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1892 - Death of the Rev. H.M. Beckles
We have, with much regret, to record the death of the Rev. Henry McLeod Beckles, M.A., Rector of Heene, which sad event occurred on Wednesday evening last. Although his illness was of short duration, the deceased clergyman had for a long time past been in delicate health. All last winter he was confined to his house, and his first subsequent appearance in Church on Easter Sunday, but he was not able to preach until Trinity Sunday. During the summer months the rev. gentleman kept in very weak health, the unfavourable weather retarding his progress
Last Thursday week he was seized with a cold and influenza, and was again compelled to take to his bed. He became alarmingly ill on Tuesday morning last, and from that time little hope was entertained of his recovery. At that time Mrs Beckles was also suffering from influenza, the severity of the attack entirely precluding her from attending her husband in his sufferings.
Dr. Goldsmith, the deceased's medical attendant, was exceedingly solicitous for the welfare of his patient, and for the convenience of the parishioners and other anxious to hear how their rector was progressing, medical bulletins were regularly posted on the door of the rectory.
The deceased clergyman was in his 46th year - in the prime of life - and he leaves a widow and five children for whom a very widespread sympathy is felt. Mr. Beckles was a son of the Right Rev. Edward Hyndman Beckles (late Bishop of Sierra Leone) and was born in the Island of ...........been a frequent visitor to Worthing, and the aged prelate was present at his sons death on Wednesday last.
The Rev. H.M. Beckles was educated at Corpus Christi College, Cambridge, took his degree in 1860 and his Masters Degree in 1882. He was ordained Deacon in 1869, and Priest in 1870, by the Bishop of Chichester. He at that time was Curate Rev. E.K. Elliott, Rector of Broadwater, having been recommended to reside in this neighbourhood on account of his wife's health. In 1871, he became Curate to the late Rev. W. Read, Chaplain of the Chapel of Ease, which position Mr Beckles held for about two years.
Owing to the development of West Worthing, the urgent need for a church in the parish of Heene became apparent. In bygone years a church had existed in the parish, the register in connection with which dates back as far as 1594, but only a very small portion of the ruins remains. A site for the new church - as near as possible upon the ruins of the old chapel - was presented by the Heene Estate Company, and the church of St Botolph's subsequently erected by public subscription.
The first presentation to the living was in the hands of the Bishop of Chichester, who conferred the appointment upon Mr Beckles - an appointment that gave great satisfaction. The deceased clergyman therefore has held the living for the past 18 years, and his ministrations in the parish during that time have endeared him to the parishioners and members of his congregation.
On Sunday the services were of a character appropriate to the occasion, and the stalls and pulpit were draped with black. At the morning service the pulpit was occupied by the curate, the Rev. D. Jenks, who preached from the text selected by the late Rector as the motto for the year, and on which Mr Beckles would have discoursed on the previous Sunday had he been sufficiently strong: "The Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest." Appropriate hymns were sung during the service, at the close of which the organist played the Dead March. Last evening the body was removed from the rectory into the church, being received at the western entrance by the Rev. D. Jenks and Rev. P. Crick, who preceded it to the chancel, the relatives and others following. Prayer was said by the Rev. P. Crick, and the hymn, "Now the labourer's task is o'er," was sung by the choir.
The Funeral took place this afternoon, the first portion of the solemn impressive Burial Service being commenced at half-past three o'clock. There was a full congregation within St. Botolph's church, whilst outside a considerable crowd had collected, awaiting the appearance of the cortege. Special arrangements were made by the undertaker for the seating of the congregation, the orderly and reverent progress of the ceremony being thus facilitated.
Archdeacon Mount took the chief part in the service, assisted by the Rev. F. Cass, who read the Lesson. The service was choral, Mr W. Binstead presiding at the organ in the absence through illness of Mr. Boyse. Upon the completion of the first portion of the ceremony a procession was formed, the congregation duly observing the request to keep their places until the cortege had left the church.
The Verger, Mr O. Holden, walked at the head. Next came the surpliced choir; after them Mr H. Hargood J.P.., and Mr W. Sams, two of the officers of the church; and then a number of clergy in their robes. The undertaker, Mr E.C. Patching, preceded the coffin, and following the remains were the widow and children of the deceased and various relatives. In passing down the church Mrs Beckles, who is herself in indifferent health, leaned on the arm of her son, and when she reached the door she was placed in a bath chair in waiting. With this exception, those who joined the procession walked the short distance that separates the church from the burial ground.
