James was buried on 11 July 1882, his wife died aged 59 years and was buried 5th January in Knighton

Hereford Times - 15th July 1882

FUNERAL OF THE REV. J. R. BROWN AT KNIGHTON.

Deep and widespread was the mourning occasioned in the little town of Knighton by the announcement made late on Saturday evening that death had removed the Rev. James Richard Brown, vicar of Hopesay, from the scene of his earthly toil. Expressions of sorrow were universal, and from the lips of men of all shades of religious thought fell words testifying to the high character of the deceased gentleman, his rare catholicity of spirit, his urbanity, and his un wearying exertions, during his long residence in Knighton, for the spiritual and temporal welfare of those whom he could claim as his parishioners. Everywhere, in the homes of riches and in those of poverty, the many virtues of the late vicar were extolled, and the graces of his Christ-like character feelingly alluded to. This wide-spread feeling of grief, and those flattering testimonies to the character of the departed pastor, were certainly not the result of spasmodic emotions, or attributable in the slightest degree to the generally accepted principle that at the side

of an open grave all the faults of the dead should be eliminated from the mind of the living, and only the good remembered. Beloved in life, his demise was regretted—deeply regretted,—not only by those who attended the ministrations of the Church of which he was so devoted a member, but by people of other Christian denominations, whose conscientious convictions he never was known to slight. A welcome visitor wherever he went, the deceased gentleman never lost sight of the high calling of his office, and he fully deserved the tribute paid to his memory by the present vicar of the parish in his sermon last Sunday evening.

            Born in the year 1808, Mr. Brown, after a course of private tuition, entered Emmanuels College, Cambridge, and in due time he succeeded in obtaining

his M.A degree. Having qualified as a "clerk in holy orders," his first appointment was to the curacy of Presteign, in 1831, He continued his ministrations at this town for five years, when he resigned in order to enter upon his duties as vicar of Knighton, he having been presented to the living. In passing, it may be stated that the patron of the living, the Earl of Powys first offered the charge to a gentleman who many years afterwards was known to the world as Bishop Selwyn, and on his declining to accept It, the patron conferred it upon Mr. Brown. For a period of forty-two years, the deceased gentleman officiated as vicar of Knighton, and after a life spent in endeavouring to advance the spirtual condition of his flock, during which, as before observed, he commanded the respect and esteem of the inhabitants generally, in the year 1879 he accepted the living attached to the rectory of Hopesay. During his tenure of office at Knighton the fabric of the church was re-built, the character of the services was improved, and other desirable changes effected. In 1841, the deceased gentleman also held the living at Bedstone, where his son, the Rev, J. H. Brown, is now labouring.

            The interment was fixed to take place in the family grave-space situate at the north-west corner of Knighton

Churchyard, on Tuesday afternoon. The veneration for the late vicar, held by the inhabitants, was displayed in a manner that could not but be gratifying to the members of the family. Without a single exception the tradesmen, great and small, showed their respect to the deceased, and their sympathy with the sorrowing family, by adopting the universal practice of keeping up two or three shutters the whole of the day, while the occupants of private residences drew the blinds of the windows of their houses.

            The hearse, containing the remains of the deceased, left Hopesay Rectory about half past one o'clock, and arrived at Knighton a little after 4 o'clock. Despite the falling rain, which from daybreak to the gathering in of the shades of night never ceased, the cortege, which consisted of the hearse and three vehicles containing the mourners, was met at the junction of Ludlow road by over a hundred tradesmen and others who walked in procession, and by them escorted along Broad-street, through Wilcomb Place to a point at the top of Wilcomb-street, where the coffin was removed from the hearse, placed on a bier, and carried on the shoulders of four men up Church-street, which was lined on both sides by the populace, to the church, followed by the mourners on foot.

            The coffin, which was shrouded, and which bore several beautiful floral immortelles, was received at the entrance to the churchyard by the Rev.M. H. Ricketts, vicar of Knighton, and the Rev. C. C. Sharp, vicar of Bucknell; and on entering the church the funeral procession was headed by the members of the choir, who wore their surplices. The coffin, having been deposited under the arch of the tower, the procession proceeded down the middle aisle, Miss Woodward, the organist, sending forth from the instrument the solemn strains of "Blest are the departed," from Sphor's Last Judgment. While the congregation, which filled the church in every part, were entering, Miss Woodward played a voluntary, and when all who desired to participate in the service had found seats, the beautiful service for the dead was commenced by the choir rendering the appointed psalms, the first of them to Fenton's burial chant, and the second to one of the minor chants of Hay. The lesson was read by the Rev C. C. Sharp, and then was sung the hymn commencing:-

Now the labourer's task is o'er;

Now the battle day is past;

Now upon the further shore

Lands the voyager at last.

Father, in Thy gracious keeping,

Leave we now Thy servant sleeping.

This concluded the portion of the service within the church, and the clergy, mourners, choir, and congregation proceeded to the grave, Miss Woodward, as they were leaving, playing the "Dead March." The remaining portion of the service having been concluded at the grave side, the choir effectively sang the hymn

Jesus lives! no longer now,

Can thy terrors, death, appal us;

Jeans lives! by this we know

Thou, 0 grave, canst not enthral us.

The coffin was laid In a brick tomb, the gloom of which was somewhat relieved by ferns and wreathe composed of rich flowers.

            Retiring from the grave, in order that the public might inspect the coffin, the mourners took shelter in the church, and shortly afterwards returned to take a final look at the coffin, after which they entered the carriages, and left the town.

            The names of the mourners were : the Rev. J. H. and Mrs. Brown, of Bedstone; Commander Brown, son of deceased; Miss Amy Brown; Mr. and Mrs. Buchanan, Coston Hall; Rev. Ernest Brown, son of deceased, and curate of Hopesay; Rev. E. J. and Mrs. Green, Leintwardine; Mr. J. B. Green, Marlow Lodge; Miss Green, Leintwardine,

            The coffin was made of polished oak, panelled with brass furniture, and the breast-plate contained the following Inscription 

"James Richard Brown, Vicar of Hopeeay, late of Knighton, died July 8th, 1882, aged 74 years."

Messrs. Morris and Co„ of Knighton, were the undertakers, and the funeral arrangements, which were conducted by Mr. John Morris, were most efficiently carried out. The coffin was supplied by Mr. J. Thomas, of Knighton. We understand that the Rev, Mr. H. Rickett, vicar, will make reference to the life and labours of the deceased gentleman in his sermon on Sunday morning.

Probate

The Reverend James Richard Brown late of Hopesay in the county of Salop, clerk, who died 8th July 1882 at Hopesay was proved at Shrewsbury by Charles Panhallow Peters of Knighton in the county of Radnor, Gentleman one of the Executors. Personal estate £2663 15s 6d