George Bryant Sully JP
image courtesy Blake Museum Bridgwater ©2010
Mr. WR Miles has very kindly provided us with this obituary following information, after seeing our website.
The Sully family have a very large vault beneath the former Non Conformist chapel. The memorial rests upon the mound .Archive 484
DEATH OF ALDERMAN G. B. SULLY, J.P.
BRIDGWATER CITIZEN'S VIGOROUS AND USEFUL LIFE
FIFTY YEARS IN PUBLIC SERVICE
It was with the deepest regret that the townspeople of Bridgewater heard on Saturday morning of the death, which had occurred during the preceding night at Brussels, of Mr. George Bryant Sully, who was returning from a holiday tour of the Continent. Mr. Sully, as was his custom, had been on a few weeks' stay in various parts of Switzerland, but at Lucerne he appeared to contract a slight cold. Alarming symptoms, however did not manifest themselves until Brussels was reached, when the deceased gentleman was compelled to take to his bed. The best Belgium medical skill was secured, whilst Dr Max Sully (a son) of Surrey, immediately proceeded to his father's side. Mr. Sully's vigorous constitution battled with the pneumonia so well that his friends were hopeful that he would be spared to continue his useful life. Pleurisy, however, supervened, and despite the keenness of medical attention the deceased gentleman passed away at 3.20 a.m. on Saturday.
Although for some years past Mr. Sully had been a resident of Burnham yet he was essentially a Bridgewater man, having been born in the borough and spent the greater and more vigorous part of his strenuous life in it. Indeed, his manifold activities and extended over so many spheres of labour, that Bridgewater folk "G. B. S.", as he was locally frequently called, was intimately known and highly honoured, and his passing away will constitute a loss that to many will be severely felt. The deceased gentleman, who was in his 76 year, was born on June 1st 1831, being the son of the late r. Thomas Sully, who was also one of Bridgwater's prominent citizens. Not having the reputed advantage of the comprehensive education of modern days, the late Mr. Sully had, by his own industry, coupled with the gift of observant eye and deductive brain, come to be recognized as one of the best informed men in the Shire of which he was so worthy a member. He commenced his business career with his uncle, the late James Wood Sully and his father, and later was connected with his father alone in the coal importation business. At his father's death Mr. Sully became a shipowner and shipbroker, carrying on in addition an extensive timber trade. Many years ago the latter department was relegated to other hands, and it was by his intimate connection with the tortuous and contentious river Parrett that Mr. Sully was commercially best known. He soon laid the basis of a large and successful business, and some years ago entered into partnership with Mr. J. Lovell Harman of Bridgewater, whom it is understood, will continue to carry on the business. Mr. Sully married Miss Stoate, a member of a well-known West Somerset family, and had eleven children, of whom seven sons, and a daughter survive. Mr. Sully lost his wife about eleven years ago, and she was buried in the Wembdon-road cemetery, Bridgewater.
It was, however, the deceased gentleman's remarkable devotion to the public services, and his peculiar aptitude for serving that has so prominently intermingled the name of Sully in the history of the borough in the last half century. Of a peculiarly optimistic temperament and blessed with the gift of power to grasp intricate details he was especially fitted for administrative work and at the early age of 25, in 1856, he was first elected to the Town Council and for 45 years his connection with the Corporate Life of the town was unbroken. During that lengthy period he saw the town rapidly develop and his was the wisdom that materially helped in the establishment of that broad and English-like government of the town which today still prevails. In the promotion of the many schemes for the welfare of the borough he took a prominent part, his utterances in debate being always received with the greatest respect by his fellow councillors. Holding strong opinions yet he was especially tolerant of the views of others, and many discussions were stripped of the petty animosities, which local life engenders, by his tactful language. He served on innumerable committees, and though leading a busy life in other walks he was diligent and punctual in his civic duties. So well and faithful did he serve his native town that it was a fitting compliment that in November, 1868, he was elected Chief Magistrate of Bridgewater, and with such dignity, power and success did he discharge the obligations of the office that in the following year he was , by common approval, re-elected to the Mayoral chair. During his two years of office he was to the forefront of every important movement, whilst in his Mayoralty was held the memorable Election Commission. It was fortunate that the Chief Magistracy was in such hands during a trying and none too creditable ordeal for the town, and by his example and energy the ill repute that the unfolding of the story gave to the town was gradually lived down. His intimate knowledge of the river especially fitted him for the post of chairman of the Port and Navigation Committee, a position he filled with great credit over 