Alexander Davison: Northumbrian hero and friend of Nelson
A talk by Marion Anderson, 15th October 2009
Report by Kathleen Pears
Those of us who had heard Marion Anderson before knew we were in for a treat, and so it turned out. She took us through the life of this extraordinary man who rose from humble beginnings in Lanton to become so wealthy and influential that he was indeed the “tall poppy” who attracted the envious attention of others and was treated accordingly. Almost a fairy tale was his rise to trading furs from Canada to holding the sole contract to supply the army and navy during the Napoleonic wars, financing Lord Nelson, his wife, Emma Hamilton, Nelson’s father as well as the Prince of Wales amongst others, whilst caring devotedly for his own family to the end of his life. Even two spells of imprisonment failed to change his rigorous standards of industrious commitment to supporting his friends, or to quench his spirit: indeed it was his faith in the integrity of those who worked for him which contributed to his being found guilty of minor infringements in business dealings and led to his finally being declared bankrupt and forced to sell all his possessions. Marion read a most touching codicil to his last will in which he declared his devotion to his remaining family, and which finally convinced most of her audience that he was indeed a “decent, kind man” who was if anything too trusting and free from the political guile around him. You could not fail to see echoes of situations which obtain today; she did say what most of us were thinking: plus ca change! I was not alone in feeling proud of this Northumbrian who was so warmly welcomed home by the good people of Felton.
City and County
November 2009
