JOURNAL

OF THE

~o)lal jlnSfitUtiOlt oM 4omwall.

NEW SERIES VOLUME VI.

•

PART 1. •

OSCAR BLACKFORD, LTD., PRINCES STREET, .

I ~ 65

CORNISH PEWTERERS by H. L. DOUCH

Perhaps one should not be too surprised that the potter and the pipemaker need to be resurrected from their historical limbo. It is strange that the pewterer too has to be dug out o(oblivion for his wares were of a more lasting nature, they graced the dining­ table in private house and tavern and are prized by collectors today. The pewterer's shop was in the centre of the town and he was often a man of some substance. In , the county which produced so much of his basic raw material-tin-it is even more remarkable that the Cornish pewterer should be forgotten. The historians of tin-mining have much to say of the London pewterers who, for a long period, controlled the market in tin but nothing to say of their Cornish counterparts: that they existed in such large numbers will surprise historian and collector alike.

As with most other craftsmen, the mediaeval pewterer can be identified in early documents and subsidy rolls simply because he bore the name of his trade as a surname. Not until the seventeenth century, from wills and inventories, can one put much flesh upon him. Then pewter reached its peak before, in the next century, glass and 'china' replaced the metal table-ware. A study of inventories will remind anyone of the great demand for pewter articles of all kinds in the hey-day of pewter. Some of the local gentry had London pewter, specifying it as such in their wills, but most of the demand was met by the local pewterer from his own workshop . . The tavern, inn and ale-house also had his flagons, tankards and measures; as one example from many, take the inventory of John White, a vintner, who died in 1688. Although he was not over­ generously stocked with pewter, the list shows the variety of articles which the local workshops produced: £ s. d. 25 pewter dishes and 2 sawcers, 128 Ibs. at 8d. 454 39 pewter plates 160 1 doz. pewter spoons 1 0 2 pair of pewter candlesticks 10 0 3 pair of old pewter candlesticks 4 0 11 pewter pints and tankerts 8 0 5 pewter porringers, 1 pewter bason, 1 pewter pye plate, 1 pewter butter dish, 1 pewter salt and 1 pewter pasty pann 5 0 4 wier candlesticks and 1 hand candlestick 1 6 11 pewter chamberpotts 16 6 18 broken pewter flaggons 14 0

It is impossible to consider the Cornish pewterers in isolation because they dealt in a metal, tin, which was in universal demand. 66

Their contacts with London, Bristol and Exeter must have been many and frequent. For example, John Megre, citizen and pewterer of London, remembered his native town of Truro when he died in 1419: the unusually-named Goble family of pewterers, which appeared in Lostwithiel in the late sixteenth century, may have gone there from London where another of that name appeared in the late seventeenth century. The links with Bristol, through a constant sea­ borne traffic, took Cornish apprentices there to learn the trade. When Henry Sexton of Truro, himself a pewterer, wanted to place his son, Hugh, it was to John Knowles of Bristol that he sent him in 1648.1 In 1675 Philip Perkins of St. Ives was indentured to William Snellgrove: in 1688 Patrick Hawkins of st. Ives and in 1693 Abel French of to John Batcheler. Many of the Cornish craftsmen who worked in pewter were related to craftsmen in other metals. There were Pennington bell­ founders, goldsmiths and gunsmiths; another Plint was a goldsmith. There were many who worked in both pewter and brass, sometimes calling themselves pewterers, sometimes braziers. Penticost Sillivan of Mitchell was properly a brazier. leaving in 1640 "brasse in the workehouse, 30 small panns, 68 cauldrons, 20 skillets and 8 warming pans in the warehouse" , but he also left pewter, including 20 platters and 11 saucers. In 1783 Joseph Bullock of . Falmouth described himself as 'pewterer and brazier'.2 These examples are two of many. There were other tradesmen on the fringe of the pewterer's craft, particularly the tin-man or whitesmith. There were too the tinkers who would patch pewter-ware and supply the odd spoon. George Danyell of Whitstone was one of these. In his inventory, dated 1616, he was styled 'mettellman', emphasising that he repaired in more metals than one: he left "old brasen mettells" valued at £1 and 19 pewter dishes at 15s. In 1663 Ralph Hartland of Week St. Mary had £ s. d. 1 tinkers hammer, 1 stake, 1 spoone mould 4 0 1 paire of wostard combes, 7 peuter dishes o 0 1 parcell of hollow ware of tinne 1 0 0 3 brasse panns, 2 brasse pots, 1 brasse kettell 2 10 0 2 truncks of merchantry wares, some Kenten, some Camericke, some bustines with other wa res in them 5 10 0 In 1684 Christopher Doubt of Advent, 'coppersmith', left goods to the small value of £4 8s. Od . which included £ s. d. 3 brasse pots, 6. bras pans and too skillets 1 5 0 for puter disshes and other tin vessels 8 0 one budget and tooles 1 6

