Thomas Harvey, 1803 - 1885

In memoriam

Since our last issue an old and well-known inhabitant of this Parish has passed away. We refer to the decease of Mr Thomas Harvey, who departed this life on 1st of November, in his 82nd year.

He was born at Wyvenhoe in the year 1803. Thrown upon his own resources, he had scarcely reached his teens than he began life as a Joiner and Carpenter in conjunction with an old gentleman named Todd. For many years he kept the Public House at Wyvenhoe called "The Black Boy". During these years he entered upon and pursued the calling of Yacht and Ship Builder in the Ship Building Yard of his native place.

Early and late he toiled hard in this useful calling, and well earned the reputation he in a few years acquired of being an excellent and successful Ship Builder. As specimen of his workmanship we may mention the famous "Kitten", "Thought" and "Volante", built in the year 1852, 1864, ---. About the year 1865 however, the Ship Building business was transferred to his son John, and Mr. Harvey came to live at Brightlingsea.

His active mind immediately conceived the idea of doing all his could to benefit and improve and forward the interested of this place. He made extensive purchases of land and, without delay commenced building operation. To these interesting enterprises we owe the existence of our Public Hall, and which was be no means a profitable speculation to the builder. It has yet been, and in the future will increasingly be, of great public benefit and utility.There were those at the time it was erected who thought Mr. Harvey was building what would never be required, but what would Brightlingsea now do without it? Thus time has shewn that our shrewd friend was right, and those would-be prophets in the wrong.

It was about the year 1849 that Mr. Harvey became acquainted with the principles of the New Church, and though never a registered Member of that body, he nevertheless firmly adhered to that form of faith. This acquaintance arose out of a religious conversation with Mr. Husk, of Wyvenhoe, while on their way to a Regatta, that chat having relation to the Destruction versus Non-Destruction of the World. The conversation awakened his interest in the new theology, and from that time Mr. Harvey becomes a glad recipient and earnest advocate of the same.

He had a way of his own - a most eccentric one it is true - of presenting what he believed, but whatever his peculiar manner of presentation, the principle of his argument was generally sound. One great, perhaps we may say, the great leading principle of this life was, to always keep money in the Market, and thereby to find employment for the labouring classes.

He was a man who thought for others as well as for himself, and his was a busy, eventful and useful life. To the last he retained the use of his mental faculties. His regular and orderly life secured him exemption from disease, and his death was but, if we may be permitted a figure, the light of the lamp going out because the oil was exhausted.

Now strides into the picture, like some prophet of the Old Testament, a stalwart and ecstatic visionary, my grandfather! He has retired now from the shipyard and lives at Brightlingsea - seven miles away [from Wivenhoe].

On the road between there and Wivenhoe you may meet him, carrying from old habit, a five-foot 'spline' - relic of his timber-measuring days but used now as a staff - which gives him a patriarchal appearance as he stalks his fifteen miles to and from his home. Not for him the effeminate comfort of the railways.

His is an altruist and devoted to the welfare of 'The People'. William Brummell - brother of the famous Beau - had a mansion and park at the top of the street, and upon the death of his widow,  my grandfather bought the estate and cut it up into sites for small houses. This piece of public service was deeply appreciated by the Wivenhoe folk; for overcrowding in the village was a scandal, and six familiar were known to have lived in one house in Hog Lane - now West Street.

His was an ardent follower of the Swedish mystic Swedenborg. He scorned tobacco and demanded, as he saw me smoking my first cigarette, why I should cloud my "beautiful brain with it?" He would tell you of his visions of Paradise, and, his mind still running upon his beloved timber, of the avenue of grand elms he had seen in his dreams of Heaven.