There is nothing anywhere in his writings to suggest that he regretted any period or aspect of the life whose end, he knew, could not be far off; but he seems to have feared oblivion. Not the Oblivion of Death. He had little doubt that in Heaven he would be reunited with Mary and their dead children and grandchildren. What he feared was oblivion in the minds of the still-living; that he would be forgotten. He had published both his dialect books under pseudonyms, almost as though he disowned them. Now he would publish them again, but this time proudly associated with the name of Richard Lower, and with them would be the best of his writings in Standard English, to demonstrate that he was not just a dialect poet.

He had the collection prepared and ready for the printer by the beginning of 1862. It wanted only a Dedication which, he hoped, would be read by the world at large. First, though, he wrote a reminder of himself to Chiddingly. There were very few people, if any, in the parish with whom, at some time or other, he had not come into contact, either taking money from them as rates or taxes or giving it to them as relief. Probably no Chiddinglyer under the age of 45 could remember or imagine the parish without him; and yet, he felt, Chiddingly had never quite forgotten that he was an “outlander”. It needed reminding of the services he had given it.

The Vestry Minute Book was an official document, there to record the affairs of a body established by and acting in accordance with Acts of Parliament. It was not a place for personal statements. Nevertheless, it was also his book. He had bought it personally from Reuben Lower in Lewes; he had filled it with his own handwriting; and he would close it.

After the Minutes recording the meeting held on March 25^th, 1862, the book had only two still unused pages. On its penultimate page Richard wrote his statement, couched as an official communication, for he headed it “Memorandum”:

Richard Lower. Born at Alfriston, Sussex 19^th September 1782.

Came to reside at Chiddingly 13^th February 1803, Married Mary Oxley 9^th April 1803. Was schoolmaster at Chiddingly thirty five years. Headborough in 1808.

Also Assessor and Collector of Government Taxes in 1808 which office he held with exception of about six years at different intervals till the present year (1862) Constable of Shiplake 1818.

In 1820 was chosen Assistant Overseer and continued till 1835 when the New Poor Law came into operation, was Vestry Clerk also during that period as well as Assistant Surveyor.

Continued Vestry Clerk till 1846 when he was appointed Assistant Overseer and Vestry Clerk, under the New Poor Law, also Assistant Surveyor which offices he has held to the present year 1862. So that the said Richard Lower had held office in this parish of every (Parochial) kind except Churchwarden for fifty-nine years. And is now the Oldest Householder in the parish.[9]