Arthur Phillip - at 19 Bennett St, Bath

Bath has had a year of celebrating the life of Governor Arthur Phillip who lived at several addresses in that city from around 1793-1814, after his return from Australia. Bath recognises him as a great man, very enlightened for his times. He is one of Bath's famous citizens. When I was there a month ago, this is what I found.

He lived in this house at 19 Bennett St, up on the hill overlooking central Bath.

I was happy to be treading in his footsteps at his front door.

The upper commemorative plaque says 'Here Lived Admiral Phillip, 1808-1814' and was unveiled in 2005. The bottom plaque explaining his role as  'Founder of Modern Australia' was unveiled in 2016.

Phillip had a stroke in 1808 and his mobility was impaired. He liked to sit at one of the upper storey windows, looking out. On a summer's day in August 1814 he fell out of the open window, which was a floor to ceiling sash window like those on the middle storey of his old home. He died. Much speculation but no proof surrounds the circumstances of his death. Suffice to say, he was buried in a sanctified churchyard and, since then, small balconies have been added to buildings with windows like this, as a safety feature. The photo below illustrates these balconies.

While we were at the front door, taking photos, one of the residents of the house came home. We asked if we could look inside the front door. She kindly agreed and this is what we saw. The entrance hallway is very plain and contains very few original features.

The plaque on the wall hints that this house must once have been open to the public and it's a continual reminder to its current occupants that this building occupies a place in history. Erected by a Queensland group in 1964, the plaque proves that Arthur Phillip's significance is recognised by Australians living well beyond the shores of Sydney Harbour, where Phillip anchored his First Fleet on 26 January 1788.

His house (where my sister is standing) is virtually opposite the Assembly Rooms (large building in left background).

On the corner of the Assembly Rooms there's a small courtyard. It's been made into a stylish memorial site for Phillip.

 There's the inevitable story board.

 And a more permanent bronze plaque, set in stone, which says:

In tribute to and in memory of
Admiral Arthur Phillip Royal Navy (1738-1814)
First Governor of New South Wales
Founder of the modern nation of Australia

I like the Georgian elegance and simplicity of the site. The globe is a perfect choice of symbolism for a naval captain who led the First Fleet from the Northern to the Southern Hemisphere, on the opposite side of the planet, in 1787-88.

I took photos of the wording on the circumference (equator) of the globe. Walking in an anti-clockwise direction, here's what those words say. The first statement was a long one, needing three photos:

Captain, Governor and later Admiral Arthur Phillip, Born London 11th October 1738, Died Bennett Street, Bath, 31st August 1814, Buried in St Nicholas Church, Bathampton
Appointed Commander of the First Fleet, Governor-Designate of New South Wales in 1786

The remaining messages are more compact and highlight his significance in history. They say:

Arthur Phillip commanded the healthiest convict transport voyage ever.

"The finest harbour in the world, in which a thousand Ships of the Line may ride in perfect security."

"There will never be any slavery in this land."
Phillip ensured that this, his precept, would prevail.

He strove to live amicably with the Aborigines, establishing friendships with them,
and instructing that all settlers should treat them with respect.

In a despatch from Sydney Cove on the 3rd July 1788 to Lord Landsdowne,
Phillip demonstrated his vision and prescience:
"this country will hereafter be a most valuable acquisition to Great Britain".

If Phillip was still sitting at his window, above the yellow car parked opposite, he could see this memorial site and take comfort that, two centuries after his death, people still appreciate what he did.

Phillip is lauded at Bath Abbey and buried in Bathampton, the parish church about a mile from Bath Abbey. I'll write separate posts on both these places, so if you can't get to Bath yourself this 'virtual tour' of them will be the next best thing! For more details of Phillip's life, see his online biography. My own book 'Robert Forrester, First Fleeter' pays homage to him as well.