50 years. Being of a progressive spirit he, with Ald. Alfred Peace, was one of the prime movers in the much-debated and severely-criticised extensive scheme fore improving the town's waterway. The winding and muddy Parretts had caused much trouble to its navigators, and Mr. Sully favoured the attempts to straighten its course. In the stormy discussion of the issue he contributed many wise suggestions, and took a prominent part in the historic town's meetings, when the opponents practically caused the withdrawal of the scheme. In the Market House controversy, when it was proposed to give the town complete control of the market, Mr. Sully took a prominent part, and his diplomatic brain was placed at the service of the town, and the Market House passed into the hands of the borough. The much-debated question of introducing a water supply to the town found Mr. Sully the leader in its favour, and in spite of great opposition, which was characterised with ingenious arguments, a lasting and almost continuous supply of pure water was secured for the inhabitants. In the interesting and important litigation between the Council and the Somersetshire Drainage Commissioners, regarding the control of the river's banks, had it not been for Mr. Sully's masterly guidance and advice it is doubtful whether the case would have been carried to the highest tribunal and this ended in a successful issue as far as the town was concerned. Indeed, Mr Sully seemed to have a natural gift for law, and in the opinion of many of his friends the Bar should have claimed him as its own. He had a particularly political style of speech, being ready to detect the weakness of opposition, and summarise its faults in language kindly but firm. On the 11th August 1870, almost at the conclusion of his second year of office as Mayor, Mr. Sully was elected as Alderman of the Borough, and after gracing the Aldermanic Bench for 31 years, he retired on November 9th 1901. On severing his official connections with the Council his fellow councillors determined to give their revered comrade tangible proof of the esteem in which the held him, and at the Mayoral banquet, held on November 9th 1901, at the Royal Clarence the then Mayor (Ald. T. W Manship) presented Mr. Sully, on behalf of the Council and officials, with a handsome silver rose bowl. The following address which accompanied the gift, nicely expressed the feeling of regard entertained by the Councillors for their veteran confrere:- "We, members and officials, of the Corporation of the borough of Bridgewater, desire to convey to you our profound regrets in having, by your voluntary retirement, to lose your valuable services in connection with that body. It is worthy of mention that you were first elected by the burgesses of the borough on the 1st November 1856 you served the office of Mayor in the years 1869 and 1870, and in the following year you were created Alderman. In the several capacities your association with the municipal government of the town has extended over the long period of forty five years. We tender to you our sincere thanks for the honourable and efficient labour so willingly and unflinchingly rendered on behalf of your native town, and place on record our deep appreciation of the generous, painstaking, and public spirits which had actuated in the important offices you have so faithfully discharged. We ask your acceptance of the accompanying silver centre bowl as a slight token of our united regret and esteem, remembering the feeling of gratitude and satisfaction your untiring efforts during the varied experience of your lengthy service, and devotion with which you have applied yourself to all phases of municipal life and work." The reply of Mr Sully revealed his unassuming qualities, and a desire ever to acknowledge the help of others, whilst it also gave a glimpse of the reason that had prompted him to devote so large a share of his life to his native town. In the course of a characteristically happy speech he said:- "I desire emphatically to say that the public works to which you have so graciously alluded were attempted and accomplished in conjunction with other members of the Council, and to them I desire to express my obligations for hearty and unstinted cooperation. I thank you, Mr. Mayor, my late colleagues and the officials of the Corporation, for the beautiful and valuable souvenir you have presented me - a souvenir which, which great as its intrinsic value, will be vastly more prized as assuring me that many years of association in public works can be terminated in the kindest manor, and with mutable esteem and affection. It is a joy to me to have been born and lived so long in connection with Bridgewater. Looking back over the past, I recall many alterations, improvements and enlargements. To have taken even a humble share in these developments is a sufficient recompense for labour and thought expended for the common weal. There is a certain robustness about Bridgewater people that makes for individuality, and whilst saving them from monotony, has not prevented united effort for intelligent progress. I earnestly hope that the future of municipal life in the old borough will ever be characterised by the best features of the past, and that public business will be so conducted as to prove that singleness of purpose and united action must redound to the comforts, happiness, and well being of the community."
