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Celebrating Hampshire HistoriansDavies, John Silvester (Rev)22.05.1830-14.02.1909The son of a customs officer, John Silvester was born in Bloomsbury. His higher education was undertaken at Pembroke College, Oxford. He was ordained in 1853 and served as a curate at St Algate’s Oxford until 1855. He then succeeded his uncle as priest in charge of Jesus Chapel, Peartree Green (now a suburb of Southampton on the eastern side of the Itchen), where he remained until 1860. After a year as assistant chaplain in Alexandria he returned to Southampton in 1861 and was appointed a curate at St Peters, where he stayed until 1864 when he was appointed as the first incumbent of St Mark’s Woolston. In 1880 he moved to St James’ Enfield Highway, where he was vicar until retirement in 1895. He never married and died at Adelaide House in Enfield in 1909 aged 78. Sourceshttps://www.peartreeandstmarkschurches.org/the-davies-family Crockford’s DirectoriesPortraitThe cover of Davies' book on Southampton. Contribution to county’s historyWith respect to local history, John Silverster’s magnum opus was his history of Southampton (see above/below). This served as an inspiration for later historians of the town. Temple Patterson, for example, listed it as a ‘secondary authority’. Relevant published works
Critical CommentsOther CommentsIn a tribute on the Jesus Chapel website Davies is described as ‘a brilliant scholar and researcher’, with one of his major interests being the reigns of Richard II, Henry IV, Henry V and Henry VI. Some idea of his motivation and approach to local history can be gained from his preface to A History of Southampton, which is quoted at length:
This offers considerable insight into the manner in which Davies viewed his indebtedness to Speed, while seeking to put his own stamp on Southampton’s history. He also sought to be as comprehensive as possible, covering, for example, the town’s municipal institutions, educational provision, built environment and religious history, both Anglican and Nonconformist. Unsurprisingly, given his interests, Davies was a member of the Hamposhire Field Club for a number of years. ContributorRoger Ottewill (16 September 2023) KeywordsHampshire Field Club, SouthamptonAny queries or further suggestions for this part of the list should be addressed to celebrating@hantsfieldclub.org.uk.
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