A family has tracked down and restored the headstone of their noted ancestor almost 180 years after his death.

Unitarian minister Reverend John Grundy who lived from 1782 until his death in Chideock on May 9, 1843, was buried in the Bridport Unitarian Chapel garden. Three generations of his family visited Bridport recently to unveil his restored headstone.

His descendants took an interest in finding out more about their ancestor after finding portraits of him, and after contacting the chapel Secretary Angelica Kennard, they were introduced to Karl Dixon who agreed to take on the commission to restore the inscription.

Family members Linda Hackett (with Roly the dog), Nigel Hackett, John Gregson, Mia Gregson, Ted Gregson, Rosemary Whaley, Marek Dluski-Miziura, Emma Edney, Chloe Gregson made the journey to Bridport to unveil the restored headstone.

Nigel Hackett said: "We are deeply grateful for the warmth of welcome from the Unitarian community in the Chapel in the Garden at Bridport. Having attended service on Sunday, September 19, we now feel very much at home with new friendships made and look forward to future visits."

Reverend John Grundy received much of his education from his maternal uncle, noted Unitarian Minister Dr John Prior Estlin in Bristol. One of his earliest church appointments was to High Pavement Chapel in Nottingham where was said to be an ‘active as a controversialist and as an advocate of Unitarian view'.

He was later appointed to Cross Street Chapel in Manchester. His lectures there to a society of young men belonging to the congregation is noted to have ‘created in the town such a religious ferment as it had never before witnessed'.

However, his views were not shared by all. Feelings were said to have run so high that “Grundy and no devil for ever” was chalked on the walls of his meeting house. The debate that came, as a result, is known as the Manchester Socinian Controversy.

As his health began to fail in 1835, Mr Grundy retired to Chideock, where it was hoped by his family that the fresh country air, sea, peace, and company of his fellow Unitarians would help improve his health. It is where he stayed until his death in 1843.

Angelica Kennard said: "It was a great honour to host the descendants of Rev John Grundy in our Chapel in the Garden. We are proud of this link to a previous minister of the renowned Cross Street Chapel, Manchester".

The family is also hoping to discover why Chideock became his last home and is grateful to Glenda Willis for kindly offering to help them search.