In 1851 William Vivian, aged 21, born in Illogan Cornwall, unmarried, copper mine agent, was with his parents in Parkbottom, Illogan.
In 1861 William Vivian, aged 31, born in Illogan, tin miner, and wife Jane Vivian, aged 36, born in Illogan, were living in Packford? Rowe, Camborne, Cornwall. With them was son William (7) of Illogan, scholar.
In 1871 William Vivian, aged 41, born in Illogan, mine agent, and wife Jane Vivian, aged 44, born in Illogan, were living in Edward Street, Camborne. With them was son William John (18) of Illogan, mine labourer at surface.
In September 1877 William Vivian of St. Agnes in the county of Cornwall, mine agent, was granted Administration of his late father's personal effects.
In 1881 William Vivian, aged 51, born in Illogan Cornwall, tin mine agent, and wife Jane Vivian, aged 54, born in Illogan, were living in Church Town, St. Agnes.
In 1891 William Vivian, aged 61, born in Illogan, mine manager, and wife Jane Vivian, aged 62, born in Illogan, were living in Vicarage Road, St. Agnes. William's brother, Joseph Vivian, was living nextdoor with his family.
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William Vivian of St. Agnes died aged 62 years (burial record).
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DEATH OF CAPTAIN W. VIVIAN.
The almost sudden death of Captain William Vivian, of West Kitty and Wheal Friendly, which occurred at his residence at St. Agnes on Saturday afternoon, came as a shock to the mining community. He attended a meeting of the Joint Committees of Trevaunce and Polberro United Mines at St. Agnes on Thursday, and took an active interest in the proceedings, sanctioning the winding up and sale of those mines in London, with a view to their reconstruction, and although then suffering from a severe cold with other complications, no one present anticipated that this would be the last committee meeting he would attend.
The deceased was the son of the late Captain W. Vivian, of North Roskear, Camborne, and had been all his life connected with mining. A successful tributor at North Roskear, he afterwards for some years successfully worked as a gold miner in Australia. For the past quarter of a century he has been closely associated with mining in the St. Agnes district, more particularly with the now rich and well-known West Kitty mine, which was worked successively under the names of Wheal Rock, St. Agnes Consols, New St. Agnes, and West Kitty. Mainly through the representations, influence and perseverance of the deceased, who was sanguine that the lodes which had proved so rich in Wheal Kitty, and had been in that mine rich in the adjoining sett, which he managed, although on some occasions he had the greatest possible difficulty in finding a single ton of tin to help meet the costs, West Kitty was prosecuted. About twelve years ago his efforts were rewarded by cutting into the rich lode of tin, from which the fortunate shareholders of West Kitty have received in dividends over £90,000. Other mines managed by Captain Vivian were Wheal Friendly, Trevaunance, Polberro United, West Polbreen, Wheal Coates, and others. As a manager Captain Vivian was thoroughly reliable and straightforward. His reports were concise and to the point, and his opinion was accepted on all matters in the mines he managed without the slightest scruple by the committees and general bodies of shareholders. Since he accepted the post of manager of West Kitty Captain Vivian had been rarely-indeed, if ever-absent from one of its meetings, whether held in London or Cornwall ; and he fully intended being at the meeting in London on the 25th instant, and at Wheal Friendly meeting the same day. Speaking at a meeting held in London in October as to the resuscitation of Trevaunance and Polberro Mines he strongly advocated the amalgamation of these mines, and said if he undertook the management again they must be amalgamated as they could be worked much better together as one concern, than apart. He had full confidence in the setts, and whether he took the management or not should carry on the hundreds of shares which he had held from the beginning, but being pressed and assured that the shareholders particularly wished him to act as manager, he said he did not object to act in that capacity. The immediate cause of death is said to be weak action of the heart, bronchitis, and other complications. Much sympathy is expressed with Mrs. Vivian, the widow. Captain Vivian leaves no children, his son when quite a young man dying some years ago. The funeral will leave St. Agnes this (Wednesday) morning for Illogan churchyard.
The Cornish Telegraph, Thursday, 19 Nov 1891, p. 8
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William Vivian of Vicarage Road St. Agnes, mine manager, died 14 November 1891. Probate Bodmin 8 April 1892 to Jane Vivian, widow. Effects £8418 19s. 8d. 3
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