Henry John Davis, Mayor of Newport 1851 - 1852 , 1891 - 1892 and 1901 - 1902
Photo reference number: 2281
Photo and text from Johns's Newport Directory 1892.
The First Mayor of the County Borough of Newport
The portrait which graces our Tide Table is that of Alderman H. J. Davis, the first Mayor of the new County Borough of Newport, and Chairman of the Newport Harbour Commission. Alderman Davis has had a long and honourable connection with the town, the civic chair of which he is now worthily filling for the second time. A native of Horningham, near Warminster, Wiltshire, his worship, as far back as 1838, joined an old established firm of family lawyers at Newport, and, as legal adviser to Lord Tredegar and his father, he has had much to do with the commercial development of the port. Mr. Davis was enrolled as a special constable during the Chartist agitation, and on the night following the attack on the old Westgate Hotel, he, with several others, were instrumental in arresting the late John Frost in a cottage near Gold Tops.
It was in the year 1842 that Mr. Davis was first elected to the Town Council, and, with a brief interregnum, he has since that time uninterruptedly occupied a seat in the corporate body - an incident with few parallels in the kingdom. He first attained the Mayoral dignity in 1851, just forty years ago, and probably he is the only surviving member of the councillors who composed the local parliament of that time. This being the jubilee year of the worthy alderman's connection with the Town Council, it was thought the occasion would be very opportune and appropriate for him to again occupy the civic chair, while the honour is increased by the fact of Alderman Davis being the first Mayor of the County Borough of Newport. His election to the Mayoral dignity for the second time was unanimous, and afforded much satisfaction to the townspeople. His Worship was the recipient of a gold watch and chain, accompanied by an address, presented by the Corporation and principal officials.
Alderman Davis was recently elected Chairman of Newport Harbour Commission (of which he was senior member), an honour conferred upon him with unanimity after the resignation of his predecessor. In this capacity he will be brought into close relationship with all matters pertaining to the progress of the port, whether in the form of improving the river, the creation of a harbour trust, or other modes of developing the capabilities of our magnificent waterway. His worship, by virtue of the civic office, is also a member of the Newport Pilotage Commissioners.
The new Mayor has been Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Newport and County Infirmary for many years, and has just been elected a Director of the Newport Gas Company. Other public offices which he holds are the Registrarship of the Newport County Court, the Clerkships to the Newport and Christchurch Petty Sessional Divisions (the latter of which he has filled for close on half a century), and similar appointments for the Newport and Christchurch Highway Boards.
In 1845 Alderman Davis was appointed agent for the Tredegar estates in Glamorganshire, but relinquished the general control of that property for the more immediate management of the building land in and adjacent to Cardiff, the ground rents for which are believed to yield an annual revenue of £10,000. He is likewise manager for the Tredegar Wharf Company, which owns the bulk of the landed property in Newport.
The firm of solicitors (Messrs. Davis and Lloyd) of which the new Mayor is senior partner, enjoys a lucrative practice. His worship, who is a widower, has been twice married. He is a Conservative, people's warden of St. Woolos Church, and is known for his charity and generosity. Though 78 years of age, his worship is particularly hale and active, having, as he has publicly remarked, had very little illness throughout his life.
Newport Past Note: Henry was mayor of Newport for a third time 1901-1902 when he must have been 88 years old!
