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From:
Subject: Re: DOWSETT research
Date: Wed, 1 Jan 2003 06:52:00 EST

In a message dated 24/12/2002 19:32:35 GMT Standard Time,
writes:

> The Dowsett name is well-known around Southend. There is a hospital ward
> named after the family too (as well as that Avenue) - several of them were
> 'big' in the Borough some 100 years or so ago and on into the 20th Century.


Thomas Dowsett was the first mayor of Southend and was one of the major
developers of the town. He is buried at St Johns church yard (behind the
Royals shopping centre) and his grave is marked by an obelisk.

He was joint purchaser of the Milton estate (the manor house is now 'Nazareth
House') with John George Baxter who is thought to have been the main supplier
of funds for the purchase. Baxter is also said to have provided the funds for
the Heygate, Scratton and Ramuz families and as a result they all made their
fortunes. Baxter was a major supporter of the Methodist Church in the
Southend area even when he moved up to Southwark while he was a Billingsgate
shellfish merchant. He is also buried near Dowsett in a much less
ostentatious grave.

Their life stories are well documented by Benton in his 'History of the
Rochford Hundred'.

Dowsett Avenue disappeared in the 1960/70s when the inner ring-road
(Queensway) was built, but Baxter Avenue still exists.

DaveD

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