Page:A History of Horncastle from the Earliest Period to the Present Time.djvu/172

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HISTORY OF HORNCASTLE.
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there was also another son, Frederick, educated under Dr. J. Bainbridge Smith, at the school, who graduated at Oxford, and was ordained deacon in 1860, and priest in 1861. He held a curacy at Basford, Notts, 1860-62; was travelling Chaplain to the Bishop of Brisbane, 1862-65; Curate of Holy Trinity, Westminster, 1866-67; of St. Mary's, Hulme, Manchester, 1867-69; of St. Gabriel's, Canning Town, London, 1869-73; at Dudley, 1874-76; and at Hornsea, near Hull, 1876-85; when he, like his brother Francis, retired to Epsom, and succeeded him as Chaplain to the Union there, until his decease.

William Barton Caparn.

Mr. John Caparn, Chemist, having a shop in the High Street (now occupied by Mr. Herbert Carlton), had a son, William Barton Caparn, who graduated at Brazenose College, Oxford, taking honours, in 1843. He was ordained deacon in 1843, and priest in 1845, in the diocese of Ripon. He became Vicar of East and West Torrington, near Wragby, in 1846, which he held till 1859. He held the benefice, as Vicar, of Drayton, Somersetshire, from 1866 to 1875. Having private means, he gave up that benefice, and became Curate of Angersleigh, in the same county, 1877-79; which he then gave up, and undertook the Chaplaincy of the Taunton Union, and local hospital. These he resigned after a few years, and resided at Taunfield House, Taunton, until his death, April 10th, 1892. He published various minor works; the first being a small volume on Epitaphs, later productions were Meditations to be used in Church before Divine Service; Councils and warnings before and after Confirmation, &c.

George Gilliat, Esq., late of The Wharf, Horncastle, married, as his first wife, Miss Caparn, a sister. Miss Helen Caparn, another sister, married Mr. William Sharples, Surgeon, a partner of the late Mr. T. Snaith, of Horncastle, and one of the first doctors at Woodhall Spa. Mr. Sharples left Horncastle for Wisbech, being appointed by the trustees first resident physician at the hospital founded in that town by Miss Trafford Southwell. Losing an only daughter while there, the shock was so great, that he resigned the post, and removed to Taunton, and took up there the practice of a deceased brother, which he carried on until his death, Feb. 8th, 1897. At Horncastle he resided for some years in the old vicarage, south of the churchyard, afterwards moving to the house next the "Fighting Cocks" Inn, called "Westholme House." For some years he was a very popular Secretary to the Southwold Hunt.

W. H. Benson Brown.

Among more recent natives of Horncastle, who have distinguished themselves, is the son of the late Mr. Robert Brown, of the Market Place. He graduated at University College, Durham, as Licentiate in Theology, 1887, and was ordained deacon in 1890, priest in 1891, holding the curacy of North Ormsby, near Middlesborough; and was appointed Rector of Bucknall, near Horncastle, in 1898, by the patron his father-in-law, the late Mr. James Dunham, Merchant, of Horncastle. He was appointed Inspector of Schools, 1899. Mr. Benson Brown is an energetic worker, has restored his church, adding a carved reredos of oak, a handsome lectern, and filling the east window with good stained glass. He has also introduced various reforms and improvements in the parish.