The 112th memorial day of John Charles Pritchard (1849 to 1905), who died while serving as Salem municipal commissioner, was observed here on May 12.

Popularly known as J.C. Pritchard, Barrister at Law, the road connecting Sarada College Road and Cherry Road was named after him as ‘Pitchards Road’. The name, however, has been spelt wrongly on the signage as “Pitchard”.

During the British rule, he served as the municipal commissioner and took serious efforts to prevent the outbreak of malaria, cholera, which were deadly diseases during the 19th Century. He was instrumental in opening health clinics in the city and ensured that there was no outbreak of the diseases. A famous lawyer, who actively involved in social services, he died of illness on May 12, 1905. As a mark of tribute to him, the municipality named the road after him.

On August 11, 2011, when members of Salem Historical Society cleaned the bushes in the British era Christian cemetery in Peramanur in the city, they found the grave of Pritchard. The concrete-structured grave was found in a dilapidated condition. Members of Salem Historical Society urged the district administration to take steps to preserve it as a monument.