Theodore Napier 3rd son¹

Parents:

• Birth*: Theodore Napier 3rd son was born on 29 March 1845 at Melbourne, Australia, .¹
• He was the son of Thomas Napier carpenter to Australia and Jessie Paterson.¹
• (Deceased) Death*: Theodore Napier 3rd son died on 29 August 1924 at age 79.¹

• (Witness) Memorial Inscription: He is commemorated on the headstone erected after 13 September 1885 at Marykirk Kirkyard, Aberdeenshire, Scotland. Inscription reads Son of James Napier, weaver & Margaret Sutor
  Founder of the Napier Educational Trust
  
  David Napier served an apprenticeship in his village as a joiner, he went to London when he became unwell and became a Grocer at home. He was unmarried and concerned about local school children walking to school in the cold weather.
  In his will he set up funding for a new school, the total amount was 3,500 pounds that was raised for a mixed school in a closer location, as many of the students lived at least 3 miles away from public school. Initially David Napier allocated funds for a school with a male teacher, however additional funds were sourced to cover the full amount and a female teacher was installed.
  The school opened on a sunny Saturday in 1898 with the royal standard and other flags flying out the front, presented by David Napier's nephew Theodore Napier. A temporary platform was installed at the west end of the school where the many trustees of the school, (who included Theodore Napier were seated)
  
  Mr W C Carnegie of Marykirk was the architect, Chipping Norton of Marykirk prepared the plans. Mr William Greig was the builder, Alexander Dunbar was the Carpenter, Charles Brand the Slater, Mr Hood the Plasterer and Colin Wood and Co., the plumber.
  The Chairman gave a speech and presented to Theodore Napier a silver trowel as a momento of their meeting. The inscription read;
  Presented to Theodore Napier Esq., on the occasion of his laying the foundation stone of the 'Napier Memorial School', Marykirk on the 9th July, 1898.
  As a part of his reply Theodore Napier announced that it had been his personal fortune or misfortune to have been born in the British Colony of Australia, however every drop of his blood was Scottish. He would never forget his happy days in Marykirk. He lamented with affection on David Napiers' love of children.
  The memorial stone is at the front of the main entrance to the school.
  
  Napier Memorial School was opened in 1898 and was erected by the Trustees of David Napier. It was leased to the Education Authority of Kincardine in 1920 and transferred to them in 1935. The school became known as Napier Primary School and closed in 1968 with the pupils transferring to Marykirk School.²
  

  

  
• Newspaper Article: He and Jessie Paterson were mentioned in a newspaper article THE WALLACE STATUE IN ABERDEEN. WHAT WALLACE ACHIEVED FOR HIS COUNTRY.
  We have received a letter from a Montrose lady resident in Australia, enclosing one from Mr Theodore Napier, to show, she says, "how
  Scotland is venerated at this side of the equator. Mr Napier is the son of Mr Thomas Napier (late of Marykirk) who came out over fifty years ago. Napier, of Magdala (the name of his beautiful home) was educated in Edinburgh, which has made him true Scot. The letter, which is dated 9th June, 1888, is as follows:
  "I was much pleased to receive your letter enclosing a print of the Wallace statue for Aberdeen It is very good on the whole. I like the attitude, but I think the features are rather too old for Wallace, who was less than forty when slain by Edward. I think very highly of the Aberdeen people for raising such a memorial to their (and our) noble patriot here - the man who, against the mightiest odds, determined to stand for Scotland's freedom. Never would he bow to England's king. Rather than do so, he would bow his hand to the executioner’s sword. If he did not succeed in freeing Scotland from English tyranny it was from no fault of his; he did all that a brave, devoted man could possibly do. The fault lay with the half-hearted nobility, who, rather than see Wallace achieve a victory, would desert the standard of their country and play like traitors into the hands of their country's enemy. Scotland owes but little to her nobles. God has raised in "Auld Scotia", a “brave peasantry, their country's pride," and it is this brave peasantry who nobly stood by Wallace and fought for Scotland's freedom. Wallace paved the way for Bruce and Bannockburn. Wallace lighted the fire which was never extinguished until everyEnglishman was driven out of Sootland, and Scotland's Lion floated over the ramparts of every castle north of the Tweed. I would like to see Scotsmen all over the world revive the national spirit, and celebrate the day they owe so much to – I mean, of course, Bannockburn. I would like them to commemorate the glorious victory achieved on that memorable day, the 24th June, 1314, and show to the world that they had not quite lost all the gratitude due to their great ancestors, who resolved on that day either to “do or die.” I intend myself having a little celebration on the 24th June-probably a bonfire and fireworks, with a display of our national flags. We shall be very pleased indeed to see you out to stay a few days then if convenient." on 27 July 1888 at Montrose, Forfarshire, Scotland, .³
• (Informant) Death: Theodore Napier 3rd son registered the death of Jessie Paterson on 28 August 1890 at Rosebank, Farendon, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, ; Napier - on the 28th inst., at her residence, Rosebank, Farendon, Jessie, relict of the late Thomas Napier; and mother of Mr T Napier, Magdala, Farendon, and of Mrs G P Barber, of Staywoodpark, Warrnambool, aged 74 years. A Colonist of 54 years.^1,4

Notes

• (Witness) Note for Web: Theodore Napier 3rd son and John Myers were mentioned with Sarah Napier and John Myers farmer & Colonial Pioneer. Sarah Napier, born 1788, married John Myers, farmer, of Marykirk, Kincardine, Scotland. Their eldest son, John Myers, 1819-1936. came to Melbourne in 1843. In 1847 or 48, he started farming at Merri Creek and in 1856 he purchased crown land in the Pentland Hills for 15 shillings an acre; there he bred Clydesdale horses and dairy cattle. He took a signific part in having the Presbyterian Church built in the Pentland hills - a beautiful little sandstone building; it stands beside the Western Highway.
  Descendants of his large family bear the name of : Myers, Plummer, Gibson, Lester, Charlton and others. They live in suburban and country districts, particularly in the Ballan and Bacchus Marsh countryside. They recognise the early link with the Napier family and Theodore Napier was well known by them.⁵