Edward Graham ALSTON [72]

   Cause of his death was blackwater fever.

  General Notes:

Edward graduated M. A. Trinity Cambridge, practised as a barrister, settled in British Columbia, Attorney General 1871, then Queens Advocate Sierra Leone.

The following is taken from the Cambridge University Alumni 1261-1900
Alston, Edward Graham.
College: Trinity
Entered: Michs. 1851.
Born: Sept 6 1832.
Died: Nov. 12 1872.
Adm. pens. (age 19) at Trinity, June 21 1851. 2nd s. of George, Clerk. B. Sept. 6 1832.
Adm at Lincoln's Inn, Jan 27 1854.
Called to the Bar, 1857.
Went to Vancouver.
Registrar-General of Vancouver Island, 1861.
Attorney-General of British Columbia, 1871-2.
Queen's Advocate, Sierra Leone, 1871-2
A member of the Legislative Council and of the Executive Council keenly interested in development of the Settlement. While Attorney-General, he was one of a party of explorers into the centre of Vancouver Island.
Mount Alston was named after him.
Twice married and had issue.
Died Nov. 12 1872, of African fever.
M.I. at Studland, Dorset.
(St. Pauls Sch. Reg.; Stemmata Alstoniana).

Lincolns Inn Admissions 1800-1892 Vol 2
1854 27 Jan Folio 31
Edward Graham Alston of Trinity College Camb., (21), 2 s Rev George Alston, Rector Studland Dorset.

Application to practice in Vancouver Island 1867
Mr. Alston; power of Mr. Needham's court,
December 7, 1867.
Ref: earch.bcarchives.gov.bc.ca/sn-48C7FDD/view/TextualRecords/find%2BAlston%2B%2B%2B%2B/8

Handbook to Vancouver Island and British Columbia: with map 18491 Alston, E. Graham (Edward Graham), 1832-1872
http://www.archive.org/stream/cihm_18491#page/n9/mode/2up

