Rev. JOHN DAVIES MEREWEATHER |
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Born c1817 the son of John Mereweather, gentleman, of St. James', Bristol, England. Educated at St. Edmund Hall, Oxford University (B.A.,1843). Ordained deacon in 1843 and priest in 1844. Arrived at Melbourne on 7 July 1850 per "Sea Queen" from Adelaide, South Australia. Visited Geelong the following month. He was appointed to a Government Chaplaincy in Van Diemen's Land and departed on 10 October 1850 per "Shamrock" for Launceston. Arrived back in Melbourne in March 1851 and the following May received word that he had been licenced by the Lord Bishop of Sydney to the charge of Edward River in New South Wales. Overlanded to the Moolamon area where he established a headquarters. Made a return visit to Melbourne during January to March 1852, overlanding both ways. Departed Sydney, N.S.W. by ship on 25 August 1853 on the first leg of his return journey to England. After visits to Batavia, Singapore, Colombo and Egypt he arrived at Southampton, Hampshire, England on 4 February 1854. Author of numerous works including "Life on Board an Emigrant Ship: being a Diary of a Voyage to Australia" (London, 1852) and "Diary of a working Clergyman in Australia and Tasmania, kept during the years 1850-53" (London, 1859). English Chaplain at Venice, Italy, from 1855. Retired in 1887 but stayed in Venice. Knight of the Order of the Crown of Italy. Died on 18 June 1896 at his residence, Palazzo Contàrini, San Trovaso, Venice, Italy.
[death record; Foster Alumni Oxoniensis; Crockford's Clerical Directories]