Founding committee

John Allen (1790-1859)

John Allen was a member of the Fox family, his grandfather being Joseph Fox. He was the Treasurer of the Society of Friends and a director of the Cornwall Railway Company. He formed the Liskeard branch of the Bible Society and a fund which for over 20 years supplied poor people with coal at reduced prices.

Thomas Bedford Bolitho (1835-1915)

Thomas Bolitho was only 21 when he was appointed to the committee, but he went on to become a successful banker and industrialist. He was a Director at Barclays Bank as well as being a Director of the Great Western Railway. He was the MP for St Ives between 1887 and 1900 and was also the High Sheriff of Cornwall in 1884. His uncle, Thomas Simon Bolitho, was also involved with the Society and his daughter Mary Williams would go onto become Chair in 1956.

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William Carne (1793-1869)

William Carne was a wine merchant from Falmouth who came from an important family of merchants, bankers and mine speculators. Mr Carne became Vice-Chairman of the Cornwall Railway Company and served as Mayor of Falmouth for many years.

Thomas Coode (1797-1875)

Thomas Coode was a solicitor from St Austell whose family-run business still has branches across Cornwall today. He was well known for helping the poor in Cornwall. Thomas was on the committee until his death in 1875, when his son Arthur took over his position. Thomas’ daughter Jane spent six years on the committee whilst Arthur remained for 35 years until his death in 1910.

Charles Fox (1797-1878)

A well-known philanthropist in Cornwall, Charles Fox was a Quaker and scientist who was known for his contributions to Cornish mining. Not only was he a founder of the Royal Cornwall Polytechnic Society but he also helped to establish the Miners Association of Cornwall of which he was President for a number of years. He then went on to become President of the Royal Geological Society. Charles was the uncle of Caroline Fox and he served on the committee until his death in 1878. His brother, Robert Were Fox, later became Chair of the Society.

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Rev George Hadow (1817-1892)

Rev George Hadow was the Vicar of St Just-in-Penwith between 1855 and 1867 before moving to Tiverton to become Rector. He was Chair of the Bible Society branch in Penzance and Chaplain to the 20th Duke of Cornwall Rifles.

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Rev John Webster Hawksley (1799-1877)

Rev John Hawksley was the Rector of Redruth for over 40 years. In fact, he officiated at so many weddings he became known as ‘the man who married Redruth’. He was so adored by his constituents that they pooled together and presented him with a life-sized portrait of himself as a token of their esteem. He remained on the committee until his death in 1877.

A sketch of a man with a beard under his chin sitting with his arm resting on a table

William Robert Hicks (1808-1868)

William Hicks was the Governor of the Cornwall County Asylum and introduced more humane methods of treating patients than chaining them up in dark cells. He was also Mayor of Bodmin in 1865. However, it was witty storytelling that he was remembered for. Mr Hicks was described by writer Sir Arthur Quiller-Couch as the ‘best storyteller that ever lived in the Westcountry’.

A black and white photo of a portly gentleman with impressive side burns. He is wearing coat tails and is standing next to a plinth which is holding his top hat.

Rev Charles Noel Mann (1822-1903)

Rev Charles Mann was the Rector of Mawgan for 10 years before becoming the Vicar of St Issey in 1865. During his time in St Issey he rebuilt the parish church, and he also took great interest in the building of Truro Cathedral, actively helping to start the movement for its construction. He was well-loved by his parishioners and when he left Mawgan they remarked that he was a man who ‘did not assist the poor occasionally, but continuously’. He served on the committee for 22 years.

Rev John Punnett (1801-1863)

Rev John Punnett was the Vicar of St Erth for 30 years and strongly supported the attempt to provide education for miners and the working classes. Not only was he a founding member of the Miners Association but he was also the Treasurer of Cornwall General Infirmary and Secretary of the Cornwall Auxiliary Bible Society. It was Rev Punnett who, in 1856, proposed that an institution for the welfare of the blind should be established in Cornwall.

John Jope Rogers (1816-1880)

John Jope Rogers, a county magistrate for Cornwall, chaired the first annual meeting of the society in 1857 where the committee was appointed. Mr Rogers was a well-respected figure in Cornwall and held a number of key roles over the years including Conservative MP for Helston, President of the Royal Institution of Cornwall, President of Cornwall General Infirmary and President of the Helston Bank. He was also a board member of the Cornwall Railway Company and owned the Penrose Estate in Helston.

Canon Saltren Rogers (1823-1905)

Canon Saltren Rogers was the younger brother of John Jope Rogers. He was the Vicar of Gwennap for 37 years and became a Canon of Truro Cathedral in 1878. He had a keen interest in education and was one of the founders of the Miners Association of Cornwall which aimed to give miners a good education. He was also a member of the Royal Institution of Cornwall and Governor of Cornwall General Infirmary. Canon Rogers was on the Society’s committee for almost 50 years before retiring in 1904. During that time he took stints as both Chair and Secretary.

Rev Edward Tippett (1812-1876)

Rev Edward Tippett was the Society’s first Secretary. He was the Vicar of St Allen as well as being Governor and Chaplain of the Cornwall General Infirmary.

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Rev James Frederick Todd (1808-1863)

Rev James Todd was the Vicar of Liskeard for 24 years, during which time he rebuilt the vicarage house and erected a chapel largely at his own expense. He was well loved amongst his parishioners and it was reported that up to 2,000 people attended his funeral.

Robert Tweedy (1806-1898)

Robert Tweedy was a banker and an associate of Tweedy, Williams and Co before it merged with the Cornish Bank where he became Managing Director. It was this experience that made him the perfect choice as Treasurer of the Society, before later becoming Chair. In 1866 Robert’s son Charles took over as Treasurer, a role he held for 42 years. Robert Tweedy was also a member of the Society of Friends and Chairman of the Cornwall Railway.

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William Mansel Tweedy (1796-1859)

As the older brother of Robert, William Tweedy was involved with the charity until his death in 1859. He was also a banker and a Managing Partner in the Cornish Bank. William was President of the Cornish Mining School and Treasurer of Cornwall General Infirmary, as well as being Chairman of the Cornwall Railway Company and a Vice-President of the Royal Cornwall Polytechnic Society. Like his brother he was also a member of the Society of Friends.

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Col Rose Wynter (1803-1878)

Col Rose Wynter was a Major in the East India Company. He moved to St Gluvias, Penryn in 1851 and went on to become treasurer of the Penryn Missionary Fund and President of the Penryn Penny Bank. He served on the committee for 22 years until his death in 1878.

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