Edward Graham Alston
1832 - 1872
Colonial politician, barrister, civil servant, and school administrator.
Edward Graham Alston was born on 6 September 1832 at Cambridge, England, second son of the Reverend George Alston and Anne Charlotte Oxenden. He was educated at St. Paul's School, London, and at Trinity College, Cambridge (B.A., 1855). He trained as a barrister and was called to the bar at Lincoln's Inn in 1857.
Alston was admitted to the bar of Vancouver Island on 15 June 1859, just a month after he arrived in the colony via the Isthmus of Panama. He was a member of the Legislative Council of Vancouver Island in 1861 and 1862 and held various executive posts, including Registrar of Deeds for Vancouver Island (1861-1866).
Following the union of Vancouver Island and British Columbia, Alston served as Commissioner of Savings Banks, Registrar of Joint Stock Companies, and Registrar General for the Colony of British Columbia. He was British Columbia's Attorney-General from May to August 1871, at a time when the colony was preparing to enter Confederation with Canada.
He served in the local militia during the time of the Fenian scare in 1866, and in 1868 joined an exploring party which crossed Vancouver Island from Nootka Sound to the east coast. Mt. Alston, at the head of the Nimpkish River on Vancouver Island, commemorates his journey.
A member of the Church of England, Alston was active in parish affairs in Victoria and New Westminster. He helped to establish a freemason's lodge in Victoria and served on the executive of the Mechanic's Literary Institute in that city. His own literary work was descriptive and included a detailed article entitled "Historical and political summary for ten years - 1858-1868," published in Report of the Columbia Mission, 1868 (London 1869). Alston's essay was reprinted as A hand-book to British Columbia and Vancouver Island (London: 1870).
Alston was a member of the General Board of Education (. . . . . /. . . . . /Schools/Public/vibed.htm) of Vancouver Island from 1865 to 1869. On 6 May 1870 he was appointed Inspector-General of Schools for the Colony of British Columbia, a position created by the Common Schools Ordnance Amendment (. . . . . /Statutes/1870amnd.htm) of April 1870. Alston's duties were to inspect and report on the "management, character, efficiency and general condition" of the public or common schools in the Colony. He was also responsible for approving the qualifications of teachers and for ensuring that they conducted their classes in accordance with the Rules and Regulations for the Management and Government of Common Schools. First published in the Government Gazette on 28 May 1870, the Rules and Regulations <. . . . . /Statutes/rules70.htm> set down hours of instruction, vacation periods, teachers' duties and prescribed text-books.
The Rules and Regulations of 1870 reaffirmed the non-sectarian character of colonial schools [as established in the Common School Act, 1865 (. . . . . /Statutes/csa65.htm)] by stating that "no person shall require any pupil to read or study in, or from, any religious book, or to join in any exercise of devotion or religion objected to by his parents or guardians." The instructions laid down by Alston continued to form the basis of the Rules and Regulations of the Public Schools of British Columbia long after Confederation. Although Alston was an efficient school administrator, and while he favoured a relatively democratic educational system, he had little sympathy with populists such as Amor de Cosmos (Amord.htm) who championed responsible government and Confederation with Canada. Alston opposed both initiatives. In August 1871, shortly after British Columbia concluded terms of union with Canada, he quit Victoria to become Queen's Advocate in the colony of Sierra Leone, in West Africa. There he served as a member of the Legislative and Executive Councils and for several months was acting governor. But his career was cut short. Alston died in Freetown, Sierra Leone of "African fever" on 12 November 1872. He was forty-one years of age.
Alston was predeceased by his wife Elizabeth Caroline Abbott (http://www.bcarchives.gov.bc.ca/cgi-bin/text2html/.visual/img_txt/dir_144/g_08001.txt?G-08001). The two had known each other in England and she had travelled to Victoria to wed Alston on 2 September 1861. She died in Victoria in 1865, after giving birth to their second child. Alston married a second time in 1868 to Anna Maria Tuzo (http://www.bcarchives.gov.bc.ca/cgi-bin/text2html/.visual/img_txt/dir_153/i_46685.txt?I-46685), the sister of a medical doctor in Victoria and by whom he had three children.
Alston was a friend of many prominent citizens in Victoria, including Peter O'Reilly. Point Ellice House, O'Reilly's home on the Gorge waterway, was the centre of the city's socially polite, but politically conservative, faction. Alston was a frequent visitor. His name is commemorated by Alston Street, situated near the western approach to the Point Ellice Bridge, across the water from historic Point Ellice House (http://www.tbc.gov.bc.ca/culture/schoolnet/victoriana/) in Victoria.
Images British Columbia Archives HP-00474 HP-004746 (http://www.bcarchives.gov.bc.ca/cgi-bin/text2html/.visual/img_txt/dir_144/g_08002.txt?G-08002)
References: Dorothy Blakey Smith, "Edward Graham Alston," Dictionary of Canadian Biography, Vol. 10; British Columbia Archives, "Vertical Files."

Last night's Gazette contains the appointment of . . . . . Mr E. G. Alston to the office of Queens Advocate in Sierra Leone. . . . John Bull 7 October 1871.

57, Bedford Gardens,
Campden Hill, W.,
March 10th 1898.
Dear Sir,
. . . . . . . . It might also interest you to know that my father Ed. Graham Alston while Attorney General of Vancouver Island British Columbia was one of a party of explorers of the centre of the Island and one of the mountainsm still bears his name " Mount Alston."
Yours faithfully,
(Miss) CHARLOTTE M. ALSTON.
Alstoniana Pg 375.

African Fever.
The mail that has just arrived from Sierra Leone brings the intelligence of the death of Mr E. G. Alston, the Queens Advocate, after a week's illness. The preceding mail announced the death of M. Rene Buhot, the French Consul, after an equally short attack of fever. Mr Alston was called to the bar in Lincoln Inn in 1857. He served as Attorney General in British Columbia, and he was appointed to Sierra Leone in 1871 at a salary of L1000 a year - since increased to L1200. The acting governor in chief has temporarily appointed a black barrister, Mr Lewis to the vacant office. . . . .
The Times 7 December 1872.

