Transcript

of

E. Arthur [Obituary]

Trans. Devon. Assoc., 1884, Vol XVI, p. 52.

by

W. Harpley

Prepared by Michael Steer

Mr Arthur’s obituary was read at the Association’s Newton Abbot meeting in July 1884. Arthur is a famous surname in Australian history. For example, Port Arthur in Tasmania was named after Governor Arthur who had the infamous penal settlement established there in 1833.It is not known whether the Mr E. Arthur of the obituary was connected in some way to the Governor’s family. 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.

E. Arthur, in his early years, settled in a portion of the Australian continent, being one of the earliest settlers in the Part.  He afterwards practised as a solicitor in Bombay, in which place he served as coroner. In later years he came to reside at Slade, near Kingsbridge, and became interested in public matters in the neighbourhood; but did not take a very active part in them. He was one of the trustees under the will of Mr. Duncombe, and as such, under the old scheme, was a governor of Kingsbridge Grammar School.

He married the daughter of the late Captain Wells, of Slade, who survives him, and by whom he leaves two children, a son and a daughter. His character has been summed up in the three words - genial, good-hearted, and straightforward. He was elected a member of the Association in 1877, at Kingsbridge, and zealously aided in rendering the meeting there so eminently successful.  He died suddenly, on Sept. 30th, 1883, at his residence, aged about 65.