is attested by a Coroner’s inquest which was widely reported in the press.

A legend has grown up that the coffin in the Damer crypt under the north transept of Milton Abbey, purportedly that of John Damer, did not contain his body but merely some stones. It is alleged that he escaped his debtors to the tune of £70 000 by faking his death.

We have a photo of the coffins in the crypt which is now sealed up,

Roger Guttrdige has given a well referenced account of the story as Chapter 4 of his book Ten Dorset Mysteries.