The following "IN MEMORIAM" appeared in "THE NEGRO", Freetown, Sierra Leone, November 20th 1872.
"It becomes our painful duty to announce the death of EDWARD GRAHAM ALSTON, Esq., Queen's Advocate of this Colony. He died at the residence of Acting Chief Justice Huggins on the morning of the 12th inst. at four o'clock. The intelligence of his death spread rapidly through the community, and was received by all classes with the deepest sensibility. EDWARD GRAHAM ALSTON was born in the month of August 1832. He was educated at St. Paul's School and at Trinity College, Cambridge, where he took the degree of B.A. in 1855. He then went to London, and was called to the Bar at Lincoln's Inn in 1857. He was appointed Registrar-General of Vancouver's Island in 1861; Registrar-General of British Columbia in 1870; and Attorney-General in 1871. He arrived at Sierra Leone as Queen's Advocate in November 1871 and was a member of both the Legislative and Executive Councils. He administered the Government of Sierra Leone for three months, during the absence of the Administrator-in-Chief. During the twelve months he lived in Sierra Leone his abilities and high character gave him a foremost place in the staff of officials. His kindly heart and generous disposition endeared him in no ordinary degree to those who knew him well. He gave to every object which he considered worthy, but without ostentation and preferred that his contributions should be known only to their recipients. He was ever ready with his time, and purse in assisting especially Bishop Cheetham and the Clergy of his own Church, by whom his loss will be severely felt. He took a deep interest in the improvement of the people of these Settlements; and he had in view many plans for the material advancement of the Colony, for the opening of roads and fostering of commerce among the aborigines which he recognised as important missionaries in the work of civilization. It is generally understood that he was an active supporter of the present Govenor's measures for the repeal of the Road Tax, House and Land Tax and Market Dues. To us the death of Mr. Alston is a personal affliction".
From the first he took a great interest in the "NEGRO" newspaper, and in the various questions which have, from time to time, been discussed in these columns, and was doing all in his power to make it an influential organ of public opinion, as well as a remunerative enterprise to its promotors, whose patriotism and public spirit in starting the paper he eulogised in the highest terms. A few days before his illness we had made arrangements for a tour of observation on the Bullom shore, but the Great Architect of human affairs had higher and nobler work for him to do. The private and personal character of the deceased were stainless. He was a regular attendant and communicant at the Cathedral. In both public and private life he was a bright example to all classes. He died of African fever after an illness of eight days. He was attended by Drs. Smith, Waters and McKellar, who exhausted every means within their reach to avert a fatal result. The whole of the last night he was watched by Governor Hennessy, Judge Huggins and Dr. McKellar, in whose presence he breathed his last, calmly and peacefully. The Rev. J.H.Lamb officiated at the funeral. His Excellency the Governor was the Chief Mourner. "--------cui Pudor, et Justitiae soro, Incorrupta Fides, nudaque Veritas Quando ullum inveniet parem?" (Hor.Car.I.24)
Alstoniana Pg 293

Cost of a Colony
To the Editor of the Times
Sir, I have just read with melancholy interest the Leading Article in The Times on Saturday on the late mortality at Sierra Leone.
My brother, the late Queen's Advocate, after holding a somewhat similar appointment for some years at Vancouver's Island, entered upon the duties of his new office a little more than a year ago. It is not for me to write his eulogy; his pure spirit and noble character won for him the esteem of all who knew him.
A widow and five children are left to mourn his early death. For the eldest of these I am endeavouring to obtain a nomination to the Blue Coat or some similar school.
Will any kindhearted Governor help me?
I have the honour to be, sir, your obedient servant,
W. E. Alston.
Shorncliffe December 15.
18 December 1872. Pg 6. Col F
An article following the above, cites a mortality rate of 20% amongst the European population in Sierra Leone, at this time, and considers the issues around appointing coloured officials.

