Friends of Heene Cemetery

At a glance

Surname:

Lephard

First name:

Edmund

Other Christian names:

Gender:

Male

Children:

Yes

Burial number:

265

Born:

0/0/1818

Died:

10/07/1896

Buried:

14/07/1896

Occupation:

Beer Shop Keeper; Alderman; Miller;

Heene Hallmark:

Commonwealth War Grave:

The Grave

The grave

Cemetery area:

Cemetery row:

Cemetery plot:

what3words location:

https://what3words.com/slam.noises.librarian

Burial remains:

Unknown

The headstone

Headstone description:

None Found - Listed in Heene Cemetery Index of Graves

Headstone inscription:

None Found - Listed in Heene Cemetery Index of Graves

Life story

Edmund was born in 1818, Northchapel Sussex, to Edward and Sarah Lephard. Edward worked as a Grocer.

Edmund married Lucy Southerton on 13th September 1841 in Wisborough Green. After they were married they lived in Montague Street running a Beer Shop.

They had 2 children - Edwin Lephard born 7th October 1843 and Elizabeth Lephard born 31st July 1845

Lucy died on the 9th January 1847 and is buried in Christchurch Worthing (source Barrie's Genealogy)

Edmund then married Jane Isted in 1848 in Brighton. Jane was the widow of Edward Isted (born 1804 Horsted Keynes Sussex). Edward owned much land and properties in Worthing, including Heene mill and also Sea Mill (also known as Isted's Mill).

Heene Windmill to the left of a row of houses behind a stone wall

Heene Mill was part of Heene Farm which used to cover a large part of Heene between Heene Road and Wallace Avenue and from Tarring road to the sea. Edward also started Isted's shop in Montague Street, (his Son Edward Henry then took over the running of the business on Edward's death).

Edward Isted and Jane had 5 children- William born 1836 died 1836, Henry born 1837 died 1844, Edward Henry born 1838 died 1886, Theophilus born 1841 died 1847, Thomas born 1843 died 1912. When Edward died on the 24th November 1845 in Ditchling Sussex, he left his entire estate to his wife Jane. With the law of the land at the time, Jane's wealth would automatically become the property of her next Husband Edmund.

Edmund Lephard was one of the first Alderman of the borough of West Worthing, and was elected overseer of the parish in 1868. He farmed many of the lands that were owned by the Heene Estate Land Company, and also worked Heene Mill and associated lands.

Edmund and his family lived at 47 Montague Street Worthing in 1861, and was farming 60 acres. By 1866 they were living at no. 30 Montague Street, and at Heene. By 1871 the family are living at Heene Farm and Edmund is farming 317 acres.

In 1873 a syndicate was formed called the Heene Land Company, three of it's members were George Jonathan Mills, William Wenban Smith and Edmund Lephard. The syndicate was formed to buy considerable lands in Heene for development. Edmund was also associated with the West Worthing Improvement commissioners which was set up in 1865. The Commissioners had the power to improve paving, lighting, drainage, and the cleansing of streets.

Edmund Lephard formed a union with George Jonathan Mills and between them bought land, formed many new roads in West Worthing and built many houses. They began operations by purchasing the land on which Rowlands, Wordsworth and Byron road and the continuation of Shelley Road are made on. They extended Richmond Road and built houses on either side. Some years later they purchased more land to the east side of Heene Road. Edmund bought much property including property purchased on 13th June 1890 from Charles Ford Webb for £400. The plot contained 2 roods and 8 perches, and was situated between Shelley Road and Winchester Road.

Edmund was opposed to the incorporation of the parish of Heene with the district of Worthing, but after the charter had been granted in 1890 he supported the proposal of acquiring Mr H.P. Crofts land at Heene for the purpose of a North-West Park for Worthing.

Edmund died on 10th July 1896, he was visiting a mansion that he had bought with George Jonathan Mills. He was accompanied by a friend called Miss Knight. Edmund had gone upstairs when Miss Knight heard a loud noise, she went upstairs to find Edmund motionless. A Doctor was called but Edmund had died. After a medical examination it was found that Edmund had died from Syncope (sudden drop in blood pressure), consequent on fatty degeneration of the heart.

