OLD PLYMOUTH . UK
www.oldplymouth.uk
 

WHO WAS WHO IN OLD PLYMOUTH

RICHARD BAYLY (1763-1836)

Mr Richard Bayly was the third surviving son of Mr John and Mrs Mary Bayly.  He joined his father's timber business in 1782, after acquiring the shares owned by his older brother, Robert, who went off to London to study law.

He lived with his younger brother George (1772-1851) and sister Hannah at the "Red House" or "Great House" on the Barbican.  In 1810 Richard and George built Brunswick Terrace, in Exeter Street, and they moved in to one of the properties in November 1812.  Mr John Brabant Bayly died that same year.  With the second son, Mr Robert Bayly, in London following a career in law, that left Richard in charge of the business.

An ardent Whig, Richard worked hard for the cause of the Roman Catholic and Dissenting communities and in 1825 retired from business to devote his energy to charitable work and parliamentary and municipal reform.  In 1830 he was chairman of Viscount Ebrington's Plymouth Committee.  When the famous Reform Bill was enacted as the Representation of the People Act on June 4th 1832, Mr Bayly was there to support of the local candidates.  The Act gave the vote to the occupants of properties worth £10 per year in rent and widened the electorate quite considerably.  

After parliamentary reform came municipal reform.   Following the passing of the Municipal Corporations Act in 1835, he was elected as one of the Aldermen of the new Plymouth Town Council and was offered the position of Justice of the Peace but declined due to his advancing years and deafness.  On Friday January 1st 1836 he attended the election of Mr Thomas Gill as Plymouth's first Mayor under the new Act.

Sadly, the excitement of the recent events proved too much for him and he passed away in his sleep during the night of Friday January 1st 1836.  He was 73 years of age.

The next member of the family to become a prominent citizen of Plymouth was Richard's nephew, Mr John Bayly (1804-1893).