Shown as Henry Allworth MERIWETHER.
HENRY ALWORTH MEREWETHER D.L.C. 1782-1864, "SERJEANT AT LAW"
A younger brother was Francis 1784-1864 Rector of Cole Orton. Henry was
educated at Reading School, called to the Bar 5 May 1853. Recorder of
Reading, Attorney General to Adelaide Queen Dowager. Received the Degree
of D.C.L. from the University of Oxford 12th June 1839, Elected Town
Clerk of London 23rd June 1842. By accepting this appointment, he
relinquished a 5,000 Pound income at the Bar. It was said of those who
knew him, that the office of Town Clerk, had never been filled with such
dignity as in his time. He appeared on behalf of the Corporation, in the
Court of Chancery and elsewhere on several occasions, and defended their
interest with great learning and ability. He resigned the Office of Town
Clerk on the 10th Feb. 1859 and died at his family seat of Castleford
near Calne, Wilts., 22 July 1864, in his 84th year.
The Serjeant's principal work is, "The History of the Boroughs and
Municipal Corporations of the United Kingdom" published in three octavo
volumes in 1835 and of the corporate right of Electors.
Report of the case of the Borough of West Looe, 1823. An address to King,
Lords and Commons, on the representative constitution of England 1830.
In the Town Hall at Devizes is a Marble Bust to Henry Merewether,
Recorder of Devizes for 30 years.
St Cath's Death Ref V5a P40 Sep 1864 Calne
Calne Parish Church
Window at the East End of the church, To the Glory of God and in Memory
of Henry Alworth Merewether Sergeant at Law DCL who died at Castlefield
July 22 1864 aged 80. This window was placed by his widow(Elizabeth Mary)
and children.( a problem here as Elizabeth Mary Died 1837)
source Alan Merryweather 2000
NOTE It is thought by some that Henry Alworth was the son of Henry and
Mary White, this would put him as the second or more son! this does not
appear right.
In the Alumni Oxonienses by J Foster he is given as the first son of
Henry of Calne, Armorial.
Will of Henry Alworth proved 22 Nov 1864 at the PRO, Estate of 4000
pounds, Exec's Cealne Mary Merryweather Widow and Relict, and Henry
Alworth Merryweather of Bowden Hill, Chippenham, Barrister at Law, a son
NOTE this is at odds with the name of his Widow on the memorial.
Merewether, Serjernt, 1830, Chippenham, Wil, Pigot Trade Dir, p.795.
MEREWETHER, Henry Alworth - The Speech of Mr Serjeant Merewether, at the
Bar of the House of Commons, Against the Bill Intituled "An Act to Make
Temporary Provision for the Government of Jamaica." Tuesday, 23rd April
1834. (London: Calkin & Budd) 8vo pamph, 1839. The history of Jamaica.
The post-emancipation period. By a British barrister (1780-1864). Very
scarce. BL, DNB, LOC
source=http://www.books.ai/6th/Men-Mil.htm
St Cath's Death Ref V5c P465 Jun 1874 Bath, shown as Cecilia Maria
Merewether.