Tiverton office moves to Gotham House

From 1858 the practice operated from 2 rooms in Fore Street adjoining the Guildhall and periodically changed address as growth demanded ever larger premises.

Historical footnote: Gotham House had been built by a successful merchant, George Davey, who successfully begged a commission in the Navy for his son Thomas.  The young man sailed on the historic voyage to Botany Bay (in the land later known as Australia) with the first batch of 800 convicts heading for the newly established penal colony.  Davey was to help set up a garrison and cultivate the land.  He had volunteered for this journey whereas 'the major part of the officers of the marines hath declined going on an expedition so very disagreeable'.  The ship berthed on 26th January 1788 at a spot which became known as Port Jackson.  According to Davey's wife, he was the first man to step ashore" (A History of Tiverton, by Mike Sampson (2004), p 185).