A link with the early history of Victoria and particularly the Church of England his been severed by the death of Archdeacon Beamish which occurred yesterday at the residence of his son-in-law, Mr. J. Alfred Johnstone, of Stanhope Grove, Camberwell. The reverend gentleman, although he had reached the age of 90 years, enjoyed good health until shortly before his death.

Archdeacon Peter Teulon Beamish, a distinguished scholar of Dublin University, was the son of Dr. John Beamish of Killinear House, in County Cork, Ireland. He was born in 1824 and in 1847 emigrated to Sydney with Dr. Francis Thomas Cusack Russell, and both were ordained deacons by Bishop William Grant Broughton. Two years later they came to Victoria, and Dr. Beamish was appointed vicar of the parish of Warrnambool, which extended then west to Hamilton and east to Geelong. He continued as vicar there for a period of 45 years when he resigned on the advice of Dr. Nettleship, the London oculist. In 1878 he was made Archdeacon of Warrnambool by Bishop Samuel Thornton, with jurisdiction over a considerable part of the Western district.

On two occasions, in 1881 and 1887, when Bishop Thornton was absent in England, he appointed Dr. Beamish administrator of the diocese of Ballarat. In the course of his long ministerial career Dr. Beamish knew most of the early settlers in the Western district, and saw the whole growth of the State from its infancy. When first he visited Melbourne from Warrnambool he had to journey on horseback all the way, and steer by the compass. Every river had to be forded, as there was not a single bridge existing.

He was an exceptionally able scholar, and continued to read the Greek and Latin classics to the end of his life. At Dublin University he obtained honours at every examination. Upon his visit to Ireland in 1877 the degrees of master of arts, doctor of divinity and doctor of laws and logic were conferred upon him by Dublin University. He was the senior Anglican clergyman in Australia, and the last surviving member of the first Church Assembly held in Australia, which was attended by the late Mr. Childers, Sir William Stawell, Sir Charles Sladen, Sir James Palmer, Mr. Haines (then Premier of Victoria), and others.

He married Isabella Mary Bews, daughter of Captain John Bews of the 73rd Highlanders, and sister of the Countess Roberts, in 1856. She died a few months ago. His uncle, Colonel Peter Teulon, commanded a regiment at the battle of Waterloo, and his eldest brother, who died quite recently in London, at the age of 97, was a general officer in the Indian Army.

His surviving children are Mrs. J. Alfred Johnstone, of Stanhope Grove, Camberwell, and Mrs. Cecil Knight. Amongst his many grandchildren is Dr. Frank Beamish.