Transcript

of

William Marshall [Obituary]

Trans. Devon. Assoc., 1882, Vol XIV, p. 119.

by

Rev. W. Harpley

Prepared by Michael Steer

The Marshall’s are still a well-known family of solicitors in Plymouth. Several of their Wills are held in the National Archives. For example, a copy of William Marshall’s uncle Henry’s Will, (dated 1838), the relative with whom he was articled, and referenced  PROB 11/1894/75. 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.

William Marshall, a descendant of a very old Plymouth family, was born in August, 1815. In his youth he was articled to his uncle, Mr. Henry Marshall, solicitor, of Plymouth, and on the death of his uncle, in 1838, succeeded him in his practice, as well as in the agency of the West of England Fire and life Insurance Company, which he held up to the time of his death. In this capacity he acted as superintendent of the West of England Fire Brigade, and under his immediate management and control it was for many years his proud boast that his fire engine and brigade were always the first to be at the scene of a fire. As superintendent of the brigade he was at all times most active, and on many occasions he was the means of rendering valuable aid at conflagrations, which but for his assistance would probably have had very disastrous results. In July, 1873, while in the discharge of his duties, he was seriously injured, and was for some time incapacitated from active duty. Five years later - in November, 1878 - he lost his wife, to whom he was married in 1844, and from that time it was noticed that his health began to fail In March, 1881, the state of his health was such that acting under medical advice, he made a trip to Madeira, but there he became so seriously ill that he returned home in the following month. In October he was taken suddenly worse, and from that time he never left his bed. He died at his residence, Cornwall Street, Plymouth, on 28th February, 1882, in his sixty-seventh year. More than thirty years ago Mr. Marshall represented Drake's Ward in the Plymouth Town Council. Subsequently, in 1854, he contested Sutton Ward, but failed to secure election, and in 1857 he was similarly unsuccessful in Frankfort Ward. From that time he took but little part in municipal or other public matters. Mr. Marshall joined the Association in 1871, and, accompanied by his wife, was a regular attendant at the annual meetings.