OLD PLYMOUTH . UK
www.oldplymouth.uk
 

WHO WAS WHO IN OLD PLYMOUTH

THOMAS CADWALLADER BRIAN (1822-1889)

Mr T C Brian was the Plymouth Borough Coroner for just over twenty-one years.

Thomas Cadwallader Brian was born on February 7th 1822, the second son of the Reverend George Brian, MA, vicar of Ferrabury and Minster, near Boscastle, Cornwall.

Following his education at Exeter Grammar School, he was articled to Mr Bridgman, solicitor, of Tavistock.  He was admitted as a solicitors in 1845, having passed his examinations with honours, and commenced practice at Leeds, Yorkshire.  Two or three years later he came to Plymouth, where, on July 19th 1858 he married Miss Mary Anne Cooper at Saint Andrew's Church.

Mr Brian was solicitor to the Post Office and conducted its prosecutions with such success that the cases of robberies and embezzlements were reduced to almost nil.  He was appointed Borough Coroner in Plymouth February 21st 1868, in succession to Mr John Edmonds.  Over the following twenty plus years it is said that he viewed over two thousand two hundred bodies and had many difficult and intricate cases to deal with.  His last case was that of the mysterious death of Annie Riddells in Bath Lane, Plymouth, on June 28th 1889.

A total abstainer, Mr Brian regularly attended George Street Baptist Chapel and was a strong Liberal in politics, although he took no active role.

He had for many years suffered with bronchitis, which was made worse by an attack of asthma.  Although advised by Doctor J H May not to travel, Mr Brian proceeded to attend the Exeter Quarter Sessions on Monday July 1st 1889 but when he returned on the Thursday he was very unwell.  He was reputed to have said that he, himself, should not leave his room again and he didn't.  He was taken very ill on the following Monday, recovered, only to have a relapse.

Mr Thomas Cadwallader Brian passed peacefully away at about 3pm on the afternoon of Tuesday July 9th 1889.  The funeral took place on Saturday July 13th 1889.  He left a widow, three daughters and one son.