File:Monk window, St Mary and St Helen, Neston.jpg

English: Memorial window to Cdr John Monk RN (1791 - 1880), with difference of arms of Monck of Potheridge, Devon (Earl of Albemarle): Gules, a chevron between three lion's heads erased argent (chevron omitted). By Heaton Butler & Baynes, 1875, in the style of Henry Holiday. Depicts bible stories of Jesus and the sea from Matt. 8:16, 14:22 and 13:2.

From: www.nestonpast.com[1]:

John Monk was born in Parkgate and baptised at Neston parish church on 18th September 1791. Like his brothers, Charles and Joseph, he embarked on a naval career, joining the Royal Navy in 1810 following which he saw active service in closing years of the Napoleonic Wars. He was a midshipman at the Battle of Copenhagen in 1807 and was a veteran of a number of naval encounters in the Mediterranean when he was severely wounded in the Battle of Algiers in 1816, sustaining an injury to one arm and the loss of one eye. He was discharged on half pay and in the years that followed commanded his own ship in trading around the world first with the brig, William Black, John Monk William Black and later the Monk. In 1837 the Monk was lost on the return voyage from Leghorn (Livorno) in Italy. Captain Monk seems to have retired after this and eventually returned to Neston. Both he and his brother Charles took an active part in the celebrations for Queen Victoria’s Coronation and in some of the regattas held at Parkgate. When Neston Parish church was reopened following extensive rebuilding work in 1875 one of the new stained glass windows John Monk window was paid for by John Monk; it features maritime scenes from the bible and is in the west of the church near the font. He outlived his brothers and sisters, finally dying at the age of 89. Sadly, in his latter years he suffered a fall which, according to his doctor, was followed by a mental decline which eventually resulted in his committing suicide on 2nd May 1880. Amongst a number of charitable legacies he left £200 in trust to be used for the benefit of the poor of Neston and Parkgate, to be administered by his nephews William and Charles Brown. His will dated 15th January 1875 was proved at Chester on 21st May 1880. The Charity of Nessie Mathews and John Monk (to give it its official title) is perhaps better known locally as the Mathews Monk Charity. It started in the latter half of the nineteenth century and, unlike some earlier Neston charities, is still continues. It was founded with bequests from Nessie Mathews (nee Monk), who died 12th December 1874 and from her brother John Monk, who died 2nd May 1880. Nessie Mathews and John Monk were brother and sister, children of William Monk, customs officer at Parkgate, and his wife Esther Matthews.