Stephen Edward Parker 1819 - 1916

'Deal Walmer and Sandwich Mercury' 18 March 1916

Death of a Nonagenarian

The death occurred on Saturday last, of one of the oldest inhabitants of Deal. Mr. Stephen Edward Parker,[1] who, at the advanced age of 96 years 4 months, passed away at the residence of his youngest and only surviving daughter, Mrs. Hayward of 58 Gilford Road.

Mr. Parker was born at Cold Harbour Farm Northbourne in 1819 only four years after the battle of Waterloo, and thus had lived in the reigns of no less than six English sovereigns. He was a member of an old Kentish yeoman family, well known throughout East Kent and in his earlier years was engaged on his father's farm. For a number of years Mr. Parker carried on the business of mineral water manufacture at Upper Deal, near the site of the old turn-pike toll house. On his vans he advertised his business as that of the "original ginger beer manufacturer" and his business was a fairly extensive one. Mr. Parker however was more widely known for his skill in treating the complaints of animals, and his services in a veterinary capacity were in demand in all parts of Kent. For a few years he was a member of Deal Town Council, and his advice was naturally valuable in connection with the Corporation horses. He was a man of extraordinary vitality, having a naturally strong constitution and his was a proud distinction that he had no occasion to call in the services of a doctor for upwards of 50 years. Indeed not withstanding his advanced years he was active up till about two years ago, since when he had been confined to the house with asthma. Before this he was regularly in the garden at six in the morning. He bore his illness with splendid fortitude, and was always grateful for any act of kindness. One of his chief delights during this period was the fact that his grandson Gunner Stanley Walker Hayward of the R.G.A. [Royal Garrison Artillery], now stationed in Egypt, was fighting for his country it being a great source of satisfaction to the old man that "his boy was doing his bit." in the present conflict.

The late Mr. Parker relinquished his business in 1902 and went to reside with his daughter Mrs. Hayward who was the licensee of the Antwerp Hotel, Beach Street. From which she retired in 1905. Mr. Parker going with her, and living there till his death. When the late King Edward VII, at the age of 3 years, was staying at Walmer Castle with Queen Victoria the state of the infant prince's health was such that Dr. Hulke (Grandfather of Dr. F.B. Hulke and Dr. S.B. Hulke) was called in and he prescribed for the royal patient ass's milk, recommending that it should be obtained from Cold Harbour Farm, which was at the time the only farm in the neighbourhood from which the milk could be obtained. The late Mr. Parker, then with his father at the farm named, was deputed to bring the donkey to Walmer Castle, where he milked it in the presence of the royal visitors. The duty he continued to discharge daily as long as the royal party remained at the Castle, guests of the Duke of Wellington. Mr. Parker was proud to think that he had some share in preserving the life of one who was destined to be King of England.

Besides his daughter Mr. Parker leaves two sons John and George, both of whom reside in London. The funeral took place on Wednesday afternoon last at Deal Cemetery, the Rector of Deal Rev. R. Patterson, (R.D.) conducting the service of his aged parishioner. The mourners were Mr. John Parker (Kensington), eldest son; Mr. George Parker (Balham), youngest son; Mr. Wood (Maidstone); Mr. Blackett (Ramsgate); Pte. J. Hubert (Canadian), and Mr. Jas. Dewell (Deal). Among the floral tributes were a cross and wreath from his sons John and George; "In loving memory" from his loving daughter and grandson; "In loving memory from Ted and Clara; "In loving memory and sincere sympathy" from Mr. R. Greenstreet and Pte. Hubert; "In fond remembrance of an aged friend" from Mr. Charles Leonard Cooley, Halifax, Nova Scotia. The funeral arrangements were carried out by Messrs. S. Mockett and Son of Upper Deal.

See other members of Parker family and emigration to Australia.

Note
[1] - Stephen Edward Parker was the son of John Parker (1793-1866) and Hannah (1790-1865), daughter of Thomas and Sarah Kite of Eastry. Stephen Edward Parker is the nephew of Stephen Stanley Parker who emigrated from Northbourne to Perth Australia in 1829.

This newspaper report is a source for an article in Bygone Kent: 'A Queen May Look at an Ass!' by Joan Rootes (Volume 14 No 4, 237-40).