Mr Sully's energy were by no means exhausted by his whole-hearted devotion to the work of the Council. Indeed, the more he did the more he seemed able to do. Although leaving school at thirteen and a half years of age, he was throughout his life deeply interested in education, and lost no opportunity to preach its increasing value in the increasing strenuousness of life. Before he was 28 he became Governor of the Independent College, at Taunton, now known as Taunton School, and fifteen years later he was elected chairman of the Governors, a position he had held at the time of his death for more than 33 years. He was also appointed a Governor of Dr.Morgan's School, at Bridgewater, and some years ago was also appointed chairman of this educational body. He was usually the chairman at the speech day proceedings at both schools, and his genial provenance and pleasant speech were ever welcome incidents in the proceedings. Although deeply attached to the importance of secondary education yet he was equally concerned for the instruction of the young of the poorer classes. In the early days, when the question of education was not as keenly recognised as today, Mr. Sully pressed on the attention of the town the necessity for the adoption of the Elementary School Acts, and Bridgewater was one of the first towns in the country to adopt them, the first school board being formed in 1875. It was a fitting reward for his labours that he was appointed the first chairman of the Board and for many years he presided over the deliberations of that body with much credit, guiding and shaping the policy in a wise manor, and before experience could be gained from other towns. Devoted as he was to his native town he loved the county of his birth nonetheless, and his name is well known and honoured in many parts of Somerset today. In 1892 he stood for North Ward of the borough in the County Council elections, his opponent being the late Mr. Thos. Starkey. After the interesting contest Mr Sully was elected by a considerable majority, and to the time of his death was a member of the county body. In March last, when opposition again threatened, Ald. Foster, the representative of the South Ward, changed to the North Ward, and Mr Sully was granted a walkover in the South Ward. At the first meeting of the Council, however, in April last the well-deserved compliment was paid to Mr. Sully by his election as an Alderman of Somerset. He was a Justice of the Peace for the borough and the county, but latterly he sat only on the County Bench, of which occasionally e has acted as chairman. He invariably presided at the Highbridge Police Court, and as a magistrate he exercised sound judgement, being lenient to the unfortunate and severe upon the incorrigible. He was formerly a Guardian for Bridgewater but retried a co considerable time ago. He was on the directorate of several companies, having been chairman of the directors of the Bridgewater Gas Light Co. and to his foresight much of the success of that concern is due. He was a manager of the Bridgewater Steam Towing Company, a member of the committee of Marine Insurance, and a director of Messrs W. Thomas and Co. Ltd. of Wellington.
There was another side to Mr. Sully's career and that was the continuous and zealous part he took in the religious affairs of the town. A Congregationalist by birth and conviction he was faithful to his own cause without being bigoted against others. Although a strong Non-conformist he was highly respected by his many Church of England friends, for whilst not altogether agreeing with the whole of the doctrine and government of the Established Church, yet he honoured her noble work and aim. As a lad and young man Mr. Sully attended the old Zion chapel in Friarn Street and later in life was one of the chief instigators in the erection of the handsome Congregational church that now stands in Fore-street. He gave liberally to the building fund, in addition to serving on the committee and suggesting ways and means of accomplishing the object in view. He was a deacon of the chapel, and at the time of his death one of the trustees. So highly honoured was he in the circle of Congregationalism that some years ago he was appointed chairman of the Somerset Congregational Union. His connection with the Fore-street church in Bridgewater is, perhaps, chiefly remembered by his life-long interest in Sunday-school work. He attended the Sunday-school as a boy in the Zion chapel, and had for a time as teacher, the late Sir George Williams, the founder of the Y.M.C.A. The friendship thus begun was a life long intimacy and joy to both. From his famous teacher he imbibed a love for the work and under his superintendency the school grew from a humble beginning to one of the largest and most important Sunday-schools in the town. He spoke and presided at endless Sunday-school anniversaries, and was one of the first presidents of the Bridgewater Sunday-school Union. His deep interest in the work led the county of Somerset to appoint him as the representative of the county on the Executive Committee of the National Council of the Sunday-School Union. In July, 1903, he took part in the demonstration held on the Cornhill Bridgewater, in connection with the centenary of the Sunday-school Union, and gave a stirring address to nearly 3,000 scholars. Although living at Burnham he was still a member of the Fore-street church, and only last year in a particularly reminiscent speech opened a two-days' bazaar, whereby the existing debt upon the church was liquidated. Recently and an excellent article appeared in the "Sunday School Times" accompanied by a photograph of Mr. Sully. Speaking of him a superintendent the paper says: - "Mr.