In addition to Mrs Beckles and her children, the chief mourners included Bishop Beckles (father of the deceased priest), two of the deceased's brothers, and a nephew (Mr Basil Sharpe). After the relatives came the Bell-ringers, and finally the school children, accompanied by Miss Bourn and the assistant mistresses. The clergy present included Archdeacon Mount, and the Revs. F. Class, A.K. Nairne, C.G.Coombe, P. Crick, McKain (Parham), D. Jenks, R.T. Espinasse, C.M. Gale, H.C. Moor, E.W. Taylor-Jones.
In all several hundred persons were present, including most of the leading inhabitants of West Worthing. Dr. Goldsmith, the deceased gentleman's medical attendant, was unavoidably absent through indisposition. On the way from the church to the cemetery near at hand the choir sang the hymn, "For ever with the Lord," and upon the arrival of the cortege within the gates the ceremony was completed by Archdeacon Mount.
The site selected for the grave is just within the ground, immediately to the left of the entrance. The handsome coffin was laden with some exquisite wreaths and crosses, while some scores of these pretty tokens remained behind in the chancel of the church. After the ceremony a muffled peal was rung on the bells.
The whole of the arrangements connected with the internment were carried out with customary efficiency by Mr. E.C. Patching, who personally superintended the proceedings, and was assisted by an ample and capable staff.
Census and miscellaneous information
Living at Yew Villa, Broadwater Street, Worthing, Sussex. Henry M. Beckles, Hd. 25yrs, Curate, wife, Charlotte V. 25yrs, daughters, Elva M. 2yrs, Agnes V. 1month, sister, Mary E. 14yrs, plus 4 domestic servants.
Living at The Rectory, Heene.
Henry Mcs | Beckles | Head | Married | Male | 34 | 1847 | Rector of Heene Sussex | West Indies |
Charlotte V | Beckles | Wife | Married | Female | 35 | 1846 | Wife of rector | Lancashire |
Elia M A | Beckles | Daughter | Single | Female | 12 | 1869 | Scholar | Cambridge |
Agnes V V | Beckles | Daughter | Single | Female | 10 | 1871 | Scholar | Worthing |
Eustace E Mcs | Beckles | Son | Single | Male | 8 | 1873 | Scholar | Worthing |
M E | Beckles | Daughter | Single | Female | 6 | 1875 | Scholar | Worthing |
Cyril | Dodson | Nephew | Single | Male | 4 | 1877 | Infant | Oxford |
Maria | Forhead | Servant | Single | Female | 38 | 1843 | Dress maker | Ford |
Mary Ann | Riddles | Servant | Single | Female | 27 | 1854 | Cook domestic servant | Sompting |
Mary | Tribe | Servant | Single | Female | 28 | 1853 | Housemaid domestic servant | Thakeham |
Sara G Jane | Reeves | Servant | Single | Female | 13 | 1868 | Nursemaid domestic servant | Washington |
Living at The Rectory, St. Botolph's Church, Heene, Worthing. Henry M. Beckles, Hd. 44yrs, Rector of Heene, wife, Charlotte, 44yrs, 4 daughters, Elva M. 22yrs, Agnes V. 20yrs, May E. 16yrs, Margaret W. 9yrs, nephew, Cyril Dodson, 14yrs, plus 3 domestic servants.
Memorial to the late Rector – October 4th, 1892
At the Parish Church on Thursday morning, a two-light west window was unveiled in memory of the late Rev. H. M. Beckles, first rector of the parish. A special memorial service was held, at which the window was dedicated by the rector, the Rev. E. Lambert, and a sermon preached by the Rev. W. N. P. Beebe, of Brighton. The inscription on the window, which has been erected by subscription at a cost of over £200, is: "To the memory of Henry McLeod Beckles, M.A., first rector of this restored parish who for 19 years loyally served God and his people in St. Botolph’s parish, and fell asleep January 6th, 1892, aged 45 years. "
The figures represented are St. Augustine, St. Paulinus, St. Botolph, and St. Wilfred.