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Gentleman's Magazine 1803 p.17
Sproxton, Leic. Dec. 11.
Mr. URBAN,
IT would give me, and more of your readers, much
satisfaction, I am sure, if any of your correspondents would
favour us with more particulars of the late Rev. Mr. Walker,
of Seathwaite, near Broughton, Lancashire, whose death
appears in vol.LXXII. p.878.
The character given there of that most worthy and singular
man is, that "he was more than 60 years curate of that
chapel; and that, upon a small stipend, with great industry
and oeconomy, he brought up a large family in a very decent
manner, giving to one of his sons, since deceased, an
academic education, and living contented in his retired
situation, without a wish to change it. That he was beloved
and respected, &c."
I lament much that justice is not likely to be done to such
an extraordinary character, by giving the world an example
of what industry, oeconomy, and good management, will do. I
will, however, throw in my mite.
Near thirty years ago, I knew him a little, and soon after
formed an intimacy with his son, who was of Trinity College,
Dublin, and in the year 1776 was presented to the perpetual
curacy of Rusland, near Ulverstone, worth about 30l. a year,
which he soon vacated for the cure and free-school in
Ulverstone, where he died many years ago. He was a young man
of considerable abilities, benevolent and generous, but
expensive.
Some anecdotes of the early part of the old gentleman's life
I had from the late William Penny, of Penny-Bridge, esq. his
patron. Mr. Penny informed
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