Transcript

of

Obituary notices: William Adderly Barton Wren

Trans. Devon. Assoc. vol. 25, (1893) pp.169-170.

by

W. Harpley

Prepared by Michael Steer

WILLIAM ADDERLY BARTON WREN was born at Exeter on the 1st June, 1821. He was the eldest son of the late Major Wren, HEICS, of Lenwood, by Delitia Montague, daughter of Admiral Barton, RN, of Borough, who was a direct descendent of the Leighs of that place, made famous by Kingsley in his Westward-Ho !

Mr Wren was educated by private tutors, and afterwards at St John's College, Cambridge, where he took his BA degree in January 1843. He followed no profession, but at once interested himself in agriculture, farming his own estate in the parish of Bradworthy until the death of his father in 1874, after which event he took up his residence at Lenwood, near Bideford and farmed that estate until his death.

Mr Wren was a very able man and as a Justice of the Peace for the County, was one of the most regular and attentive magistrates on the Bench. He greatly distinguished himself by organising the North Devon Yeomanry Cavalry, at one time holding a commission as Major in the regiment.

On the formation of the County Council, he was returned unopposed to that body for the Northern District, but retired after completing his first term of office. For many years he sat as Chairman of the Bideford Board of Guardians, and was Chairman of the Northam Local Branch from its formation until two or three years before his decease.

His public appointments by no means represented the extent of his labours for the good of the community in which he moved. In commercial and agricultural matters he was a far-seeing and enterprising man. To him was due the development of the Buckleigh property around Westward Ho ! and the Marland Light Line Railway, and the Clay Brick and Tile Works there, were mainly the result of his capital and enterprise.

In his younger days, Mr Wren was an athlete, rowing in his college eight at Cambridge; he was also a very keen sportsman. He was of a very generous disposition, and was most happy when engaged in affording substantial relief to the poor and needy.

He joined the Association in 1870, and in the following year was one of the Vice-Presidents for the meeting at Bidford. He died at his residence at Lenwood on the 26th January, 1893 at the age of 71.