On the north side of the Church there is a large monument to commemorate someone who, more than a 100 years ago, did a great work in this area. The inscription on the obelisk speaks for itself:-
In Memory of RICHARD ALFRED HACON, Surgeon, who died 14th August, 1871, aged 29 years.
"This memorial is erected by the voluntary contribution of 1157 subscribers (chiefly of the working classes) in grateful acknowledgement of the careful skill, and unremitting zeal in the discharge of the laborious duties of his calling, and of his unwearying self-denial on their behalf".
Considering the smallness of Higham Ferrers over that period, Dr. Hacon's patients must have included the Rushden area also, together with surrounding villages. He must have worked himself to death in the service of the poor at that time. Their gratitude for this young man's ministration is obvious.
In 1971 a link with the Hacon family existed through an Alfred Hacon Smith, who was then a 100 years old.
The Burial register of the parish reveals that Dr. Hacon was interred on 16th August, 1871, and the service was conducted by the two Curates of the parish, James George and Alexander Dixon. The latter, whose tombstone is in the north churchyard annexe, was Curate here for 26 years, and died in 1877.
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