Transcript

of

William Foster Moore [Obituary]

Trans. Devon. Assoc., 1887, Vol XIX, pp.46-48.

by

Rev. W. Harpley

Prepared by Michael Steer

Mr Foster Moore’s obituary was read at the Association’s July 1887 Plympton meeting. The Journals of the House of Commons, vol. 32, 3rd May, p.469 records a petition brought by William Moore and William Foster Moore, Landowners, Merchants, Ship owners, Ship Builders etc of Plymouth, relating to the Sutton Harbour Improvement Bill. 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 Foster Moore was a member of an old Plymouth family prominently connected with commercial pursuits. He could trace his ancestry through several generations, and almost always one or other of the family occupied public positions of trust, and devoted time €md money to the good of the town. In the list of Plymouth mayors the name of Moore is found in remarkable frequency, and even as far back as the year 1533 Mr. Christopher Moore was the chief magistrate of the town.

Mr. Moore was educated by Mr. J. Heyrick Macaulay (a cousin of Lord Macaulay), at the New Grammar School in Princess Square, Plymouth. His father was a large shipbuilder and shipowner, and Mr. Moore's love for the old shipbuilding yard - for ships and all belonging to them - obliged him to turn away from the attractions of a university and professional career, to which his friends endeavoured to attract him. He accordingly served his time with his father, and conducted the business in the extensive yard adjoining his residence, the Friary, on the banks of the ancient harbour of Plymouth, Sutton Pool, until he closed the establishment, the conditions of wooden shipbuilding in the port of Plymouth having changed, and retired from this form of business life. He did not however cease to take a very active interest in local business pursuits. He was one of the largest shareholders, and for many years one of the most energetic directors, of the Sutton Harbour Improvement Company. In the Port of Plymouth Chamber of Commerce he had the liveliest interest, occupied the post of Deputy-Chairman (it being the, custom for the Earls of Morley to fill the chair), and became one of the Members of Council of the Central Association of Chambers of Commerce of the United Kingdom. His business knowledge and experience were indeed well known and valued far beyond the limits of his native town or the West of England. His sympathies were warmly enlisted by the local institutions, and he gave liberally in aid of various philanthropic objects, and at times a hearty personal assistance. He was Secretary for many years of the Plymouth Royal Eye Infirmary, and at various times filled offices connected with the majority of the Plymouth charities. He was an old and for many years an active member of the Plymouth Institution, and filled the office of President of that Society. His brother, Dr. K Moore, who died in the prime of early manhood, was also a very prominent member of the Institution, and did much useful .work in connection with local scientific investigation; and Mr. Moore always retained a lively interest in his brother's special pursuits and work. Like his father and his uncle, Mr. Moore became a member of the Plymouth Town Council, and he threw himself into municipal affairs with a zeal and energy characteristic of all he did. He enjoyed the singular honour of being chosen Mayor of Plymouth three years in succession - from 1874 to 1877 - a circumstance without parallel in the history of the borough since the fifteenth century. While he filled the office the British Association paid its second visit to Plymouth, and the reception lacked nothing that he could do to make it worthy alike of the town and of its guests.

An ardent and uncompromising politician, Mr. Moore was for some years the leader of the Conservative party in Plymouth, and spared no effort to secure the triumph of the principles which he held dear. In many respects a man of independent thought, he was most courageous in the expression of his opinions, and most zealous in seeking to give them effect - an antagonist whom all were bound to respect and honour equally for his sincerity and his determination.

Mr. Moore married, in 1882, Marian, daughter of Lieutenant-Colonel Sir Henry Freeling, of Devonport, and died on the 20th July, 1886, after a prolonged illness, from heart disease, leaving a widow and three children. His remains were deposited in the family vault at Charles Church, and a monument has been erected there to his memory. He is worthily commemorated also in the fine window in the Plymouth Guildhall, illustrating the famous Armada game of bowls on Plymouth Hoe, which he gave to the town, and which was the first of the noble reproductions of local historic scenes which now adorn that building.

Mr. Moore was a foundation member of this Association, and filled the office of Vice-President at the Newton Abbot meeting in 1884. He never read any papers before the Association, but took much interest in its proceedings and prosperity.