Death & burial
In later life he lived at "Nymans", near Cuckfield, Sussex, and died at nearby "Holmstead Manor" [sp?] on the 28th of February 1901, aged 65 years.
[PB: Nymans, a house set in 600 acres of spectacular gardens, is now owned by the National Trust:https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/nymans/ andhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nymans.
For Holmsted Manor, see aCuckfield Museum article, from which the photograph below derives. After several changes of owner, it was sold to Sharrow School in 1961, became a country club in 1968, and the house is now [2012] the residence of 'Youth with a Mission'. ]
Holmsted Manor: Captain John Dearden bought the site in 1889 and, by 1891, had built the present house.
(Click on image to enlarge)
Death registered
John Dearden, 65, March Quarter 1901, Cuckfield.
Extract from the Kent and Sussex Courier, 9th of March 1901:
Funeral of Captain Dearden
The remains of this gentleman were interred in Staplefield Parish Churchyard on Wednesday afternoon, a very large number of mourners being present, and amongst whom were noted his sons, Mr. J. Dearden and Mr. H.M. Dearden. The service was conducted by the Vicar of St. Mark's, the Revd. F. Belman. The coffin was of polished oak, and there was a magnificent array of floral tributes... The deceased, who was a Justice of the Peace, had resided at Holmstead for some time, and was exceedingly popular.
In his will he left his entire estate of £70,852/11/9d to his son, John Dearden, of Park Farm, Horsham.
His grave is in the churchyard of St. Mark's at Staplefield, Sussex, and is situated approximately 25 feet in from the main entrance, on the right-hand side. It is surmounted on a stone cross on three plinths, being some 4 feet 6 inches in height, the whole plot being surrounded by a stone kerb.
Commemorated on the stone are five people:
John Dearden. Born August 10th 1835 — Died 28th February 1901.
Annie Dearden. Died April 24th 1878, aged 13 years.
Harry Dearden. Died August 31st 1943, aged 76.
John Dearden. Died August 5th 1950, aged 88.
John Frederick Dearden. Died June 1st 1956, aged 49.
There is also another small stone in front of the one just mentioned, inscribed to: "Reginald Charles Dearden. Born November 25th 1871 — Died 2nd of February 1872", and also of "Arthur Augustus Dearden. Born August 1st 1869 — Died 26th May 1872.
There are also two family memorial windows in the church itself at Staplefield. One bears the inscription: "In loving memory of John Dearden of Holmestead, Staplefield. Born August 16th 1835 — Died February 28th 1901." The other is: "In loving memory of Anne Dearden. Born February 1865 — Died 24th April 1878." This would have been his daughter, who is buried in the same grave.