Background
Lower, born at Alfriston, Sussex, 19 September 1782, was a son of John Lower, who owned the barge The Good Intent, and was the first person to navigate the little river Cuckmere from the sea to Longbridge. Richard, finding that he was physically too weak to adopt his father"s calling, and having received a fair education, opened a school about 1803 in the parish of Chiddingly, where he resided till within a few months of his death.
Career
He also carried on the business of land surveyor, and was factotum in most of the parochial offices. From his childhood he was addicted to rhyming, much to his mother"s displeasure. Richard Lower was married to Mary Oxley in 1803.
They had 7 children:
Martha Oxley Lower - 1807,
Alfred Ebeneezer Lower - 1809 - He died on 15 March 1812 in Chiddingly, Sussex, England,
Mark Antony Lower - 1814 - He died on 28 March 1876 in Street Anne, Lewes, Sussex, England,
Joseph Richard Lower - 1816 - He died in 1891,
Mary Lower - 1817,
Jerimina Lower - 1819,
Matthew Henry Lower - 1822.