In 1851 John Grenfell Moyle, aged 34, born in Penzance Cornwall, unmarried, surgeon & General Practitioner, was in Parade, St. Marys Hughtown, Scilly Islands, Cornwall.
In 1861 John G. Moyle, aged 44, born in Penzance, surgeon M.R.C.S., and wife Eliza J.Moyle, aged 27, born in Scilly St. Martins, were in Parade, St. Marys, Scilly Islands. With them were children (born in Scilly St. Marys) Emma G. (2), Jessie (1), Edward N. V. (2 months), mother-in-law Honor Nance (58) of Scilly St. Martins, pilot's widow.
In 1871 John G. Moyle, aged 54, born in Penzance, magistrate, and wife Eliza J. Moyle, aged 38, born in St. Martin's Scilly, were in Parade, St. Marys, Scilly Islands. With them were children (born in St. Mary's Scilly): Emma G. (12), scholar, Jessie (11), scholar, Edward N. V. (10), scholar, Mary E. A. (8), scholar, Annie A. (6), scholar, John G. (3), scholar, Jane (1), mother-in-law Honor Nance (68) of St. Martin's Scilly, widow.
In 1881 John G. Moyle, aged 64, born in Penzance, magistrate, surgeon M.R.C.S., and wife Eliza J. Moyle, aged 47, born in St. Martins Scilly, were in Parade, St. Marys, Scilly Islands. Present were children (born in St. Marys Scilly): Emma G. (22), certified school mistress, Jessie (21), house assistant, Edwards N. V. (20), apprentice mercantile marine, Jane (11), scholar, Rowena (5), scholar, granddaughter Margaretta (3) of St. Marys Scilly.
In 1891 John G. Moyle, aged 74, born in Penzance Cornwall, widower, retired surgeon M.R.C.S., was at 4 The Terrace, Grove Hill, Reigate, Surrey. With him were daughters (born in Scilly Islands, single) Emma G. (32), school mistress, Jessie (30), Janie (21), dressmaker, Rowena G. (15), scholar, and Margaretta (13), scholar.
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John Grenfell Moyle died aged 76 years. 2
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DEATH OF THE MUCH-RESPECTED DR. MOYLE, FORMERLY OF SCILLY.
There has passed over the great majority one who, for more than 40 years filled a responsible post on the islands of Scilly, as a medical man. Mr. John Grenfell Moyle, J.P., M.R.C.S., died at the residence of his eldest daughter, at Redhill, Surrey, on the 4th of April, aged 77 years.
Mr. Moyle, who was the son of the late Mr. Richard Moyle, M.D., of Penzance, who during his lifetime had one of the most extensive practices in Penzance and its neighbourhood. He was a man of much skill, of a genial disposition, always cheered and encouraged his patients, and was universally beloved. His untimely end, by being thrown out of his gig in Market-jew-street cast a gloom over the west.
The mantle of the father fell on the eldest of his sons, as his life in connection with the Isles of Scilly full demonstrated.
Mr. Moyle had served for some time in the East India merchant-service before he went to Scilly. He was not only successful in medicine and surgery but he exhibited promising talents as a knight of the brush. His Penzance Quay Midsummer fair, now in the possession of the Misses Tregarthen, at Tregarthen's Hotel, is a fair specimen. But he came into prominence during the visit of the Queen, Prince Albert, and the youthful Prince of Wales, to Mount's-bay in 1846. On that occasion the Mayor and Corporation of Penzance, in their robes of office, proceeded to the royal yacht with an address. Mr. Moyle seized the opportunity, and so faithfully transferred the scene to canvas that every occupant in the boat could be easily recognised. This picture was bought by the Corporation and assigned a place of honour in its Council-chamber. This artistic talent served Mr. Moyle in a time of need. While touring in the south of France, owing to the delay of a letter, the treasury ran out and the finances were reduced to nil. But at the hotel his portfolio procured him the needful, till remittances came to hand.
In 1849 Mr. Moyle entered on his professional duties at Scilly. During his long practice his patience and skill were oftimes put to the test. In critical cases he had not the opportunity of consulting a brother professional, nor even had he the aid of an assistant, for a great part of the term, to fall back on.
As an all-round man he had few superiors. He was quite at home both with the pestle and the scalpel. Many difficult cases of surgery passed through his hands but not one was lost. In midwifery he was most successful. In pulmonary diseases if Mr. Moyle said it was a hopeless case you might, in nine times out of ten, put it down for a fact. But he was often a ministering angel at the bedside of the poor ; for not only were time and medicine freely given but pecuniary assistance as well. He was cheerful at all times in a sick room ; and, from his knowledge of the constitution of the islanders, was in a better position to adminster to their wants than a stranger.
During his professional career Mr. Moyle found time to transfer to canvas many charming bits of Island scenery. The beautiful tints of granite and lichens were truthfully portrayed as with a master hand. Chief among his works is the first funeral in connection with the wreck of the German steamship Schiller. The subject is the churchyard with the Rev. J. H. White reading the Burial-service. Round the graves are grouped a great number, whose faces and figures are easily recognised. The last of his works, previous to his leaving the islands, was a set of allegorical pictures, illustrating 'The landing of St. Warna' from Ireland on the Island of St. Agnes ; 'The Incantation,' in which a passing vessel is lured to the fatal rocks ; and 'The Wreck.'
In consequence of failing health Mr. Moyle resigned his professional duties to his large 'family' of 2000, in 1890, when the inhabitants, to show their appreciation of his past services, presented him with a life-annuity of £52 a year. He married a Miss Nance, of St. Martin's, by whom he had several children. One son, Mr. E. V. Moyle, now resides at St. Mary's.
The writer has been intimately acquainted with the deceased for nearly 50 years.
Cornishman, Thursday, 20 Apr 1893, p. 6
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John Grenfell Moyle of 4 the terrace Grove-hill-road, Redhill, Surrey died 4 April 1893. Probate London 28 June to Emma Grenfell Moyle, spinster. Effects £142 14s. 5d. 3
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