Obituaries Australia

Richard Grice, by Thomas Chuck, 1872

State Library of Victoria, H5056/​400

We regret to record the death of Mr Richard Grice, senior partner in the well known firm of Messrs Grice, Sumner, and Co., which took place at his town residence, Victoria parade, Fitzroy, at an early hour on Saturday morning, from paralysis. About three months ago Mr Grice had a slight attack of paralysis, but he had partly recovered from it, when six weeks ago he was again striken down. This second attack was a very severe one, and from the first his medical attendants, Drs. Howitt and Williams, had no hope of his recovery. Mr Grice was born at Bootle, Cumberland, England, on the 30th of October, 1813, and was consequently just turned 69 years of age. He was a colonist of 44 years standing, having arrived in Melbourne in 1838 in company with the late Mr Benjamin Heape, a partnership having been entered into between them in England. They at once commenced business as merchants in Flinders lane, under the title of Heape and Grice, and they were also interested in squatting properties at Mount Alexander. In 1847 Mr Grice paid a visit to Europe, and was absent from the colony for about 12 months, when he returned, and he has resided here ever since. The partnership with Mr. Heape was dissolved in 1854, and Mr. T. J. Sumner joined the firm, the title being altered to that of Grice, Sumner, and Co. In 1856 Mr. John Benn was admitted as a partner, and the business of the firm as general merchants and free and bonded store proprietors was principally carried on by the junior partners, Mr Grice not having taken an active part in the businesss for many years. The deceased gentleman had for a long period occupied a seat on the board of directors of the Union Bank, and that was the only public position he ever accepted. He never took an active part in either politics or municipal affairs. He evinced great interest in our charitable and religious institutions, and was for some years one of the vice presidents of the Melbourne Hospital. He, however, took no active part in the management, but contented himself by subscribing liberally. He also materially assisted, by his handsome contributions, in the completion of St. Mark's Church of England, Fitzroy. Some years ago he purchased an estate at Mornington, and latterly he spent a good deal of his time there. The firm of Grice, Sumner, and Co is one of the oldest, and ranks amongst the foremost, mercantile houses in the Australian colonies. The deceased leaves a widow, three sons, and four daughters, two of the former and one of the latter being married. The funeral will leave his late residence at 1 o'clock this afternoon for the Melbourne Cemetery. The Very Rev. the Dean of Melbourne will conduct the burial service.