Transcript

of

Henry Wilcocks [Obituary]

Trans. Devon Assoc., 1891, Vol XXIII, pp. 110-111.

by

Rev. W. Harpley, M.A.

Prepared by Michael Steer

The obituary was read at the Association’s July 1891 Tiverton meeting. White’s Devonshire Directory for 1850 lists Wilcocks & Dinham, 104 Fore Street, Exeter, as GROCERS & TEA DEALERS. (Wholesale.) TEA & COFFEE DLRS. (wholesale). 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.

Henry Wilcocks, son of J. B. Wilcocks, Esq., of Stoke Cottage, Devonport, and partner in the old-established firm of Wilcocks, Dinham, and Westron, tea merchants, Exeter, was born at Exeter in 1840, and educated in Switzerland. In 1864 he became a partner in the firm, shortly before his marriage to Louisa, daughter of George Dansey, Esq., of St. Michael's Terrace, Stoke. From that time he lived near Exeter, occupied with commercial and agricultural business, and also with his duties as alderman, magistrate, and (for 1875) mayor of the city of Exeter.

He passed the last seven years of his life at Gipsy Hill, Pinhoe, the present residence of his widow; and was during most of that time churchwarden of the parish of Pinhoe, taking a warm interest in all parochial matters. In all the relations of life he won respect and confidence by his quiet but large-hearted kindness, his unceasing industry, and his unflinching integrity. In politics he was a Conservative, and did much in the service of his party, being chairman of the Tiverton division at the time of his death.

He joined this Association in 1872. He died, after a painful and lingering illness, on February 24:th, 1890, and was buried in Pinhoe churchyard before a large congregation of mourners, among whom the Corporation and chief residents of Exeter were fully represented. He left four daughters and five sons, of whom the eldest, Mr. Henry M. D. Wilcocks, of Crosse, Alphington, is now the sole representative of the firm.