Samuel Phelps 1804-1878
The plaque is inscribed with:
Samuel Phelps
1804—1878
Born at 1 St Aubyn Street Phelps was orphaned at the age of 16. Trying his fortunes
in London he became an acclaimed tragedian actor, later founding in 1844 the Sadlers
Wells Theatre, London.
This photo was taken in July 2002; at that date the plaque was located as close
as possible to the original St Aubyn Street, Phelps' birthplace - it was on the
Chapel Street dockyard wall, the wall enclosing South Yard and which cut Fore Street
in half.
As a result of Devonport's regeneration programme Fore Street is no longer cut in
half because the South Yard plot was returned to Devonport, the Chapel Street wall
dismantled, and Fore Street made whole again. However, during that process the plaque
disappeared.
The Samuel Phelps plaque may be in the possession of the city council, for safekeeping,
but this is unconfirmed. Around the time this photo was taken there was talk of
the plaque being resited when and if the wall came down and South Yard was returned
to the community. The situation wasn't definite at that point, as ideas and plans for Devonport
were still in development, and news awaited on whether the Admiralty would actually
return the South Yard plot.
But it's now 2012; South Yard was indeed returned to the community, a few years
back now - so whoever has our Samuel Phelps plaque, can we have it back please?
We'd like to get it reinstated.
Update May 2013
The plaque has been replaced. It can be seen in the redeveloped section of Fore Street, on the wall of the building on the corner of Fore Street with Chapel Street
(page added March 2012 updated May 2013)