William Sargent

Mr. Sargent, who was a man of high character, was known throughout the town and was held in sincere esteem. Almost the whole of his long life had been spent in Rushden. He leaves two sons (Mr. Thomas Sargent and Mr. Alfred Sargent) and two daughters (Mrs. Baker and Mrs. Scott, of Park-road), with the latter of whom he has been living for some years and at whose residence he died. His wife predeceased him by 2½ years.

The Funeral

took place on Tuesday afternoon. The Rev. W. F. Harris conducted an impressive service in the Park-road Baptist Church, the choir being present.

The internment at the cemetery was witnessed by a large congregation. The mourners were Mr. Tom Sargent (son), Mr. A. Sargent (son), Mrs. Baker (daughter), Mrs. Scott (daughter), Mr. and Mrs. John Sargent (brother-in-law and sister-in-law), Mr. Tom Sargent (brother), Mrs. T. Sargent (daughter-in-law), Mrs. A. Sargent (daughter-in-law), Mrs. Bradfield (daughter-in-law), Mr. Baker (son-in-law), Mr. Scott (son-in-law), Mr. E. Sargent, Mr. F. Sargent, and Mr. W. Sargent (grandsons), Miss Ida Sargent, Miss May Sargent, Miss P. Scott, and Mrs. Palmer (granddaughters).

The oak coffin bore the inscription:

WILLIAM SARGENT
Died July 29th, 1905
Aged 79 years

Mr. J. C. Clark was the undertaker.

The Wreaths

were as follows:-

In loving memory of Father, from the family.

In loving memory of our dear grandfather, form Ada, Frank, Polly, and Harry.

In loving memory of an old friend, H. H. and A. E. Darby.

Park-road Baptist Choir – a tribute of greatest respect of its oldest member (for over fifty years).

A new song is in my mouth,
To long loved music set,
and with the saints in glory
The grateful song I’ll raise,
And chant my blissful story,
In chant seraphic lays.

From Fred and Jenny, Walt, and Nell.

With loving sympathy from James and E. D. Billingham.

A similar obituary appears in the Rushden Argus of the same date, has a few additional facts:

Death of a Respected Rushden Gentleman.
It is with great regret that we have to chronicle the death of one of Rushden’s best known and respected residents in the person of Mr Wm Sargent, who was in his 80th year. The deceased gentleman had been living for some considerable time with his daughter (Mrs. Scott) in Park-road, and it was at the residence of that lady that death occurred on Saturday morning at about 8.30. Mr Sargent had been attended by Dr. Baker. Deceased could claim to be an old Rushdenite, as were also his father and grandfather. Brought up in the boot trade from his infancy, he was well known as a good craftsman, being able to make a boot by the time he reached the age of twelve. During the past thirty years, however, he was better known in boot manufacturing circles. The deceased, who had resided in Rushden nearly all his life, leaves two sons and two daughters, Mr Tom Sargent, Mr Alf. Sargent, Mrs. Scott. and Mrs. Baker. His wife died two years last December.

For 56 years he had been connected with the Park-road Baptist choir of which he had taken an active part in the singing. He was the senior member, and was known amongst the singers as “Father Sargent”. Mr Sargent could remember the bass viol, etc., in actual use in the services, although the church was one of the first to adopt the organ. During the last two years, however, he has taken little or no part in the choir.

The funeral ceremony was conducted on Tuesday afternoon, and amid many signs of sympathy and respect. The first portion of the service took place in the Park-road Baptist Church, the Rev W F Harris officiating. The choir were present as a token of respect to their late colleague. The mournful procession then left the church for the graveside, where the Rev W F Harris read the committal sentences. A large number of people were present.

Amongst those present at the graveside were members of the Old Baptist Choir, Mr Charles Green, Mr J S Clipson J.P., Mr Skinner, and Mr T S Clark.