Transcript

of

John Bayly [Obituary]

Trans. Devon. Assoc., 1894, Vol XXVI, pp.41-43.

by

Rev. W. Harpley

Prepared by Michael Steer

The obituary was read at the Association’s July 1893 Torquay meeting. Another version Mr Bayly’s biography is presented at the Who was Who in Old Plymouth UK website. The establishment of the Marine Biological Laboratory on the Hoe was almost entirely due to his generosity.   He supported all the local charities and was creative in his methods of encouraging others to donate money to that project.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.

John Bayly was the eldest son of Mr. Robert Bayly, barrister, of the Inner Temple, Bencher and Treasurer of Gray's Inn. He was born in London on the 9th of January, 1804. When 15 years of age he went to reside with his uncle, Mr. Richard Bayly, in Plymouth, where he was articled with Messrs Saunders and Whiddon, solicitors and notaries.

On the completion of his articles he commenced to practice as a solicitor. In 1833 he married Elizabeth, youngest daughter of Mr. Thomas Windeatt, of Tavistock, whom he survived for 31 years. On the death of his uncle, Mr. Richard Bayly, he succeeded to the timber business, which was established by his relatives early in the last century, and which is still carried on under the name of Messrs. R and R Bayly. He was subsequently joined in partnership by his brother-in-law, Mr. Charles Fox, who retired from the business in 1846.

Throughout his business career, Mr. Bayly took a prominent part in all public matters. He was especially identified in the agitation for the passing of the Reform Bill in 1832, and later he took a prominent part in bringing about the adoption of the Health of Towns Act for Plymouth. In politics he was always a Liberal, and when the Home Rule split occurred, he maintained his adherence to Mr. Gladstone. As a public speaker Mr. Bayly was eloquent, practical, and at times, incisive. His views of public affairs, and of the duties of public bodies, were broad and uncompromising. The commercial prosperity of Plymouth was a subject of special interest to him, and to many public institutions he gave personal service as well as pecuniary support Almost his last efforts of a public character before retiring into comparative seclusion, were devoted to the building of the Mount Batten Breakwater, and to the formation of the Cattewater Harbour Commission, of which he was chairman from the commencement. He was greatly interested in the question of an improved supply of water for Plymouth; and with a view to the construction of a large storage reservoir on the lines lately sanctioned by Parliament, he presented the town with a valuable stretch of land which is now about to be utilized.

He was a large and liberal employer of labour, and interested himself in everything concerning his workmen. In philanthropic work he was ever to the fore, and amongst other institutions he took particular interest in the Sailors' Home and the Royal Eye Infirmary. The establishment of the Marine Biological Laboratory at Plymouth was practically due to his liberal initiation. His private benefactions were numerous. In times of sorrow and distress none appealed to him in vain for counsel and help. He was peculiarly sensitive in reference to his benefactions, and only allowed any of them to be made known as an incentive to other donors. A characteristic incident may be cited in connection with the fund that was started for the relief of the unhappy victims in the Bulgarian atrocities. Mr. Bayly, in his own name, gave to the relief fund a sum expressed by three figures, and at the same time signed a cheque for double the amount to be entered as from "a friend."

For a long time Mr. Bayly was one of the leading members and chief supporters of the Unitarian body in Plymouth. He was also a strong temperance man. Throughout his life he had been very abstemious, and for some years had been a teetotaler.

He joined the Association in 1866. He died at his residence at Seven Trees, Plymouth, on the 22nd of July, 1893, at the advanced age of 89 years