Transcript

of

William Davies [Obituary]

Trans. Devon Assoc.,  vol. 47, (1915), pp. 44-45.

by

Maxwell Adams (Ed.)

Prepared by Michael Steer

The obituary was read at the Association’s July 1915 Exeter meeting. Mr Davies, beyond his considerable practice as a local solicitor in the Kingsbridge area was active politically as a member of the Liberal Unionist Party. The Unionists were formed in 1886 by a breakaway faction of the Liberal Party. Led by Lord Hartington and Joseph Chamberlain, the Unionists established a political alliance with the Conservative Party in opposition to Irish Home Rule. The Kingsbridge Grammar School, at which Mr Davies was clerk to the Governors, was founded in 1670, by Mr. Thomas Crispin, of Exeter, who endowed it with £30 per annum for its support. Duncombe's trust, to which Mr Davies also served as Clerk to the Trustees gave £50 exhibitions, to young men at either of the universities; and £10 each for apprenticing 15 boys, with £10 in addition to assist them in commencing business. The obituary, 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.

Mr. W. Davies, who died on 5 January, 1915, at the age of 72, at his residence, Bellfield, Kingsbridge, was a solicitor by profession, and an able advocate, and for forty years had a considerable practice in the local courts. For many years he was sub-agent for the Kingsbridge district of the Totnes Division, under Mr. Edward Windeatt, the Unionist agent. He took an active part in political affairs, and was in touch with the Unionist committees throughout the locality. Mr. Davies was also clerk to the Governors of Kingsbridge Grammar School and to the trustees of Duncombe's Charity, and formerly secretary of the Kingsbridge Town. Association, and at one time was a member of the Kingsbridge Urban District Council. He was an antiquary of considerable attainment, making a hobby of folklore and historical records. He joined the Association in 1896 and contributed several papers to its Transactions, and frequently lectured on the ancient history of Kingsbridge and its neighbourhood.