Friends of Hastings Cemetery

AP A15

In Affectionate Remembrance

of

Harriet

The Beloved Wife of

Spencer Sargent

Who died July 19th 1880

Aged 72 years

A good wife and an affectionate

Mother

Also in Loving memory of

Spemncer Sargent

Husband of the above

Who departed this life

Novr. 20th 1900

In his 98th year

Jesus said , I am the resurrection, and

the life. John XI-25

Spencer and Harriet had a son, Benny in 1838.  He does not appear in the 1841 census.  The 1851 census lists Spencer as living at Broom Grove Farm House, in Ore.

SARGENT   Spencer   Head   M   M   40   Farmer 108 Acr Empl 3men 1 boy   Sedlescomb      

SARGENT   Harriet    Wife    M   F   40                                                    Brede      

SARGENT   Henry      Son     U   M   12   Milkboy (Crossed Out)     Hastings St Clements      

SARGENT   Emily       Dau     -   F   10   Scholar                          Hastings St Clements      

RUSSELL   George   Servnt   U   M   16   Agl Lab

1871

Household Role Sex Age Birthplace

Spencer Sargent Head Male 63 Sedlescombe, Sussex

Harriet Sargent Wife Female 62 Brede, Sussex

Henry Sargent Son Male 32 Hastings, Sussex

Emily Linch Daughter Female 30 Hastings, Sussex

Robert H Linch Son Male 10 Battersea, Surrey

Albert S Linch Son Male 8 Wandsworth, Surrey

George Cramp Servant Male 15 Guestling, Sussex

Harriet died in 1880.

By 1891 Spencer is shown at Ridge Farm, living with his son Henry, Henry's wife and their four children, and six employees, agricultural labourers.

Hastings and St Leonards Observer - Saturday 10 January 1880
FATAL FIRE RIDGE FARM, ORE. MAN, FOUR COWS, AND A GOAT BURNT TO DEATH.

It is very seldom that the quiet village of Ore or the surrounding neighbourhood is roused into a state bordering on excitement by the cry "Fire" but early on Sunday morning last those who resided in the vicinity of Ridge Farm were startled by such an alarm.  The farm is occupied by Mr. Spencer Sargent, and is the property of the Misses Briscoe.........................

Mr. Sargent, who is somewhat advanced in years, and has not enjoyed good health for some time, was almost frantic with excitement.  He had rushed from his house with no other covering than that his shirt, and great difficulty was experienced in restraining him from rushing into the flames to rescue his " poor creatures."....................

The property is insured for with Messrs. Woodhams and Son, Havelock-road, Hastings.  But in farm insurances the apportionment is made according to the " law of averages," so that " the insurance amounts to only one half the value of the goods.  He (the insurer) gets only half his loss."  .....  Mr. Sargent's stock alone amounts more than double the amount of his insurance, and consequently his loss will be only limitedly recouped.  .......   It is impossible yet to estimate the loss.

We cannot close this report without awarding a word of praise to Sections of the Fire Brigade for the promptitude they displayed.  ........everything that could be done, was done to extinguish the flames.

Hastings and St Leonards Observer - Saturday 24 November 1900
DEATH OF MR. SPENCER SARGENT.
We regret to announce the death of Mr. Spencer Sargent, an aged and respected farmer, of St. Helen's, which sad event occurred on Tuesday afternoon at his residence, Ridge Farm, after only four days' illness.  While out walking near the house on the previous Friday Mr. Sargent had a paralytic seizure, from which he rallied, eventually, however, succumbing.  Had he lived till May next Mr. Sargent would have reached the great age of 98.  He had been at Ridge Farm for about 25 years, before which time he occupied a neighbouring farm.  He was a native of Sedlescomb. [sic]  The late Mr. Sargent had survived his wife by some years.  He leaves one son, Mr. H. Sargent, who is at Ridge Farm.  The deceased enjoyed remarkably good health, considering his advanced age, and (as was only recently alluded to in the "Observer") he had the distinction of being the oldest voter who voted for Colonel Brookfield at the county Election.  The funeral takes place to-day (Saturday), at the Borough Cemetery, probably at twelve o'clock.