Francis Parsons (buried 1905)

At a glance

At a glance
Surname: 
Parsons
First name: 
Francis
Other Christian names: 
Henry
Gender: 
Male
Children: 
No
Burial number: 
475
Born: 
0/3/1837
Died: 
23/10/1905
Buried: 
27/10/1905
Occupation: 
Physician and Surgeon;
Distinction: 
P. & O. Physician
Heene Hallmark: 
No
Commonwealth War Grave: 
No

The Grave

The grave
Cemetery area: 
SWS
Cemetery row: 
5
Cemetery plot: 
17
what3words location: 
https://what3words.com/good.saving.ropes
Burial remains: 
Unknown
The headstone
Endowed grave: 
Yes
Headstone description: 
EndowedGrave: Cut grass and keep tidy.
Headstone inscription: 
In loving memory of Francis Henry Parsons M.D. who died October 25 1905 aged 68 years "He giveth his beloved sleep" Also Jane Douglas wife of the above who died September 22 1923 aged 80 years

Life story

Life story

Francis Henry Parsons was born in Northampton, he was baptised on 30th March 1837.His parents were Henry James Parsons, Draper (later Landowner), and Emma, nee Birdsall. Francis had 4 siblings, Alexander Eames b.1840, Lucy Caroline b.1842, Emma Grace b.1845, and Mary Clare b.1846.

Francis studied medicine at Glasgow University and graduated in 1861, MD and CM, (Physician and Surgeon). Early in his career he was employed in the P and O Company's service, he also worked in Warwickshire, Essex, and Sussex.

Francis, aged 31yrs, married Eliza Clifford Smith, 43yrs, on 2nd May 1868 at St. Saviour's Church, Upper Chelsea; she was born in Chelsea where her father, William was a Master Builder and Undertaker. In the 1880s they had set up home at The Hurst, St. Botolph's Road, Worthing, Sussex, but Francis was widowed in 1890 when Eliza died, aged 65yrs. They had no children. Her estate of £6222 9s 4d. (value 2021 - £820K) was administered by Alexander Eames Parsons, solicitor and brother of Francis.

In 1895, on 29th July, Francis, aged 58yrs, married Jane Douglas Lawrie, spinster, 52yrs, at St. Saviour's, Paddington, they then lived at The Hurst, Worthing, where Francis was a prominent member of the community and public figure, having retired from his medical career to involve himself with local good causes.

Francis died on 23rd October 1905, aged 68yrs, whilst staying in St. Leonard's on Sea, Hastings. Probate was granted to Herbert Arthur Booty, accountant, and Henry Alexander Parsons, solicitor, effects £11970 16s 8d. Value 2021 - £1.5m.

Added Information.

Dr. Francis Henry Parsons, of 57, Marina, St. Leonards-on-Sea, whose estate has been valued at £11,970, bequeathed £100 each to the British Medical Benevolent Society, the Royal Maternity Charity, the Edinburgh Medical Missionary Society, All Saints' Convalescent Home, Eastbourne, and the Samaritan Free Hospital, London.

Burial researcher: 
Maggi Martin

Further information

Birth
Date born: 
00/03/1837
Marriage
Marriage 1
Spouse one first names: 
Eliza Clifford
Spouse one last name: 
Smith
Marriage one date: 
02/05/0000
Marriage one address: 
Chelsea, Londonderry, England
Marriage 2
Spouse two first names: 
Jane Douglas
Spouse two last name: 
Lawrie
Marriage two date: 
29/07/1895
Marriage two address: 
Paddington, London, England

Death

Death (details)
Date of death: 
23/10/1905
Age (at time of death): 
68
Cause of death: 
Unknown
Address at time of death: 
St. Leonards on Sea, Sussex, England
Obituary

Obituary – Worthing Gazette Wednesday 1st November 1905.

DEATH OF DR. PARSONS.

In a recent edition of the Gazette, we made mention of the fact that Dr. F. H. Parsons, who had been a resident of West Worthing for many years past, was lying in a serious condition of health at St. Leonards, whither he had gone for a change; and it is now our sad duty to state that he has passed away. His remains were brought back here for internment, the funeral taking place at Heene Cemetery on Friday afternoon. The first part of the service, which was choral, was conducted in St. Botolph’s Church by the Rector, the Rev. J.P. Fallowes.

As a Lecturer and a Writer.

The late Dr. Parsons had lived at West Worthing for more than fifteen years and was very highly esteemed by all who enjoyed his acquaintance. He was a regular worshipper at St. Botolph’s Church and was keenly interested in the Voluntary Schools of the parish. He was also one of the Trustees of the Thomas Banting Memorial Home on the Marine Parade, which was founded under the will, dated 1874, of the late Thomas Banting, an old resident of the town, and is intended for ladies of good social position but of reduced means, recovering from recent illness.

Dr. Parsons, who had not followed his profession for many years, was as well-known at Hastings as at Worthing. He took a prominent part in promoting a series of Health Lectures at the Brassey Institute in the former town and delivered some of them himself. He contributed many interesting articles to various magazines on foreign travel, of which he had personal experience, and the town is indebted to him for a most appreciative sketch of Worthing which appeared from his pen in the Health News in the summer of 1894. He wrote: “To the North and West of Worthing there are miles of shady walks, green lanes, and wooded tracks; whilst the roads are good, and soon dry after rain…… I should consider the climate of Worthing especially suited for patients suffering from debility, paralysis, heart affections, and the various forms of nerve disease which are unfortunately so increasingly prevalent. The free, open exposure to sun, the ozone charged atmosphere, and the absence of cliffs recommend it for such cases.”

In a brief In Memoriam notice the November number of the Heene Parish Magazine says: “Dr. Parsons had been a resident for many years in the parish, and a constant attendant at our Church. His Christian character and philanthropic instincts are pleasant to recall in recording his removal from among us.”

Personal effects
Executors: 
Herbert Arthur Booty status: Accountant: Henry Alexander Parsons status: Solicitor
Probate pounds: 
£11,970

Census and miscellaneous information

Census information
1881 census: 

Living at 143, Mount Pleasant Road, Harting, Sussex. Francis H. Parsons, 44yrs, Physician, MD Glasgow, wife, Eliza Clifford, 49yrs, niece, Eliza Clifford Smith, 16yrs.

1891 census: 

Living at The Hurst, St. Botolph's Road, Worthing, Sussex. Francis H. Parsons, 54yrs, widower, Physician Surgeon, visitor, Emily Davis, 45yrs, widow, living on own means, Florence E. Davis, 12yrs, plus 1 domestic servant.

1901 census: 

Frank Parson's house, The Hurst
Frank Parsons' house, The Hurst, St Botolph's Road, Worthing

 Living at The Hurst, St. Botolph's Road, Worthing, Sussex. Francis H. Parsons, 64yrs, retired Physician, wife, Jane D. 54yrs, plus 1 domestic servant.   (With grateful thanks of Alf Regis for the image.)