November 22nd John Matthews (Death)

 

 

 

Morvah – born John Matthews (1807 – 1871)  was brought up by his uncle who ran The Miners Arms.  He was apprenticed to a carpenter but after its completion he joined the firm of  John Crocker of Penzance, as an engineer, rapidly becoming a partner and taking an additional role of architect.

In the 1840s, Matthews was appointed the Borough Surveyor of Penzance.  In his new role, he produced a map of a new town with sewerage works, a new market, a new cemetery,  the Albert Pier, the Queen’s Hotel and the new civic public buildings – now known as St. John’s Hall (April 27th).

Matthews retired in 1869 on the grounds of ill health and was buried in the cemetery he had designed. 

His two sons both rose to prominence, Sir William Matthews as President of the Institution of Civil Engineers and his brother, Sir John Matthews as Engineer in Chief with Trinity House who was responsible for the design of many lighthouses including that at Beachy Head and at Pendeen.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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