Stephen Pope of Cripplestyle (see our story in Real Lives Category)

The post Stephen Pope first appeared on Dorset Ancestors.

In the autumn of 1867 he married Fanny Beal, a girl from the same parish and they had several children. He earned his living from the land as a woodman, hurdle maker and later as a driver of a corn threshing engine.
 
Stephen Pope was a godly man: he attended the small Williams Memorial Chapel, built in 1807. The mud walls and rough timbers would have fitted well with Stephen’s character and his strong Puritan ways. Later, with generous help from Lord Salisbury, the Old Chapel became a church and Stephen marched in the procession of villagers from the Chapel to take possession of the new Church.
 
Stephen’s interest in the little church to which he belonged remained strong until the end of his life; he told stories of past difficulties but was devoted to the place.

The land for the Old Chapel was given by Mr William Baily and it was his son who became the first Pastor. Stephen Pope was one of the Deacons of the church until he passed away in 1926 at the age of 82. On hearing of Stephen’s death the Marchioness of Salisbury wrote: “I cannot say with what regret we heard of Stephen Pope’s death; he was an old friend, and so striking a personality.”
 
Men like Stephen are immortalised in the novels of Thomas Hardy.

Note: we have placed a photo of Stephen Pope in the gallery.

The post Stephen Pope of Cripplestyle first appeared on Dorset Ancestors.