Richard Thornton West
Richard Thornton West (c1817-1878), East India Merchant
1871 Living at Streatham Hall, Cowley Road, Exeter: Richard Thornton West (age 54 born Clapham), Retired East India merchant). With his wife Sarah and son Richard B. Twelve servants.[1]
1878 Died. 'We have to report, with sincere regret, the death of Mr. Richard Thornton West, which occurred on Friday evening, at his residence, Streatham Hall, Cowley road, near Exeter. This estimable gentleman was a nephew of Mr. Richard Thornton, the well-known London millionaire. He lived for some years in India where he amassed a handsome fortune as a successful merchant in Batavia. After his return to England he inherited a large fortune from his uncle Mr. Richard Thornton. For the past ten or twelve years Mr. Thornton West had resided at Streatham Hall, which he built after he had purchased the Hoopern estate, of about 300 acres, upon which it is erected. Some time ago he was attacked with paralysis and since then he has been under medical treatment....'[2]
Note: Streatham Hall later became one of the key buildings of Exeter University