- We grieve no more, but with unshaken trust,
Would look beyond this narrow earth-bound view.
God summoned thee, and now His love has given
The rest and the activities of Heaven.
- We grieve no more, but with unshaken trust,
Dorking, Feb. 25, 1851.
James Roper. There have been several occasions in this History in which the name of James Roper has been mentioned, both in smuggling ventures and in racing matches, the latter whilst master of the pleasure yacht British Fair, successively owned by Sir Joseph Planta and Wastel Brisco, Esq. I first knew “Captain Jemmy Roper” when he resided in a cottage leading from the Priory bridge to the Rope Walk near where is now the Queen’s Hotel; afterwards at 12 East parade, and lastly in a shanty on the cliff, immediately behind what is now the Palace Hotel. This was on a site belonging to Mr. Brisco, of Bohemia House — a gentleman who in other ways also took care of his old sailing master. Here might Jemmy Roper be seen smoking his pipe in peace and tending his miniature poultry farm. But on Monday, the 28th of June, this hardy son of the ocean was consigned to a tomb in St. Clement’s churchyard, there being no burying-ground in St. Mary Magdalen parish, at the eastern extremity of which was Roper’s humble abode. His remains were conveyed into the town with public honours, a procession being formed with a sailor bearing the Union Jack, surmounted with crape, followed by the Hastings Band, with additional musicians from Rye, playing the “Dead March”. Wastel Brisco, Esq., his son and the Rev. T. Sproule (first incumbent of St. Mary Magdalen), about thirty of the deceased man’s friends, the hearse and the chief mourners. The burial service was read by the Rev. W. W. Hume (then curate at St. Clement’s and afterwards Incumbent of St. Mary Magdalen). The scene was altogether an impressive one. The band returned from the church about 6 p.m., playing, as is the custom on such occasions, a lively quickstep. The deceased was stated to be 67 years of age, but as he was baptized at St. Clement’s on Dec. 28th, 1782, he must have been in his 69th year.
Inquests
Mary Whiting. The first inquest of the year was on the body of Miss Mary Whiting, who was found dead in bed on the morning of the 8th of March. She was 73 years of age and had lived many years in the service of the Misses Milward. She had suffered for a long time from heart disease, and had been lately living in a dwelling on premises belonging to Miss Milward.