He left an estate of £19592 2s 4d (1,531,549.00 in 2020). He leaves £20,000 on trust for his Grandchildren, these are the children of his deceased Daughter, Mrs Smith. £50, his household furniture and domestic effects and an annuity of £100 to his wife. A sum, not exceeding £52 10s per annum to pay the rent of any house she may reside in during her life. He made no further provision for her as she had independent means. If his personal estate wasn't sufficient to pay these legacies and annuities, the balance was to be made up from his real estate property. All his real estate and any residue of his personal estate he left to his son Edwin Lephard.

Burial researcher:

Jackie Rooney

Further information

Birth

Date born:

00/00/1818

Marriage

Marriage 1

Spouse one first names:

Lucy

Spouse one last name:

Southerton

Marriage one date:

13/09/1841

Marriage one address:

Sussex, England

Death

Death (details)

Date of death:

10/07/1896

Age (at time of death):

Cause of death:

Syncope

Address at time of death:

Church Farm, Church Road, Heene, Sussex, England

Obituary

Worthing Gazette - 15th July 1896

Sudden Death of Mr Edmund Lephard - One of the pioneers in the development of West Worthing has been removed from amongst us by the hand of death. With terrible suddenness, Mr Edmund Lephard, of Church Farm, Heene, passed to his rest on Friday afternoon. He had gone to Heene House, an unoccupied mansion in Heene Road - which, in conjunction with Mr G.J. Mills, he had purchased along with other property of the late Mr J. Lucas - to see about some repairs that were needed. Miss Knight, a friend, accompanied him. He left her on the ground floor while he went upstairs, but he had not been long out of her sight when she heard a noise of some one having fallen heavily. On going upstairs she found Mr. Lephard lying motionless at the bottom of the landing steps. She ran out of the house and called to her assistance a man named Edward Murray, a person employed by Mr Lephard to do odd jobs, and he coming to where his master lay pronounced him dead. As soon as possible Dr. Bennett-Bailey arrived and ordered the body to be removed to Church Farm.

Two years ago Mr Lephard fell in the road near his residence and was ill for some time after. Medical examination showed that his heart was diseased, and he was enjoined to exercise great control over himself. It is supposed that he was overcome by he heat on Friday afternoon, and that he died from syncope, consequent on fatty degeneration of the heart. Mr A.H. Collet, his medical attendant, was, from his knowledge of the deceased's condition, able to give a certificate of the cause of death, and thus no inquest was necessary, though the Coroner was communicated with as soon as the death was reported.

Mr Lephard leaves a wife and son to mourn for him, and we are sure sympathy will go out from many to them in their bereavement. Mr Edwin Lephard, the son, is Chairman of the West Tarring Rural Council, and one of the Church wardens of that parish, where he has resided several years and made himself very popular.

The deceased gentleman was a self-made man. Step by step he built up a successful career, and was the owner of a considerable amount of freehold property at his death. He was directly associated with Mr G.J. Mills in the advance made by West Worthing after the Heene Estate Land Company and the West Worthing Investment Company had apparently exhausted their funds.

He had previously farmed the lands which had been purchased by these companies, and which comprised about three hundred acres lying between Heene Road and Sea Lane. The result of the union between Mr Lephard and Mr Mills was the opening of new roads, and the building of many detached and semi-detached houses, so that in a year or two an important addition to the residential part of Heene was effected.

They began operations by purchasing the land on which Rowlands Road, Wordsworth, Byron, the continuation of Shelley Road, are made, and on which abut many admirable dwelling houses.

The movement west of Heene Road was also a conspicuous success, and when some years afterwards the same far-seeing pair purchased more land on the east side of Heene Road, no-one doubted that as rapid a transformation as had been seen in Lansdowne, Belsize, Rowland's, and other roads would be brought about.