1 Cotterell 4195. The reference Is to Old Pewter, its Makers and Ma rks by H. H. Cotterell. The other standard work is Pewter Pla te by H. J . L. J . Mass';. 2 Bayley's Western Directory.

" " 67

, The pewterer proper was essentially a townsman and, inevitably there were more in the coinage towns to which, under Stannary most law, all ingot tin had to be taken. It was natural that the pewterers should be near the source of supply and authority to anticipated that this proximity to the crude metal would lead of fraud and smuggling. In 1346, as a step to control the buying Corn­ tin, it was laid down that only two pewterers should work in where wall, one each at the castles of Restormel and Launceston control they might be under strict supervision.3 Such a degree of pewter was both impossible and undesirable as the demand for soared. Pewterers and the opportunities for fraud proliferated. There con­ were blowing-houses dotted all over the mining areas and, what sequently, regulations were difficult to enforce. No matter the Convocation of Tinners might ordain, it was always temptingly or profitable to smuggle tin out of the country, either in block form unpaid, as rough-cast pewter, or to deliver it with the coinage-duty to the pewterer's workshop. In 1637 it was ordained that skimpinge maker of white tyn shall sell or cause to be sold his ashes, " if any any puterer or or any other his leavinge after the blowing of his tyn to be fyned accord­ plumer, both buyer and seller being thereof convicted shall ing to the quality of their offence".4 in One illuminating case was heard at the Vice-Warden's Court was 1681. Joseph Growden, a prosperous St. Austell pewterer, accused of having used in his workshop eight blocks of uncoined tin. His defence was that and sweepings of his shopp and worke howse amountinge " the ashes, outfalls buddle two hundred horse seames were openly carried to the to about of severall where being washt and cleansed they appeared to be a mixture t mettle was carryed thence to the blowinge howse where metalls-this mix the ghts it was melted and cast into eight slabbs which from in theire s i open howse were carryed back to St. Austell where they lay in the blowinge Officers". streete one whole day and were then seized by his Majesty's for Growden contended that such redeemed tin was not liable , coinage-duty a second time. The prosecution produced Sedgemore a blower, who testified that Growden have t severall slabbs of uncoyned tynn, that his servants "hath bough from St. tymes carryed away severall quantityes of uncoyned tynn severall he knowes Austell Blowinge house but whether to the coynage or elsewhere not". The supervisor at the blowing-house deposed that Growden of had assured him that for a year past he had not used one ingot of tin but on that same occasion Growden bought several slabs to find uncoined tin which, despite diligent search, he was unable at the coinage-hall. A later witness testified that tynn was employed by Growden to carry severall slabbs of uncoyned "he which were from by night from St. Austell Blowinge House to the sea side thence carryed away in a boate" .

