Obituary notices: Thomas Hewetson

Trans. Devon. Assoc., vol. 29, (1897) p. 43.

Prepared by Michael Steer

Thomas Hewetson was a gentleman of leisure and a philanthropist. His obituary asserts that he was a keen sportsman and benefactor of several organisations in Buckfastleigh, as well as a significant contributor to public works in Keswick, Cumberland. Page 43 of the volume has a small error in photocopying. This has led to two breaks in the transcription. Google with the Archive Organization has sponsored the digitisation of books from several libraries. The Internet Archive makes available, in its Community Texts Collection (originally known as Open Source Books), books that have been digitised by Google from a number of libraries. These are books on which copyright has expired, and are available free for educational and research use. This rare book was produced from a copy held by University of Michigan Library, and is available from the Internet Archive.

Obituary Notice compiled by

The Rev W Harpley MA, Hon Secretary of the Association

Mr Hewetson resided for the last twenty-four years of his life in the vicinity of Buckfastleigh. Few more generous supporters of local institutions could be found for he was always ready to aid any effort of a deserving character. A keen supporter of sport, Mr Hewetson was for many years one of the most energetic members of the Dart Board of Conservators, acting on that body to the end of ___. He was one of the three trustees of the Buckfastleigh Recreation Ground and frequently patronised the various matches played there. He was also a generous supporter of the Ashburton and Buckfastleigh Cottage Hospital, of which he was a life governor and invariably backed this support with liberal subscriptions. To the poor of the town especially he was a true friend. Though his sympathies were so largely exercised locally, the town of Keswick in Cumberland, must also regard the Hewetson family as public benefactors. Fitz Park was secured for Keswick through the generous contributions of Mr Thomas Hewetson and his brother; and his brother Henry built and endowed a cottage hospital in that town. Mr Hewetson became a member of the Association in ___. He died at his residence Ware House after a short illness on Tuesday, April 14th 1896, aged 79 years.