The extension of Richmond Road, the erection of houses on either side of the thoroughfare, and the construction of other roads, as yet not dedicated to the public, prove that the onward movement which commenced with Mr Mills and Mr Lephard's partnership, knew no check while the latter lived; nor is it probable that it will now be stayed, for Mr Mills, to whom the whole borough owes so much for its development, remains with us to prosecute his never-tiring conversion of land into buildings.

If we were asked to whom West Worthing especially owes the strides it has made in the last quarter of a century, we should say Mr Mills, Mr Lephard, and Mr G. Hewer, the last-named quite as progressive, perhaps as the former.

Mr Lephard was a member of the old Board of Commissioners at West Worthing, having previously for several years held the office of Overseer of the Parish, to which he was elected in 1868, at which time, and for some years after, it does not appear that he was an owner of any property in the parish.

Mr Lephard was strongly averse to the incorporation of the parish of Heene with the district of Worthing, but his opposition did not amount t active hostility, and after the charter had been granted he supported the proposal of acquiring the late Mr H.P. Croftsland at Heene for the purposes of a North West Park for Worthing. The deceased gentleman, who was in his 79th year, was a director of the Worthing Gas Company.

The Funeral

Relatives and friends assembled at the graveside yesterday to offer a last tribute of respect. The coffin containing the remains was carried the few yards that separate the deceased's residence from the Church of St. Botolph, where, as well as at the Cemetery, a little later, the service was conducted by the Rev. J.P. Fallowes (Rector of the parish).

From the church to the burial ground is, again, but a short distance, and the body was borne thither by the undertaker's staff, the mourners following on foot. Mr F.W. Patching (of the firm Messrs. Patching and Co.) personally supervised the funeral arrangements, which lacked no element of completeness. The body was encased in a very handsome coffin of polished oak, with lid and plinth moulding, brass handclips, and set of solid brass casket furniture. The engraved brass plate attached to the lid bore the accompanying inscription: Edmund Lephard, died 10th July 1896, aged 78 years

Immediately following the remains were Mr and Mrs Edwin Lephard (son and daughter-in-law of the deceased) Mr W.W. Smith (son-in-law), Mr Lephard, jun. Miss Lephard. Mr W.H. Smith. Mr F Smith, and Miss Smith, and Messrs. E.H. Isted, F.C. Isted, and R.C. Isted (grandchildren). Mr Lephard's association with the Gas Company was marked by the presence of his co-Directors and the Company's officials, consisting of Mr H.H. Gardner (Chairman), Mr. F. Blaker, Alderman E.C. Patching, Mr S. Lee Rymer, and Mr Cheeswright, members of the Board; Mr W.F. Verral, Secretary; and Mr W.A. Walker, Manager. Others present consisted of Dr Strong, J.P., Alderman Melvill Green, Messrs. A.H. Collet, F.G. Gates, E. Harrison, G.J. Mills, C.C. Cook, R. Grevett, H.H. Nichols, G. Hewer, J. Town, W. Skindle, H. Nash. W. Sams, jun, C.A. Sennett, R. Fielden Taylor, A Symons, E. Sheppard, Chief Officer Ling, Mrs Mills, Mrs Skindle, Miss Witcomb, etc. About twenty floral wreaths and crosses were sent by sorrowing relatives and friends, some of these touching gifts being of a very handsome description. The inscriptions attached to them were as follows: "In loving remembrance, from his sorrowing widow" "In loving memory, from his affectionate son and daughter, Edwin and Lizzie Lephard" "From all his loving grandchildren" "In loving remembrance, from W. Wenban Smith" in loving memory, from W.N. and E.R. Streeter, Ascot" "In affectionate remembrance, from John and Lizzie" " With sincere sympathy and condolence, from Catherine and Ernest" Form Mrs Isted and family, with sincere sympathy" "With Mr. And Mrs. G.J. Mills's kind regards and sympathy" "In token of esteem and great regret, Miss Naylor and Miss Maude E. Naylor" "With Mr. and Mrs. T. Bushby's sincere sympathy" "With deep regret for one so good and kind, Miss Whitcomb and Miss M. Whitcomb" "With Mr. and Mrs. Ousey's deepest sympathy" "In kind remembrance, from Mr. and Mrs. Sams" Miss Clara Knight, with deepest sympathy" "With Mr. and Mrs. Lanagan's sincere and deepest sympathy" "Mr. and Mrs. Williams, in memory of a dear friend" "Miss Hope and Miss E. Hope, in kind remembrance" "Mrs Staunton F. Longbottom's deep sympathy" "With deep sympathy, from Mr. and Mrs. C.A. Sennett" "In affectionate remembrance and sympathy, from Mrs E. Wilson"