3 The Black Prince·s Registe r. 4 RIC. Gwavas MSS. 68

One of Growden's former servants said that he had used uncoined tin in his master's melting-house "which at the same time was cast into quart tankerds". Unfortunately, the judgement on Growden does not appear in the Vice-Warden's Book.5 Fifty years later there was similar trouble in when Charles Penneck, one of the supervisors of the melting-houses, deposed that "the town of Penzance is a large populous sea port situate at the bottom of the Mounts Bay-In 15 Charles the Second the same was made a Coynage Town and is now become a great market for tyn . But the pewterers there have of late years clandestinely conveyed great quantitys of tyn, after the same is reduced at the melting house into white mettall, from the said melting houses to their shopps wihout bringing the same to coynage or paying any duty, whereby his Royall Highness is defrauded of his Coynage Dutys which is four shillings for every hundred weight". In 1731 Pen neck seized from Joseph Beard, a Penzance pewterer, "one block of tyn and two round peices, in weight 3 c. 3 qr. 2 Ibs. and about 3 cwt. of hott mettle in his working shopp". In 1737, from the same Joseph Beard, Pen neck seized another 4 cwt. of "hot melted tin in the same kettle". In 1739 John Batten, one of Penneck's deputies, said "Charles Lewellyn of the town of Penzance, pewterer, hath for several years last past made it his business to convey great quantities of uncoined tyn secretly and in a clandestine manner by night from smelting houses in the neighbourhood of Penzance aforesaid unto his own house there, and run it into rough pewter, and which is afterwards sent abroad, or transported into parts beyond the seas without paying his said Royal Highness any Coynage Duties for the same". Batten made a specific charge, that on July 23rd, 1739 Lewellyn took two blocks from the smelting-house at Angarrack "to a place in the neighbourhood of Penzance called Kenegy (quite out of the road from the said smelting house called Angarrack to either of the coynage towns in the said county of Cornwall) and there concealed the same in a stable or some other private place untill Wednesday the 25th of the same month of July about 10 of the clock at night when the said Charles Lewellyn conveyed the said two pieces of tyn by night from Kenegy aforesaid to a place within the said town of Penzance called the New Street Stairs and from thence athwart the street called the New Street into another street called the Chappell Street within the said town, which was also out of the direct road to the Coynage Hall there, that your suppliant and appellant about eleven of the clock at night suspected the fraudulent practices of the said Charles Lewellyn and meeting the horses laden with the said tyn in the said street called the Chapple Street with the tyn covered and men riding on such heavy loads of tyn in the night-did seize the said two peices of tyn-and immediately conveyed the same tyn to the Coynage Hall within the said town of Penzance".6 The dishonest pewterer thus found a record: the following list will perhaps serve as a memorial to his fellow craftsmen who did not figure in court-proceedings. It will be remarked how many of them in the seventeenth century were Quakers and how many of them were related to each other. Most of the pewter they wrought was sold by the craftsman

5 RIC. 6 RIC. Gwavlls MSS. 69 himself from the shop adjoining his workshop but there were some· times merchants who stocked wrought pewter or even the tools of the pewterer's trade. There was, for example, Francis Betty, a Tregony clothier who, in 1689 left an estate valued at £524, including £ s. d. 32 lb. of old pewter at 5d . per lb. 13 4 18 pewter dishes weighing 56 lb. at 6d. per lb., 18 platters, 11 pewter dishes weighing 54 lb. at 6d. per lb. 2 15 0 There was also William Poynter, 'ironmonger' of , who had in stock in 1715 £ s. d. one pewterers anvill and wheele with things belonging to the same 10 0 one large bordering hammer 14 0 two plate moulds 2 10 0 these in an estate valued at £716 which included also one ordinary picture on wood alias a chambermaid 5 0 In 1684 Digory Tonkin of St. Blazey, one of the most prosperous of Cornish merchants in the seventeenth century, left an estate valued at £2,298, including "in the cellars and warehouse at Parr" £ s. d. 90 of 6 lb. new pewter dishes 22 16 0 380 new pewter plates 14 15 6 a limbick still 16 0 47 porringers 1 15 3 90 lesser porringers 250 156 pewter spoones 19 6 35 sawcers 8 9 5 pewter chamberpotts 10 0 3 pewter candlesticks 6 0 22 pewter salts 16 6 pewter moulds, tooles and other implements thereto belonging 22 10 0 In view of this association of the made pewter with the tools for making it Digory Tonkin may have been a working pewterer and as such will serve to introduce the following list.

ST. AUSTELL Lawrence Growden (Quaker) of st. MerrynJ, pewterer. Left to 1657 one pewter dish, value 3s., taken his son Joseph, of Pennsylvania, from him for refusing to pay to­ an estate there, except 3,000 wards the repair of the steeple­ acres which he gave to his grand­ house.7 son Lawrence. Left £5 to the 1659 one pewter dish, value 5s., taken poor of the Tregonjeeves meeting from him. (St. Austell) and £5 towards the 1660 committed to gaol for not tak­ rebuilding of the walls of the ing Oath of Allegiance and burial-place there.s Supremacy. Lawrence Growdon "at Austel in 1707 will of Lawrence Growdon (then Cornwall" issued a trade-token.