Sully began to teach when still a youth, and was later chosen as superintendent, and thus `came to his own' for it was as superintendent that he shone. Like his friend, Mr. Bellway, he has all the qualifications as an ideal superintendent, a fine commanding figure, a smiling, genial face which inspires love and trust, a hearty fatherly greeting and interest in his teachers and senior scholars, a promptness and preparedness that ensures order and efficiency and that expectant attitude that draws out the best in all his colleagues coupled with a childlike devotedness in his religious exercises that gives an atmosphere to home and Sunday-school life, which it is impossible to describe but which cannot but be felt." Having recapitulated the many phases of Mr. Sully's career, the article concludes with the following reference to the more private life of the deceased gentleman:- "But a great life is not all spent in the public gaze and Mr. Sully has been no exception. He has a warm affection for the fireside, and although his wife preceded him into the unseen world a few years ago, they spent many years together, were blessed with a family of eleven children, of whom six sons and one daughter survived, the daughter presiding over the house and watching over his comfort with solicitous care. His sons are scattered over the world, but are bearing witness in their several lives, one is a deacon at Dr. Horton's church, and another is a deacon at Penarth; another is in Natal, another in Australia, to the fine old Christian gentleman whose name they bear.
And what shall we say more? Mr. Sully has
That which should accompany old age,
As honour, love, obedience, troops of friends.
And if a man is known by his friends, we need only mention that Dr. Horton spent some weeks with Mr. Sully in Italy and Switzerland a few years ago, and that Rev. A. Smellie is not merely a daily companion in his family worship meditation."
In politics Mr. Sully was a Liberal, and until advancing age compelled him to relinquish an active participation in them he, with Dr. W.I. Winterbotham, was a leader of the party in the division. He was a frequent speaker in electoral campaigns both in town and country. At the last General Election he took little part, beyond presiding at one or two gatherings in the Wells Division.
In endless ways Mr. Sully entered into local life, and to local charities and to those in need was a kind friend. He had a particularly sympathetic nature, and he was greatly respected by the seafaring fraternity of the port. As a public speaker few equalled him in the neighbourhood, and his services, which were readily granted, were in frequent demand for both town and district. Possessed of a robust presence, and an enthusiastic countenance, he usual gave spirit to drooping meetings although never straining after rhetorical effect he had the gift of fluency without being verbose, and his speeches and addresses were given with an easy flow of language. There was a sense of completeness about each sentence which was graceful, rounded and emphatic, and when uttered in Mr. Sully's pleasant resonant voice carried considerable conviction. So far from flippant he had a delicate sense of humour, but its expression was so neatly arranged that the context of the speech was not disturbed.
Nearly 20 years ago Mr. Sully, who formerly lived on Wembdon Hill, left Bridgewater, and subsequently went to Burnham to reside. In that pleasant seaside resort his known ability was used to the advantage of the town, in numerous ways, being for some years chairman of the Burnham Urban Council, whilst he was also closely identified with many religious movements.
The deceased leaves the following grown-up children to mourn his loss: Miss Eva Sully (Burnham), who was with her father on the continent, Mr. A.W. Sully (London), Mr. Ernest J. Sully (Cardiff), Mr. F.J. Sully (Cardiff), Dr. Max Sully (Claygate Surrey), Mr. E.H. Sully (Sydney New South Wales) and Mr. Clement W. Sully (Johannesburg), whilst his other close relatives are Mr. T.N Sully (Weston-super-Mare, brother), Mrs. Brook (Weston-super-Mare, sister), Mrs. Thos. Ware (Burnham, sister), and Miss Hannah Sully (Burnham, sister). The family have received a great number of letters of sympathy.
Almost immediately after the receipt of the news the vessels lying in the river, and the merchant offices on the quay, floated flags at half-mast as a sign of respect for one who had spent so great a portion of his life beside the river, for which he had a great affection.
REFERENCE AT THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
On Sunday morning, at the Congregational chapel, Fore-street, the Pastor (the Rev. H. Butler), in the course of his sermon, made a feeling allusion to the decease of Mr. Sully. He said God had seen fit to take from them a dear friend, who had just died far from his home and his friends. He referred to Mr. G. H. Sully, whose loss e felt in many departments of life and amongst many circles of Christian people. Mr. Sully showed a good example in the pride he held in his many public offices. He had a strong nature, which, but for the influence of the Holy Spirit, might have become oppressive, but which, through the influence of that Spirit, became more and more useful and attractive as his life went on. He well remembered the first time he met Mr. Sully. It was when he had returned from a tour in the East with Dr. Horton, and he remembered that in his of the tour Mr. Sully said nothing about the honour of being the travelling companion of so Godly a man as Dr. Horton. In lives of such a character God had given them examples of the means of that power with which Christ worked upon the human heart.
