WILLIAM BARTON CAPARN.
Mr. John Caparn, Chemist, having a shop in the High Street (now occupied by Mr. Herbert Carlton), had a son, William Barton Caparn, who graduated at Brazenose College, Oxford, taking honours, in 1843. He was ordained deacon in 1843, and priest in 1845, in the diocese of Ripon. He became Vicar of East and West Torrington, near Wragby, in 1846, which he held till 1859. He held the benefice, as Vicar, of Drayton, Somersetshire, from 1866 to 1875. Having private means, he gave up that benefice, and became Curate of Angersleigh, in the same county, 1877–79; which he then gave up, and undertook the Chaplaincy of the Taunton Union, and local hospital. These he resigned after a few years, and resided at Taunfield House, Taunton, until his death, April 10th, 1892. He published various minor works; the first being a small volume on Epitaphs, later productions were Meditations to be used in Church before Divine Service; Councils and warnings before and after Confirmation, &c.
George Gilliat, Esq., late of The Wharf, Horncastle, married, as his first wife, Miss Caparn, a sister. Miss Helen Caparn, another sister, married Mr. William Sharples, Surgeon, a partner of the late Mr. T. Snaith, of Horncastle, and one of the first doctors at Woodhall Spa. Mr. Sharples left Horncastle for Wisbech, being appointed by the trustees first resident physician at the hospital founded in that town by Miss Trafford Southwell. Losing an only daughter while there, the shock was so great, that he resigned the post, and removed to Taunton, and took up there the practice of a deceased brother, which he carried on until his death, Feb. 8th, 1897. At Horncastle he resided for some years in the old vicarage, south of the churchyard, afterwards moving to the house next the “Fighting Cocks” Inn, called “Westholme House.” For some years he was a very popular Secretary to the Southwold Hunt.