7 see Record 01 the Suflerings 01 Quakers in Cornwall 1655-1686, ed. by Norman Penney. S RIC. P/9/91. 70

Joseph Growden Bennet MlchelJ 1681 see case against him in the Vice­ 1783 Bennet Mitchell, brazier and iron­ Warden 's Court (ante) . monger.13 1793 see Cotterell 3238A when des­ Peter Towsen (Quaker) cribed as of st. Austel1.14 1660 "Peter Towsey of Austell beinge (see also in 1783) . come to the aforesaid towne (Bodmin) with pewter" put in gaol. BODMIN (see for him subse­ 'Pewterer' quently) . 1469/70 the Bodmin church building Wailer May accounts record Royn Pewterer 1732 inventory of Waiter May of as resident in Fore Street and st. Austell, pewterer, totalling Thomas Peuterer junior and £119 16s. Od ., included Richard Peuterer in Crockewyll £ s. d. Lane.15 26 pound of pewter 13 0 John Syblye seven candellsticks 4 0 for molds and toles 1607 inventory of John Syblye of B., p., belonging to the totalling £20 8s. 8d ., included pewterers busness 20 0 0 £ s. d . for shop goods 6 0 0 crock brasse 10 0 panne brasse 13 4 Samuel Luly 3 platters, 1 pothinger, 1732 Samuel and Henry Luly, of st. one bassen, 3 sassers Austell, yeomen, bonds on pro­ and one pottell pott bate of Waiter May (above). of tynne 3 4 1755 Samuel Luly one of the pewterers his moulds and all other testifying to quality of Perran workynge tooles melting-house tin.9 belonging to his occupacion 10 0 0 James Robins certen tynne with 1728 James Robins, of st. A., p., bond old pewter 200 on probate of Richard Giles. 2 swords and one 1746 will of Jacob Robins, of st. A., p.; dagger and ther inventory, totalling £30, included hangings and gerdell 10 0 a chattle house at £25 and "a 1 moreshe pyek 1 0 feather bed furnisht" at £2 but Martin Williams nothing relevant to his trade. 1681 V\'·illiams, a pewterer, witness in Jeremiah Rowett case against Joseph Growden 1743 Jeremiah Rowett of st. A., p., (see ante). bond on probate of Anthony 1695 inventory of goods of Martyn Jenkyn, clothier. Williams of Bodmin, p., totalling £33 14s. 10d., included Richard MichelJ £ s. d . 1717 paid Richard Mitchell the pew­ goods in the shopp terer of 12 pewter plates. 3 platter moulds, on 1720 paid Mitchell the pewterer for porrenger mOUld , 2 mending a close stool pan 1s.10 flagon moulds, on 1755 R. Michell one of the pewterers salt mOUld, 2 tumbler testifying to qu~lity of Perran moulds, on blod dish melting-house tin.11 mOUld, 3 spoon There may be some confusion moulds, on scrue mould 4 0 0 here with a Ralph Michell "of st. (in the workshop) Mewan, pewterer", mentioned in on handveell (anvil). 172412 who, almost certainly, 5 hammers, 2 flots, 2 traded in SI. Austell. rasps, 2 sadware huckes,

9 SM . 13/10/1755. 10 CRD. Tremayne Collection: it see ms probable that th e Tremaynes, of Heligan in SI. Ewe , would have bought their pewter in SI. Austell. 11 SM. 13/10/1755. 12 CRD. DDCF/1042. 13 Bayley's Weste rn Directory. ~~ : :: ~~t;ei~fs and Expenses In fh e Building of Bodmin Church 1469-72, ed . J. J. Wilkinson (Camden Soc. 1874) .

- ..~- . - • • --- -'-~----~~-~-~--~;~. -. -:-1 -:--.:.---'--r-:r.-:--"'..,..,. '~71'r'''''''''~''''''''' ""'::-~.:-:; , '. ,'. ---

