Transcript

of

Thomas Bury Wells, M.A. [Obituary]

Trans. Devon. Assoc. vol. XI, (1879) p. 65.

by

Rev. W. Harpley

Prepared by Michael Steer

The names of Rev. Wells and his family are recorded in The Plantagenet Roll of the Blood Royal: The Mortimer-Percy Volume (1911) by The Marquis of Ruvigny and Ranieval. That particular volume in the series treats the descendants of Lady Elizabeth Mortimer, wife first of Henry, Lord Percy, K.G., called "Hotspur," and secondly, of Thomas, Lord Camoys, K.G. The article, from a copy of a rare and much sought-after journal can be downloaded from the Internet Archive. Google has sponsored the digitisation of books from several libraries. These books, on which copyright has expired, are available for free educational and research use, both as individual books and as full collections to aid researchers.

Rev. Thomas Bury Wells, M.A., was for forty years Rector of Portlemouth, near Kingsbridge. In his earlier years he was an officer in the Royal Navy, and saw active service from the blockade of Flushing, in 1810, to the bombardment of Algiers by Lord Exmouth, in 1816. On this memorable day Mr. Wells, acting as midshipman, greatly signalized himself, and his conduct was reported by his captain as having been "conspicuously gallant." He was afterwards promoted, and was well-known throughout the service as an able and zealous officer. He joined the Association in 1877, and died at Portlemouth, on the 23rd of May, 1879, at the age of 85 years.