Rev Samuel Cooke
Funeral of the Vicar of Northbourne
Deal, Walmer and Sandwich Mercury 13 January 1877
The Reverend Samuel Hay Cooke, who passed away on the Feast of Epiphany, after a prolonged illness, came to Northbourne in 1870 by exchange with the Rev. Wm. Bennett who succeeded him at Great Budworth, in Cheshire. Mr. Cooke was the eldest son of the Sedleian Professor of Natural Philosophy in the University of Oxford, and graduated in 1839 with high classical and mathematical honours, being a student of Christ's Church. At the decease of his father, he succeeded to the Manor of Beckley, near Oxford, and was not only a generous landlord to his tenants, but with his brother, the Rev. George Cooke, Fellow of Magdalene College Oxford, and other members of his family, built an additional Church on his estate. Mr. Cooke was an eminent student of natural science, and formed collections in botany, shells, and minerals - the last of which before his decease he gave to the Brighton Museum. Mr. Cooke had endeared himself to his parishioners by his kind heart and open hand; and, though stricken by the sickness of which he died, continued to minister in his Church, aided by the Rev. Thomas Wood, up to six weeks before his death. The funeral, which took place yesterday (Friday) at noon, was choral and the administration of the Holy Communion, with the Rev. T. Wood as celebrant, preceded it. The choir of St. Andrew's, with twenty-one Clergy of the neighbourhood, said sentences at the Churchyard gate, and at the grave, in unison with the officiating Minister, the Rev. C.E.S. Woolmer. The Lesson was read by the Rev. M.E. Benson, Rural Dean, who with the Revs. T. Wood, J.B. Harrison, Frank Shaw, J.W. Bliss, and G.C. Caffin, acted as pall bearers. Three hymns were sung, two in Church, and "Jesus lives" at the grave. The whole management of the funeral was committed to the care of Mr. Walker, of Northbourne. The coffin was made by Mr. Walker himself of solid white oak - the lid being coped - and was surmounted by a cross of black oak, with a silver plate as pedestal; the handles and screws were of white metal. The pall was of purple velvet, with white silk cross, and finely worked border; and the ceremony was performed in a most orderly, solemn, and impressive manner. The bereaved widow with six little children was an object of sincere sympathy to the crowd of devout worshippers, and she was attended by a large body of her own and her husband's families. Among the mourners present were Dr. Hughes, the medical attendant, and George Mercer, Esq., the legal advisor of the deceased Philip Hannam, Esq., and the Churchwardens of Northbourne; and from the tradesmen of Deal we noticed Messrs Woodruff, J.M. Browning, W.H. Brown, Kennett, &c.