The actual place of internment was a plot of ground immediately east of and adjoining the spot where lie the remains of the deceased's daughter (Mrs W.W. Smith), whose death took place in 1883.

Personal effects

Probate pounds:

£19,592

Census and miscellaneous information

Census information

1851 census:

4 Gloucester Place, Montague Street Worthing

Edmund Lephard (Head) age 35, Jane Lephard (Wife) age 41, Edward Lephard (Step-Son) age 12, Thomas Lephard (Step-son) age 8

1861 census:

47 Montague Street, Worthing

Edmund Lephard (Head) age 43, Jane Lephard (Wife) age 50, Edwin Lephard (Son) age 17, plus 1 servant

1871 census:

Heene Farm, Worthing

Edmund Lephard (Head) age 53, Jane Lephard (Wife) age 61, Edwin Lephard (Son) age 28, plus 1 servant

1881 census:

Manor Farm, Heene, Worthing

Edmund Lephard (Head) age 63, Jane Lephard (Wife) 71, plus 1 servant

1891 census:

Church Farm, Church Road, Heene, Worthing

Edmund Lephard (Head) age 73, Jane Lephard (Wife) age 81, Edwin Lephard (Son) age 48, Thomas Isted (Step-Son) age 49, plus 1 servant

Miscellaneous information

Brighton Gazette - Thursday 17th June 1847

COUNTY INTELLIGENCE - WORTHING

County Court - this court was held on Monday. Since the previous court the fittings necessary for the accommodation of the different parties concerned had been provided by Mr C Hide, the Town Surveyor; and the improvement in the appearance of the Hall was undeniable.

Henry Wicks v Edmund Lephard - This was an action for damages in assault. The plaintiff is a housepainter in Montague Street, Worthing and the defendant is a retailer of beer in the same street. - Mr W.F. Tribe appeared for the plaintiff, and Mr Edmunds for defendant.

Plaintiff examined - I remember the evening of the 22nd April very well. I was at the Spaniard with a friend. Tuff, Lucas, and Lephard were there. I was drinking rum and water. Whilst my friend was gone out, Lephard took his gin and water, and poured it into my rum and water. I said "What's that for? You ought to be ashamed of yourself." He replied, "You're as frightened of me as a child is of a mouse. I could thrash you whenever I pleased." I said, "If you meddle with me, I'll take the law of you as sure as ever you're a man." Defendant was sitting at a distance.

Mr Tribe - Upon the last remark, what did he do?

He screwed my nose. I said, "Very well; that's sufficient. You shall hear of it another day; and if you meddle with me again, I'll knock you down." He then took hold of my nose, and I was obliged to strike in self-defence. We struggled; and I fell on my left side, against a table, to the ground. We both fell. the fight lasted nearly half an hour. Every time, as he was coming at me, I knocked him down. Lephard at last said he would have no more of it.

Mr Tribe enquired of the plaintiff if he was unable to work in consequence of the assault?

Plaintiff - Yes, for a month; and I cannot do any hard work now. My usual earnings are 30s. a week. I have since been obliged to hire a man at 24s., and still hire him.

Have you seen Lephard since the assault? - Yes; he said he was very ill, and very much requested me to go and see him. He told me he was very bad.

Were you ribs broken? - Yes.

Were there any other remarks? He said he was tipsy, and did not know what he was doing.

Do you still feel hurt? Yes.

Mr Edmunds - During the evening, did you challenge Lephard to fight? - No.

Di you not put down a sovreign? - You're talking about after the fight was over. I did put down three, and offered to fight him at Chanctonbury Ring next day.

