OBITUARY NOTICES. 
21 
<&iutuarg Hott'osf. 
CHARLES FOSTER BARHAM, M.D. 
By the death, October 20th, 1884, of Dr. Barham, of Truro, the 
Plymouth Institution has lost its oldest corresponding member. 
The deceased gentleman came of the ancient Northern Foster 
stock, who distinguished themselves in Border warfare. The 
branch from which he sprang descended from John Foster, a 
settler in Jamaica in the seventeenth century. The widow of 
John Foster's grandson married Dr. Henry Barham; and he, 
having no family, adopted his wife's youngest son, Joseph Foster, 
and settled his West Indian property upon him on his taking 
Barham as an additional surname. The Barhams were a family 
of note, in later years distinguished by their literary and scientific 
attainments ; and these qualities were remarkably developed in 
the Foster bearers of their name, though of course there was no 
blood relationship. 
The Foster Barhams settled in England, and were largely 
connected with mercantile affairs in the firm of Plummer, Wilson, 
and Co. Joseph Foster Barham's eldest son, of the same name, 
was long member of Parliament for Stockbridge. His third son, 
Thomas Foster Barham, father of the subject of this notice, was 
an extensive traveller, and eventually settled in Cornwall. Hence 
the Cornish connection of Dr. C. F. Barham, who was born 
at Truro in March, 1804. 
Dr. Barham studied at Cambridge (Queen's) and Edinburgh, 
and after his college career he travelled extensively on the 
Continent. He became M.B. in 1827, and M.D. (Cantab) in 
1860. He first commenced practice as a physician in Plymouth, 
at which time he became connected with the Institution. From 
Plymouth he went to Tavistock, where he became physician to 
the Dispensary. Removing to Truro about the year 1832, he 
resided there until his death, a period of over half a century. In 
