Transcript

of

Peter Varwell. [Obituary]

Trans. Devon. Assoc. XXXIV, (1902), pp. 34-35.

by

J. Brooking-Rowe (Ed.).

Prepared by Michael Steer

The obituary was read at the Association’s July 1902 Bideford meeting. A note by Association member T. Cann Hughes, entitled ”Interments of Devonian Antiquaries and Scientists”, in Devon & Cornwall Notes and Queries vol. VII, (1912-1913), designates Mr Varwell an ‘antiquarian’ - i.e. one who studies history with particular attention to ancient artefacts, archaeological and historic sites, or historic archives and manuscripts. Mr Hughes sought from readers, information on Mr Varwell’s burial place. A transcription of the note may be accessed here. Mr Varwell’s 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.

Peter Varwell was elected a member in 1872, and for many years he was a frequent attendant .at the Annual Meetings. Of late years ill health and advancing years prevented, to his great regret, as he more than once informed the writer of this notice, his leaving home. In early life Mr. Varwell was the captain of a collier, and his business prospering he became the owner of several merchant vessels, and the founder of the business of a coal merchant, which under his management flourished, and is now carried on by his sons. He was a keen man of business, and active as a member of the City Council, and in connection with many philanthropic agencies in Exeter. He died on the 17th January, 1902, at the age of eighty-two years.