In 1871 Joseph Vivian, aged 35, born in Camborne Cornwall, miller & corn factor, and wife Mary E. Vivian, aged 27, born in Illogan Cornwall, were living at Vean House, Camborne. With them were children Lucy (6) of Illogan, Emily H. (2) of Camborne, and Mary C. (9 months) of Camborne.
In 1881 Joseph Vivian, aged 46, born in Camborne, farmer of 120 acres employing 6 men, 2 boys & 1 girl; master miller employing 3 men; & agricultural implements & corn nerchant & land agent & proprietor of tin streams etc, and wife Bessie Vivian, aged 38, born in Illogan, were living in Veor, Camborne. Present were children (born in Camborne): Emily H. (12), scholar, Mary C. (10), scholar, Leopold (8), scholar, Philip S. (7), scholar, and Alice L. (6), scholar.
In 1891 Joseph Vivian, aged 56, born in Camborne, miller & land agent, and wife Mary E. A. Vivian, aged 47, born in Illogan, were living at Veor House, Camborne. With them were children Lucy (26) of Illogan, and (the rest born in Camborne) Emily Houghton (22), Mary Christiana (20), violinist, Leopold (18), civil engineer student, and Alice Lloyd (16).
In 1901 Joseph Vivian, aged 66, born in Camborne, grain merchant, and wife Bessie Vivian, aged 57, born in Illogan, were living in Veor, Camborne. With them were daughter Alice (26), grandaughter, Doris Archbold, age 5, born in Chile (British subject).
In 1911 Joseph Vivian,aged 76, born in Camborne, land & mineral agent, corn merchant, and wife of 47 years Mary Elizabeth Allen Vivian, aged 67, born in Illogan (mother of 8 children, 3 deceased), were living at The Oaks, Kings Rd., Camborne.
In 1921 Joseph Vivian, aged 86 years 7 months, born in Camborne, land agent, and wife Mary Elizabeth Allen Vivian, aged 77 years 3 months, born in Illogan, home duties, were living in Reskadinnick, Camborne. With them were son-in-law Francis Joseph Stephens (55y 6m) of Falmouth, mining engineer, daughter Lucy Stephens (56y 3m) of Illogan, home duties, grandson Michael Vivian Stephens (18y 11m) of Camborne, mining student.
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A CAMBORNE WORTHY
DEATH OF MR. JOSEPH VIVIAN
One of the few remaining links with old Camborne has been severed by the passing of Mr. Joseph Vivian of St. Maradox, who died suddenly in Camborne Nursing Home on Saturday. Mr. Vivian, who would have attained the advanced age of 94 years, had he survived until November, enjoyed remarkably good health up to a very short time prior to his death, which occurred from heart failure two days after his admission to the Nursing Home. He was a familiar figure in the streets of Camborne, where he will be greatly missed.
Mr. Vivian came of a distinguished family of mining engineers whose home had been in the Cornish mining town for generations. His father was Capt. Joseph Vivian who was born in 1792 at Roskear, and died in 1878 at Reskadinnick, where a representative of the Vivians still lives in the person of Mrs. F. J. Stephens (wife of Mr. F. J. Stephens, F.G.S.). "Cap'n Joe," as he was known, was a miner from first to last, a man of great force of character, and of considerable learning, despite his early handicap in education. His father was a master mariner, who was in the American war of Independence, and was made prisoner at the time. Indeed, adventures crowded upon him, and eventually he commanded a ship trading to the Levant. But he gave up the sea when 45 years of age, and became agent at Cook's Kitchen Mine, Camborne. His son Joe worked at Grenver and Wheal Abraham Mine, near Clowance, as a miner, under Andrew Vivian (a first cousin of his father), who was the manager, and who was associated with Trevithick in taking out the patent for the first locomotive. After working at Dolcoath, he became the resident of North Roskear, and under his management it became a prosperous copper mine. He married a daughter of William Cock, of the Reskadinnick estate, and eventually went to Reskadinnick to live—a delightful old house, which he improved. It stands in a wooden hollow, approached by a long and picturesque drive through an avenue of stately beeches, firs, and chestnuts, and a wealth of wild flora, which gives a charming old-world touch to the scene. It was here that Mr. Joseph Vivian was born, being the youngest of five sons.
Mr. Vivian inherited much of his father's ability, and equipped with a good education, he had a successful career. In his early manhood he assisted, largely on the clerical side, his father, who was at the time manager of a considerable number of mines. Mr. Vivian also acted as purser of South Condurrow, and several small mines managed by his father. Like his father, Mr. Joseph Vivian always had an agricultural bent, and formerly he did quite a lot of farming around Reskadinnick. He also for a number of years carried on a forage business in Camborne. Mr. Vivian had in his possession a piece of plate presented to him by members of the old East Penwith Agricultural Exchange to mark his long and valued services as secretary. As district agent for a great number of years of the Trelowarren Estate, deceased came into contact with the real life of Camborne. He continued his association with the estate until about four years ago, when he retired. It is a noteworthy fact that members of the Vivian family have been associated with the management of the estate for several generations. During the period the late Canon W. P. Chappell was rector of Camborne, Mr. Vivian was actively associated with the work at the Parish Church, and was for many years one of the churchwardens. He also devoted many years to work at the Trelowarren-street Church Mission Room, and as a layman he was most successful. He was an ex-chairman of the old Camborne School Board.
Mr. Vivian was a man of great versatility. He had extensive knowledge of Camborne parish and the district, and up to the last was full of ideas with regard to the welfare and betterment of his native town. He wielded a facile pen, and was a frequent contributor to the Press on current topics. His letters and other contributions were always worth reading, and his opinions were received with respect. He was regarded as an authority on ancient mine records and workings in the Camborne district, about which he wrote valued and entertaining articles. A man of fine character and high ideals, he enjoyed the esteem of his fellow townsmen, and his passing has evoked universal regret. Mr. Vivian came from a family noted for longevity. His eldest brother, the late Mr. William Cock Vivian of Reskadinnick, passed away in 1919, some months after attaining his 100th birthday. Mr. Joseph Vivian leaves an aged widow (a cousin of Lady Smith, of Truro), one surviving son, Mr. Leo Vivian who is engaged in engineering in British Columbia, and four daughters, Mrs. F. J. Stephens, of Reskadinnick; Mrs. Lamorna Birch, wife of Mr. Lamorna Birch, A.R.A., the well-known artist; Mrs. Archbold (St. Mawes), and Miss Alice Vivian, who resides at Bude.
The West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser, Thursday, 30 Aug 1928, p. 10
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