The Will of Edward Graham Alston 1867.
I Edward Graham Alston of Victoria Vancouver Island barrister at law hereby declare this to be my last Will and Testament I give and bequeath all my real and personal estate under my wife Anna Maria Alston she thereout paying all my just debts and I appoint her to be sold Executrix of this my Will dated this twenty eighth day of February one thousand eight hundred and sixty-seven¶
E Graham Alston
Signed by the said testator and acknowledged by him to be his Will in the presence of us who in his presence and in the presence of one another both being present at the same time have here unto subscribed our names as witnesses.
Robert E Jackson Sol. Victoria VI
N Melright Green Sol. Victoria VI BC
Affidavit that deceased was a British subject and his domicile of origin English, filed.
Proved at London for April 1873 by the oath of Anna Maria Alston widow the relict the sole Executrix to whom Administration was granted

The Will of Edward Graham Alston Esq. Barrister late of Victoria Vancover Is. Canada Who died 12 November 1872 at Sierra Leone Africa was proved 4 April 1873 at the Principal Registry by Anna Maria Alston widow and relict of Norwich City
Effects under £300. National Probate Calendar

  Research Notes:

Images: http://search.bcarchives.gov.bc.ca/sn-225101F/query
/VisualRecords/find%2BAlston%2B%2B%2B%2B
Honorific - https://books.google.co.nz/books?id=iSWgW4AYABoC&pg=PT14&lpg=PT14&dq=Hon+Edward+Graham+Alston&source=bl&ots=IT9QSKwxAW&sig=v042l77o01r5Fzn078wuBPz8yCk&hl=en&sa=X&ei=m-4IVe62D8OE8gWV24KQDQ&ved=0CCUQ6AEwAw#v=onepage&q=Hon%20Edward%20Graham%20Alston&f=false

  Other Records

1. Census: England, 30 Mar 1851, St Peters Tce Stepney Tower Hamlets LND. Edward is recorded as a son single aged 18 a scholar born Cambridge CAM

2. Edward Graham Alston: Letter to his Grandmother (Isabella Travers), 12 Jul c1853, Horndon ESS.
Edward Graham Alston
Hornden
July 12 (c1853)
My dear Grandmother,
Not having heard from me for some time I thought perhaps you would like to know something of our doings as we are such an erratic people. We have got now into a small cottage a short way from the village but in a most beautiful situation in the Langdon Hills. I am at home now for the long vocation having just passed the examination at Trinity and though I only obtained a second class yet you will see that I have not been idle as there are eight classes altogether. Willie will be here soon for his mid-summer holidays having just been removed into the top class at St Paul's. I have no particular news about Waldon as he has not written for some time. Have you heard from him lately? I suppose Nayland has not been disturbed much by the elections (4 Nov 1852). Lord J Manners I see is returned for Colchester although there was a strong party against him owing to his alleged religious views. Liveing and his brother were talking of going to Berlin this summer, when I left Cambridge. Have they gone? Robert has entered at Christ's, and will shine there I should think. We have had most lovely weather lately and almost all the hay is got in.
Hoping you are all quite well and with our United love.
Believe me
My dear Grandmother
Yrs affectionately
Edward G Alston

3. Edward Graham Alston: Images: British Columbia, Dorset.
Images taken in British Columbia.
Broome Cottage Victoria Vancover BC
Shipping passenger manifest
Memorial in Studland church Dorset inscribed "In the beloved memory of Edward Graham Alston B.A. of Trinity College Cambridge and of Lincolns Inn. Barrister-at-Law, Queens Advocate for the colony of Sierre Leone, where after little more than 12 months assidious attention to the duties of his office, he died from the fatal effects of the climate on the 12th day of Nov 1872 in the 41st year of his age. His sorrowing father the Rector of this Parish has placed this tablet".

4. Edward Graham Alston: Will, 28 Feb 1867.
Edward bequeathed his entire estate to his wife Anna Maria Alston

Edward married Elizabeth Caroline ABBOTT [1524] [MRIN: 494], daughter of Edward ABBOTT OF WRETHAM NORFOLK. [1525] and Unknown, about 1860. (Elizabeth Caroline ABBOTT [1524] died in 1865.)

Edward next married Anna Maria TUZO [1528] [MRIN: 496], daughter of Henry TUZO [1529] and Anna M [9701], about 1868. (Anna Maria TUZO [1528] was born in 1837 in Quebec CAN and died on 25 Jul 1919 in Barnes SRY.)