It is not a rule that if you get drunk, or into a scrape, that the Spaniard Club refuse you relief? - Yes.

When you applied, what answer did you get? - They refused to allow me support.

How many times did you knock Lephard down? Fourteen or fifteen; and he me only once.

You punished him severely, then? - I hit hard; and I punished him most.

Mr Edmunds - You were excessively drunk,, perhaps.

Did you say you had not animosity against Lephard? - Nor have I now.

William Lucas, of Chapel Street, confectioner, stated he was not certain, but believed, that Lephard screwed Wick's nose.

Which attacked the other? - They both attacked each other.

Cross-examined - I suppose you considered it a fair stand up fight? - Yes.

Sit down then. (Laughter)

James Tuff, Landlord of the Spaniard, stated that he saw Lephard screw Wick's nose twice. They fought directly. He (witness) ran to save the glasses; the tables and chairs were broken. Could not distinguish between drunk and sober in some people. Was a pretty good judge too, but not as regarded Lephard. They appeared both to be fresh. Considered it a fair stand-up fight. Lephard was punished most; he had not the shadow of a chance.

Mr J.H. Perry, surgeon, deposed that two of plaintiff's ribs were fractured, and there were bruises and contusions about him. Plaintiff was unable to work for four or five weeks, and now was not capable of laborious work. His charge for attendance would be two guineas.

Mr Edmunds declined calling any witnesses in defence, and told the jury that they must clearly see defendant was entitled to a verdict. Mr Edmunds concluded by saying that he expected the Jury would testify their disapprobation of such conduct as Wick's, by giving a verdict for the defendant.

The Judge, in summing up, observed that if the Jury were satisfied that the assault took place previously to Wicks's challenging Lephard, then this act did not justify the assault; and whatever plaintiff might have done subsequently was no justification.

The Jury being unable to agree in court, retired, and shortly returned. Verdict for the plaintiff; damages, one farthing.

West Sussex Gazette 29th March 1855

An entry under the heading of WORTHING - VESTRY MEETING shows a meeting at Broadwater Church regarding the nomination of officers as Overseers. Edmund Leppard was proposed by Mr Streeter and Seconded by Mr Ballard.

Overseers had four duties: Estimate how much poor relief money was needed in order to set the poor rate accordingly; Collect the poor rate; Distribute poor relief; and Supervise the poorhouse.

Worthing Gazette 15th October 1890

THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE EASTFIELD ESTATE

Heene fields, devoted for a long series of years to the cultivation of vegetable products for Brighton and other markets, now wear an altered aspect, their pastoral character having almost entirely disappeared. the builder is abroad, and the next generation will witness rows upon rows of substantial villas where cabbages once flourished. The projected improvements naturally include the provision of suitable highways, and in the making of these necessity for the continued existence of the footpaths that have so long done service will entirely cease. But public rights are affected, and before Messrs. Lephard and Mills, who are interested in the development of this portion of the estate, can complete their scheme, various legal formalities must be observed, leading up to an application to the Court of Quarter Session in January next for the final confirmation of the alterations. The assent of the ratepayers in the parish affected is a necessary condition, and accordingly a Vestry meeting specially summoned for the purpose was held at St Botolph's Church on Thursday morning. About a dozen inhabitants were present, these including Messrs. C.L.M. Teesdale, J.P., J.F. Hardy, H. Tribe, C.A. Sennett, H.M. Clark, R. Fielden Taylor, R. Shotten, W. Sams, W.W. Smith, T. Bushby, J.T. Ashling, and C. Fibbens (Assistant Overseer); and Mr Charles (from the office of Mr Melvill Green, legal adviser to Messrs. Lephard and Mills) was also in attendance. Mr Teesdale was voted to the chair, a letter having been received from the Rector (the Rev. H.M. Beckles) informing the Vestry that he was not sufficiently well to be present. The procedure that had been adopted was the service of a notice upon Mr. T. Bushby, Surveryor of Highways, requiring him to take necessary steps to assemble the parishioners, he being furnished with a statement of the nature of the proposals. This voluminous document was now read to the meeting by Mr Clark, on of the Churchwardens, plans being submitted to assist in the elucidation, and a verbal explanation tendered by Mr Charles. The path - a decidedly convenient one - that starts from Park Crescent and proceeds in a north-westerly direction to Heene Lane is among those whose use will be discontinued, but the roads that will be substituted for it will meet every requirement, and will it was stated at the meeting, make a difference of less than a hundred yards in the journey taken between the points specified. Mr Hardy suggested a trivial alteration of one of the proposals, which will hae the effect of preserving an outlet northward from his gate. Mr Smith regarded the proposition as a very fair one, and Mr Charles assented to the suggested alteration, to meet Mr, Hardy's wishes. Mr Sennett then moved that the Vestry assent to Messrs. Lephard and Mills's proposal to divert and stop up the paths, this being seconded by Mr Sams and unanimously agreed to. Mr Hardy remarked that Mr Lephard had done much for the district that he thought they ought to support him in every way; and personally he was very pleased to see these improvements being carried out. Then the meeting terminated with a vote of thanks to Mr. Teesdale for his conduct in the chair. The locality will now be viewed by two Justices, and although objection may if desired by taken by individual ratepayers in the parish, the assent given by the Vestry will have the effect of strengthening the application to be made to the Court of Quarter Sessions by Messrs. Lephard and Mills.

