1856, Mr Reece Bevan, Mayor of Wigan

Mr Reece Bevan, Mayor of Wigan, 1856

Wigan Observer 30 April 1869

DEATH OF ALDERMAN BEVAN – A good kind Christian gentleman, where in his lifetime, 12 months longer than the term of mans appointed years – had been prominently and usefully connected with public affairs in Wigan, has passed to his rest.

Mr Alderman Bevan died at his residence Freckleton House, early on Sunday morning last. By his death another gap is made in the ranks of the few remaining of those whom, during an important crisis nearly 40 years ago, contended hard for what they considered the right of the people of Wigan.

The earliest record we have of his appearance in public life bears the date of 1830, when his name appears second in a list of inhabitant voters who, in a contested election prepatory to obtaining a decision of a committee of the House of Commons as to the right of the inhabitants to the elective franchise of the Borough, made an attempt to destroy the power of the old burgesses, the action being based on a declaration in some of the old charters of the town that every inhabitant householder was a burgess. Together with those of 109 other inhabitants his vote was refused, and the matter was still at issue when in 1831, Mr Bevan was sworn in as a burgess, having been chosen at a Court Leet held that year. The dispute remained unsettled until disposed of by the passing of the Reform Act of 1832. Mr Bevan was one of the first justices appointed for the Borough when the Municipal Corporations Act of 1836 came in to operation. He was a member of the first council elected under the provisions of the Act, and with the exception of a very short interval, he remained in the Corporation until his decease. That he held an important position with this body may inferred from the fact that at the close of the year 1836 he was elected Chief Magistrate – succeeding Mr J S Heron, the first Mayor chosen by the new Council – and that 20 years later he was again raised to the same dignity.in 1840 he was placed on the Commission of the Peace of the County, and at the time of his death he was the senior magistrate in the Wigan petty sessional division.

For many years he was in business as a Cotton Spinner, and in his commercial transactions was strong evidence of the active, enterprising spirit which marked his public life. During the whole of his career he was firmly attached to the principles of the Liberal Party, and no labour with him seemed too great if it was calculated to advance the interests of the cause he had opposed. Notwithstanding, his strong bias in this respect, however, his gentlemanly and affable demeanour, commended itself equally to his opponents as to those who agreed with him, and by all parties he was highly and deservedly esteemed. Every project that seemed likely to improve the Borough and to benefit the inhabitants had his hearty support. This feature in his character was strikingly shown a few months ago when he was conducted to his seat in the Council Chamber, and for the last time, his voice was raised in favour of a new market, for which he had long been an advocate.

He was a member of the church worshipping at St. Paul’s Chapel, Standishgate, in connection with which he had held several responsible offices. For many years he has been in a delicate state of health, and the Reaper was by no means unexpected. The sufferings of the deceased gentleman were sometimes most intense, but he bore them with exemplary resignation, waiting patiently for the rest which he believed remained for him. The interment will take place in the burial ground in front of St. Pauls Chapel, on Saturday morning.

Obituary kindly transcribed by Andy Lomax.