MARINERS CHAPEL
At the chapel in St. John street on Sunday the Rev. H. Mould, the pastor, made feeling allusion to the death of Mr. Sully, and remarked that he was one of the most generous supporters of the work at Mariner's chapel and would be greatly missed by them.
HIS LIFE AT BURNHAM
Our Burnham correspondent writes: - The first news of the serious illness of Mr. Sully came as a shock of alarm to all who knew him, and those who were aware of cardiac weakness entertained fears of a pessimistic outcome when to others it seemed incredible that the dignified and noble presence would never be see in Burnham again. But the worst fears have been fulfilled, and a great and noble man has gone to his rest. He made life a noble thing to behold; a stately and beautiful example of possibility, and his influence over men, and especially over young people and young men, have been unparalleled; happily for them his influence will last a long day yet.
It is considerably over 20 years that Mr. Sully came to this town, and his coming was the greatest personal asset for many a long year. He at once interested himself, after his wont, in the life of the churches, in education, and in the principles and practices of the Liberal Party. Mr. Sully was the founder of technical education in the town, and during all the years of his chairmanship of the committee, its proceedings were marked by great success.
Upon the cessation of the Boards of Health, and the appointment of Urban Councils, Mr. Sully was chosen one of the first three of the first nine, and was chosen chairman. Until in dignity and scorn of what he believed to be unworthy and, in his own phrase, "un-English" practices he left the Council, Mr. Sully was its chairman, and his farseeing, wise and most highly capable administration is to be seen in results that will always continue to the advantage of the town. Speaking as those who reported every public Council meeting at which he presided, we say with the utmost confidence that he was never pusillanimous, faint-hearted, or weak, but aggressive, earnest and loyal to the best interests of Burnham. Mr. Sully was regarded by the Free Churches of the town as the leading Nonconformist layman in Burnham. His social position, his ample and generous hospitality, his wise gifts, his keen interest, his earnest and persuasive eloquence made him a great power in the churches. Of late years, a tongue which he could clothe with bitter scorn, appeared to prefer methods of persuasion rather than of satire. Dear to his heart was the movement of the Y.M.C.A.., being himself, as he loved to remember, an old friend of Sir George Williams.
But there fell to his lot in the last 19 or 20 years of his life, a work more imperishable, because more directly personal than any. Those who have had the honour for any length of time of being members of the Adult School movement, and particularly those who have been members of the original class of the local school saw the man at his best. It was the rarest thing that Mr. Sully absented himself from his chair, and only questions of health ever kept him away: the deepest family trouble failed wholly to interrupt his work there. In that class have been proud to gather working men,
clergymen of the Church of England and of all the churches, officers of the Army, University graduates, devout students of Holy Scripture, and those who for long years of religious life have pondered the word of God, found deep draughts of refreshment in the knowledge and exposition of this man of God. For many years the concluding moments of the morning's study were by tacit consent the opportunity of the president of class A to personally deal with and apply the topic, and those moments became sacred indeed to the members of the class. The gatherings at "Class A" in the Burnham Adult School have determined the moral history of many lives. Mr. Sully made that class a house of theological study, and of rich influence for righteousness.
How he bore great trouble is too sacred a theme for the columns of a newspaper, but trouble dealt heavy blows in the loss of his distinguished University son, in the loss which came in the death of that esteemed lady whom we all knew as Miss Grace Sully, and in the death of his wife.
The church bells tolled a prolonged boom on Saturday, and at the request of the vicar and of the church wardens, a muffled peal was rung during the evening.
On Sunday morning, in the Adult School, Mr. J. B. Braithwaite bore full and touching testimony to the work and life of the late Mr. G. B. Sully, particularly in regard to the Adult School. Further brief addresses to the same end were delivered by Mr. R. E. Gibbons and Mr. W. H. Hutchin, and a vote of sympathy with the bereaved family was carried. The desk in the Pavilion, where the Wesleyan congregation gathered, was placed in mourning, and reference was made there, in the Baptist church, and in the Barrow Wesleyan chapel to the invaluable life now ended. Flags on Saturday and subsequently have been flying from the half-mast in many places.
