Transcript

of

William Rutter Bayley, M.A. [Obituary]

Trans. Devon. Assoc., 1879, Vol XI, p. 48.

by

W. Harpley

Prepared by Michael Steer

Copies of several conveyancing deeds relating to Mr Bayley and properties in Wiltshire are held at the Wiltshire and Swindon History Centre. A copy of his will appeared in the Renfrewshire Independent for Saturday June 7th, 1879. This may be accessed through the British Newspaper Archive.  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 Rutter Bayley, M.A., and a Justice of the Peace for the County of Devon, purchased the Cotford and Swet combe estates, in the parish of Sidbury, lying between the towns of Honiton and Sidmouth, about forty years ago. He subsequently sold the property at Swetcombe. Cotford House had belonged to Joseph Jenkins, an uncle of Thomas Jenkins, sometime Lord of the Manor of Sidmouth, and then to Sir W. Cockburn, late Dean of York, before it passed into the hands of Mr. Bayley. A few years after Mr. Bayley came into possession he rebuilt the house of dressed ashlar limestone, brought from the Babbacombe quarries in vessels to Sidmouth, and from thence carted three miles to Sidbury. As a magistrate he was active in his duties and punctual in his appointments, a warning to evil-doers, and a firm friend and protector to the honest and industrious. As a neighbour he was sociable and hospitable, whilst to his poorer neighbours he was charitable and liberaL

He joined the Association in 1868, at the meeting at Honiton, where he was one of the vice-presidents; and he was present at one or two subsequent annual meetings.

He died on the 19th of March, 1879, at 34, Hill Street, Berkeley Square, London, leaving estates in the counties of Gloucester, Wilts, Durham, and Devon.