Some notes handwritten* by Percy Trollope during the early 1980s:
Thomas Davis, whose decease is recorded by a monumental inscription at Horningsham, was born at Penton, near Weyhill, Co. Hants., on the 11th July 1749. His father was for many years an officer in the Excise. He lived at Hindon, and Devizes, in Wilts., and died as supervisor at Wellington in Somerset.
Mr Thomas had a good classical education at Devizes and was taken into the office at Longleat in December 1763 by Mr Simon Jude Cole, who was then steward to Lord Viscount Weymouth. In 1777 Mr Cole returned to Horningsham superanuated, leaving Mr Davis in possession of his apartments and office at Longleat. On the death of the 3rd Viscount, who was created the first Marquis of Bath, in 1789, and died in March 1796, Mr Davis removed the office with his family to Horningsham Manor House, opposite the old Vicarage. [The Manor House was, at one time, occupied by the 2nd Viscount Weymouth, after leaving Longleat. His altar tomb can be seen in the churchyard.] Mr Davis resided at the Manor House, retaining the stewardship of the Longleat Estate, under the 2nd Marquis, until the time of his decease in 1816.
During the last ten years of his life, his abilities as a land agent were called into more general action, as a commissioner under Acts of Parliament for enclosures, and as a surveyor in letting and selling estates throughout the western counties.
He departed this life 10th November 1807, aged 58, surviving only one day after an attack of paralysis, with which he was awfully visited as Court Baron of his noble patron in the Manor of Frome, East Woodlands. His faculties were, up to this time, in their full vigour, and most actively employed for the good of his family and his country. He was buried in Horningsham Church, where a plain mural monument was erected to his memory, bearing an inscription found in his will in his own handwriting.
Mr Davis had issue three sons and three daughters; all of whom, with their mother, survived him. He bestowed liberal education on his children, at the sacrifice of many domestic and personal comforts. With a heart open and kind in all his social duties, he was happy with all ranks of society, even deeper and instructive with his family, beloved and esteemed by all who knew him. His greatest ambition was to be useful, and in his heart made an attempt, both in public and private character, he was eminently successful. To him we owe the statistical account of Wiltshire, which he very deservedly esteemed, one of the best that has been published.
*These words survive in Percy Trollope’s handwriting. Not sure if Percy Trollope wrote these notes himself from information he gathered or whether he copied them from some unknown source. Probably the latter is correct, as it does appear to be very much like the wording of a newspaper obituary.