In 1845 W. A. wrote in the Northampton  |Mercury| one of his usual acidic reviews of a church, in this case Westoning. In it he criticised Rev. Whitehurst for raising a memorial to himself in the church. He did not long go unanswered - J. D, Parry wrote to the Northampton Mercury on 30th August 1845 as follows: "With great respect for W. A., being quite unable to guess at his identity, and a wish to see the whole of his illustrations, I differ with him on two or three points, which I will mention".

I>The Tatler, I think, a letter with the astounding post-script - "Since writing the above, I have died". But this is explained as having been added, on a sudden demise, by another who did not think of changing the person. I suppose this to be a tablet to the memory of the late Rev. R. H. Whitehurst and his wife. If so, it could not be to two better persons; and I beg a corner to say so".

"Mr. Whitehurst was a man whom, it is a real pleasure, and also a great pain to recollect. The first from his goodness of heart; the second because it is not easy now to find a similar character. He had some real medical knowledge, which enabled him to doctor, without quackery, his parishioners. I have understood that in one year he spent £50 of his income in drugs* (population 700), being at the same time on the best terms with the parochial medical attendant. But this was not all; it might be his "hobby", but was far from his measure of duty and benevolence. In food and other things, I am sure he would let no one greatly want, if he knew it, and had power to relieve it. And he was one of the most courteous, humble, accessible and forbearing of men. Peace be with him! or rather, I would say, peace is with him".

* "An excellent comment on the sufficiency of medical allowances under the New Poor Law. I remember the late Mr. G, [Thomas Green] of Woburn, who then, 1816 (population 1,600) received £30 per annum - since increased - calculating that the drugs he furnished in one year, if charged at the lowest price to paying patients, would have amounted to £70. He, however, did his duty, as I am quite sure the present medical gentleman does, and I hope others "do likewise". But the law should not make every inducement but a man's own heart and conscience the other way".