210 KINGSBRIDGE 



of whose career Mrs. Balfour gives a little sketch in her 

 work entitled "Moral Heroism." 



An interesting notice of this gentleman appeared in the 

 Kingsbridge Gazette of March 16th, 1867, from which we 

 extract largely. 



"The career of Mr. Peek, of Hazelwood, affords an example 

 of how a man in this country may raise himself if he has 

 the spirit and industry which are requisite to success in 

 most undertakings. Few have begun life under more un- 

 promising circumstances, and yet raised themselves to a 

 position of affluence in less time than did the subject of 

 this brief memoir. Some strange and contradictory accounts 

 of the business history of this remarkable man are current ; 

 and we have been favoured with some information from 

 one of his nearest relatives, which enables us to correct 

 them. 



Richard Peek was born at Hazelwood in 1782, of parents 

 in a very humble position of life. When a young man, in 

 the service of Mr. Lampin, a large grocer at Plymouth or 

 Devonport, he was balloted for the militia; but not liking 

 to be a soldier, and suspecting he was drawn, he went off 

 suddenly to London, where he was a perfect stranger, and 

 with very little money in his pocket. When crossing 

 London Bridge, he saw a benevolent-looking Quaker [John 

 Hamilton], whom he accosted, and to, whom he told his 

 simple tale. This gentleman mentioned his case to a large 

 wholesale tea dealer, who happened at that time to have 

 a subordinate situation vacant in his warehouse, which was 

 offered to the young man. No false pride deterred him 

 from earning an honest livelihood, and he gratefully ac- 

 cepted the situation, feeling sure he could work his way 

 upwards. In two years he got promoted, and introduced 



