Thomas Woollcombe

Educated at Blundell's School Tiverton, 14 April 1809 - 18 December 1812.

He was a solicitor at Devonport, of the firm Woollcombe, Venning, Goldsmith.

Chairman of the South Devon Railway, 1849 - 1875. He was also a close friend of Sir William Molesworth of Pencarrow in Cornwall.

From: Illustrated London News

http://www.mtholyoke.edu/cours...

OPENING OF THE CORNWALL RAILWAY

As there are sharp curves at both ends of the bridge, which causes the line to assume a horseshoe form, of which the bridge is the arch, an excellent view of it can be obtained on approaching it from either the Cornwall or Devon side. The train, therefore, after reaching the Saltash station, continued on for about a quarter of a mile, to give the Royal party an opportunity of inspecting the bridge from one of the best points of view. The train having returned to the Saltash station, the Prince Consort alighted, and, accompanied by Mr. Woolcombe, walked across the bridge and rninutely examined the works. His Royal Highness then proceeded to examine the works underneath the bridge; and, having partaken of a collation, he embarked on board the Vivid, and proceeded down the Hamoaze amidst a Royal salute from the battery on the hill. The Royal party again shortly afterwards disembarked at Tor Point, on the Cornish side of the harbour, whence they rode over to Tregantle, on the western side of Mount Edgecumbe, where some considerable defensive fortifi-cations are in course of erection. His Royal Highness, after a short stay, again embarked on board the Vivid, in which he was coriveyed to Mill Bay, whence he proceeded to the railway station, where he partook of a substantial luncheon before taking his departure for London. The Royal train started frorn Plymouth shortly before seven o'clock, and arrived at Windsor a few minutes after one a.m.

The Cornwall Railway was formally opened on the following day throughout its entire length to Truro ... and was thrown open for public traffic on Wednesday.

[ILN MAY 14 1859]

Motto on coat of arms 'Candide sed caute'

From the 1851 Census

: Devonshire

Relation to Head of House: Head

Place of Birth: Ashbury, Devonshire, England

Gender: Male

Age: 51

Marital Status: Unmarried

Occupation: Solicitor Townclerk

Residence at time of Census: Ker Street