OLD PLYMOUTH . UK
www.oldplymouth.uk
 

©  Brian Moseley, Plymouth
Webpage created: February 27, 2021
Webpage updated: February 27, 2021

        

WHO WAS WHO IN OLD PLYMOUTH

JAMES MATCHAM (1825-1882)

James Matcham was born in Dorset in 1825.  Exactly when and how he arrived in Plymouth is not known but on December 20th 1849 he married an East Stonehouse girl, Miss Mary Jane Bovey, at the Ancient Parish Church of Saint Andrew the Apostle, Plymouth.  Her father, Mr James Bovey, was a stone mason.

Mr James Matcham was responsible for the construction of the Devonport Public Hall in Fore Street, the Rougemont Hotel at Exeter, Mr Singer's Oldway Mansion at Paignton, the Imperial Hotel and Saint John's Church at Torquay and the Mutley Barracks, Plymouth, for the militia.

In 1881 was awarded the contract for the construction of the Royal Naval Barracks at Devonport, which was worth some £60,000.  He employed around 200 men on the work, some of which were on sub-contract with Mr S Roach, of Plymouth, and Mr D Sale, of Devonport.

By the time of the 1871 census he and Mary had two children, 16-years-old Miss Fanny Florence Matcham, and 10-years-old Walter James Ryall Matcham.  They were living at Mount Pleasant House and had a 24-years-old servant, Miss Mary J Lucas.

At about 10am on Thursday October 12th 1882 he arrived at the Barracks from his residence, Saint James's House, Plymouth, to look at the work in progress on the second floor.  While standing on a scaffold watching some masons at work a labourer carrying a hod of bricks wished to pass him.  Mr Matcham stepped aside on to side plank, which one foot missed, causing him to topple over and fall 25 feet to the ground.   Unfortunately his head struck a steel girder and rendered unconscious.

Mr Bigwood, the clerk and timekeeper, seized Mr Matcham's horse and trap and raced to the Royal Albert Hospital to get a doctor but was informed by the Hospital lodge-keeper that no doctor was available.  He continued to Saint Aubyn Street, where he secured the services of Mr Harrison, surgeon, whom he took back with him to the Barracks

In the meantime, Mr A R Debnam, who was the Government's clerk of works on the project, had been to the Keyham Steam Yard and obtained the services of their surgeon and he arranged to have Mr Matcham carried to an office.  At that time Mr Matcham was still alive but all attempts to revive him failed and he died shortly afterwards.

Mr James Matcham was 57-years-old and left a widow, a son (Mr Walter Matcham) and a married daughter (Mrs Florence Elliott).  He was the brother of Mr T Matcham, of Plympton.

The funeral was at Plympton Saint Mary Church on Monday October 16th 1882.  Those who attended, in addition to the family, included many people from the local business world: Mr Robert Bayly (1839-1901), Mr John Pethick (1827-1904), Mr A R Debnam, Mr Edred Marshall (1826-1907), Mr W H Luke, Mr T Jinkin, Mr J R Newcombe (1803-1887), Mr A R Lethbridge, Mr R H Dawe (solicitor) and Mr J Goad.  Of his own staff, Mr Roskelly and Mr Hallett, his foremen, Mr Bigwood, his timekeeper, and Mr Brown, his gardener, also attended. 

At the time of the 1891 census, his widow was living at number 20 Athenaeum Street, Plymouth.