THE LOCAL BOARD EXPRESS NO OPINION

At an adjourned meeting of the Worthing Local Board, this evening, the General Purposes Committee will present a report in which they recommend: "That the Board express no opinion with reference to the notice received by the Surveyor from Messrs. Lephard and Mills of their desire to stop up and divert certain footways in the Eastfield in the Parish of Heene, and to substitute certain proposed new roads for the same."

Worthing Gazette - 29th October 1890

To the Burgesses of the West Ward of the Borough of Worthing.

Ladies and Gentlemen, I beg most respectfully to solicit your vote and interest at the forthcoming election. After many years of active life, and having served on the Local Board and as one of the West Worthing Commissioners, I should rejoice to see an improvement in the management of affairs in our district through its becoming part of the Municipal Borough.

I am probably known to most of you, and from the part I have taken in developing the West Ward, I feel it is not necessary to address you at any great length. I am certainly in favour of the very best sanitation, and the improvement, or removal, of those slums which, if allowed to remain as they are, must be highly injurious to our town.

I also cannot help saying, though interested in some of the property, I should look upon it as a great mistake if a suitable piece of land were not secured for a recreation ground, now that it probably can be obtained at a moderate price.

Should you do me the honour of sending me as one of your representatives, I shall endeavour to do my duty for the whole district,, feeling, as I do, that the interest of one part should be the interest of all. I am strongly of opinion that every effort should be made to promote that which would conduce to the convenience, comfort and amusement of the visitors, especially believing that it would certainly add to the number of residents, which I deem is of the highest importance to the continued prosperity of our Borough.

I have the honour to remain, Your obedient, servant, Edmund Lephard

Church Road, Oct. 13th. 1890

Worthing Gazette 14th October 1896

Will of The Late Mr. Edmund Lephard

The will (dated March 5th 1889), with two codicils (dated April 18th 1899 and February 26th 1896) of Mr Edmund Lephard, of the Manor Farm, Heene, who died on July 10th, was proved on September 11th by Edwin Lephard, the son, Henry Humphrey Gardner, and Melvill Green, the executors, the value of the personal estate being £19,592. The testator gives £20,000, upon trust, for his grandchildren, the children of his deceased daughter, Mrs. W.W. Smith; £50, his household furniture and domestic effects, and an annuity of £100 to his wife, and such a sum, not exceeding £52.10s. per annum, to pay the rent of any house she may reside in during her life. He states that he has made no further provision for her, she having independent means. Should his personal estate not be sufficient to pay the above legacies and annuity, the balance is to be made up from his real property. All his real estate and the residue of his personal estate he leaves to his son, Edwin Lephard.

Edmund Lephard (buried 1896)