BURNHAM ADULT SCHOOL
On Sunday morning the whole school met under the shadow of a great loss by the death of their vice-president, Mr. G. B. Sully, who had presided over Class A for nearly twenty years, and had manifested the greatest possible interest in the school. After singing the hymn "0 God our help in ages past," the president of the school (Mr. J. B. Braithwaite) began by quoting the words of David, "Know ye not that there is a prince and a great man fall in Israel this day?" and went on to say that though our valued and honoured leader had been called to the higher services above the spirit of his life urged us to gird up our loins, arise, close up the ranks, and with renewed energy to carry on the work which was so dear to him. The call home of a leader was a call to those who were left to fresh dedication to the Lord's work - for He works through human instrumentality. He then moved the following resolution: - "The members of the Burnham Adult school desire to express their great sense of loss in the death of their beloved vice-president, Mr. G. B. Sully: Their thankfulness to God for the faithful witness he born to the `Fatherhood of God, the atoning sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the Brotherhood of Man, ` for the bright example he set, the loving teaching he gave, and for all the sympathy he showed to them from the commencement of the school (a period of nearly twenty years). They pray that the members of his family may be divinely supported and sustained in this trying bereavement, and assure them of the school's sincerest sympathy." Mr. R. E. Gibbons, in seconding the resolution, spoke of Mr. Sully's tactfulness and love of peace, and also the powerful support he had given to the Adult school movement in the county and also in London. The school secretary (Mr. W. F. W. Hutchin) and many other members of the school having borne testimony to the esteem and affection in which he was held the resolution was carried unanimously. - Captain Morgan opened the subject which was "The Fellowship of the Holy Spirit, " and there was a chastened and devout feeling throughout the meeting.
A TRIBUTE FROM THE BOROUGH BENCH
At the weekly sitting of the borough Bench, this (Tuesday) morning the Mayor said that before they commenced the business he would like to make some reference to the passing of their brother magistrate, Mr. G. B. Sully, who was known to them all as a true and good man. Although Mr. Sully had not taken any part in the deliberations of the borough Bench for some years past, yet in years gone by he did a great deal of magisterial work to the very best of his judgement. The Bench regretted very much to learn he had now passed away. The day before he left England he (the
Mayor) sat with him on a committee in connection with borough affairs, and Mr. Sully left in a pleasant mood and as a healthy as at any time he (the Mayor) had known him.
Mr. W. T. Baker, Town Clerk, on behalf of the legal profession, said that he would like to endorse all the Mayor had said in regard to the deceased gentleman. He was with Mr. Sully at the committee referred to by the Mayor, and Mr. Sully then appeared in his usual health. He was sure the loss would be very great to that borough by the death of Mr. Sully.
Alderman F. C. Foster said that he would like to bear his tribute of respect and sympathy to his departed old friend, Mr. Sully, who had served the town in so many capacities for so many years. They all mourned his loss to-day. As the Mayor had rightly said, the late Mr. Sully had served as a member of the borough Bench with great efficiency and with great tact, and they sympathised with the family circle very deeply, as well as they did with the town generally, in the great loss they had sustained.
The Magistrates' Clerk, Mr. C. E. Hagon, asked to be allowed on behalf of himself and other officers of the court to add his expression of regret at the loss the town and community generally sustained in the death of the late Mr. Sully. Although the deceased gentleman had not taken an active part in sitting upon the borough Bench, yet they knew that for some years past he had taken an active part in the deliberations of the county Bench, and had always been ready and willing to do any work that was required of him outside the actual sitting in court in connection with his magisterial duties. He (the speaker) had known Mr. Sully all the time he had been in Bridgewater, and one could not but feel that Mr. Sully was a man of exceptional ability and a man of great goodness. His loss would be long mourned by the borough and by all with whom he came into contact.
THE FUNERAL
The funeral of the deceased gentleman will take place at the Wembdon-road cemetery, Bridgewater, in Saturday morning next, following a service in the Congregational chapel, Fore-street, at 11.15, and it will be attended by the Mayor and Corporation. Mr. T. Biddick (Mears, Manchip and Sons, the undertakers) is proceeding to Dover to-day (Tuesday) to arrange for the conveyance of the coffin containing the mortal remains of the deceased gentleman to Bridgewater. It will be observed from our obituary notice that a special request is made that no flowers be contributed.
24 February 2010
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