71

0 on sadware wheele, on 4 old brasse potts o 3 skilletts 3 0 hollow ware wheele, 20 10 0 hollow ware huckes, 4 1 brasse pann burnishers, 3 sodering brasse candlesticks and a small mortar and irons, 2 kettles, on paire o 0 of claimes, 2 ladles, a the pott sett of letters, on vise, 3 old chaulers, a skummer, a skillet 3 metle moulds, on and a dripping spoone 3 0 paire of sheares, on paire of bell owes and a warming pann ' 3 0 2 doz. of old peuter the horsse, 2 beames 8 0 and scales and wights 2 10 0 plates 5 brasse potts, 3 litle one doz. and 7 old kettles, 2 stilles, 22 platters and 2 pie pewter dishes, on pastie plates 2 2 o pann, on cheese plate, 5 basons and a cullander 5 o. 3 pie panns, 2 doz. 3 o and 4 plates, 3 doz. 6 flaggons 4 small old tanketts, a and halfe of spoons, 3 0 13 chamber potts, 3 bottle and 2 cupps porrengers, on stoole 4 ca{ldlesticks 3 6 pann, 1 doz. and halfe 3 butter plates and 6 of tynn tumblers, 4 porringers 4 0 coverd lIaggons, 3 goods in the plaine flagons, 3 tankards workehouse 5 o 0 not finisht, 5 quart Bernard Pennlngton tankards, 6 halfe pint 1692 Bernard Pennington of B., p. tankards, 3 paire of tinn 1714 Bernard Pennington of B., p.17 caldlestickes, on doz. (note also William Pennington sawcers, 2 wine quart9, apprenticed to John Lovering of on pinte and halfe Bristol in 1676 (Cotterell 3608) pinte, 2 brandie botles, and John Pennington of Tavistock on litle salt, 2 muster potts, on litle brandie 1680-1729 (Cotterell 3607). For bowle 800 another John Pennington see Ware not finished Truro) . 15 plates, 47 flaggons, Bennet Michell on tankard, 2 doz. and 1783 Bennet Michell of Bodmin, brazier 8 porrengers, 3 doz. and tinman.18 and 10 blood dishes, (see St. Austell, 1783 and 1793). 3 doz. and 5 cupps, CAM BORNE 3 wine quarts, 21 blockes, on platter and Wllliam Gribble 100 wight of old 1688 Masse. The surname is localised brasse, 108 Ii. 01 old and the PRs give a William tyn, 49 Ii. of Gribble at that time. shaveings16 4 10 0 ST. COLUMB MAJOR Chrlstopher Pennlngton Hugh Sexton 1688 Christopher Pennington of B., p., 1601 Hugh Sexton 'pewterey' buried. bond on probate 01 Robert Woone (PR) 01 Tywardreath. (see Truro for Henry Sexton with 1698 inventory, totalling £52 19s. 6d., son Hugh, 1660). included FALMOUTH goods and things Charles Applebee (Quaker) belonging to his 1697 married Loveday Ellis at Mara­ 8 8 trade in the shop 11 19 4 small milke panns 12 0 zion. Another Charles Applebee, also a 3 kettles 12 0

16 see Mass/!. "Sadware men worked at heavy articles, such as plates, dishes, chargers and trenchers. The hollow-ware men, as the name implies, worked at large pots, measures, pint pots, quart pots, tankards and flagons of all names and sizes. Triflers worked in trifle metal and plate metal on lighter wares-spoons and, later on, forks, buckles, toys, buttons; but by 1612 they had taken to make much hollow ware. The lay-men worked in lay or ley, tin alloyed with lead. Hollow-ware was sometimes made of plate metal and sometimes of lay". Most of the terms here are self explanatory: ·huckes'-hooks. 17 1692 CRO. DDR/109: 1714 RIG. HK/4/5. 18 Bayley's Western Directory. 19 CRO. Quaker Records. <·.,/.'.···:.·1,\··:;·,'·. L\ • " . ,,' . 72 . '. .~ .' ~ . " Quaker but of Liskeard, presum­ Jacob Chapman ably a relative, appeared in the 1752 Jacob Chapman of F., p., men­ Sufferings In 1660, 1661 and tioned in account-book.22 1663: when robbed in 1666 he (see Liskeard, 1761) was described as a very poor Samuel Gates man. 1755 one of pewterers signing to John Tregellas (Quaker) quality of Perran melting house Jc The recprd of the Sufferings (in tin. 11 printed form and in MS at CRO) shows 1756 buried. (PR) a succession of Tregellas pewterers. Matthew Allison 1660 taken away from John Tregellis 1755 M. Allison one of the pewterers is house a kettill, a skilit, 3 plates, signing as to quality of Perran a peuter candellstick to the value melting-house tin.23 of 18s. J 1674-5 other goods taken from him . 1776 M. Allison, "a printer and alder­ 1 man of the town", a principal in Samuel Tregellas (Quaker) the 'pottery riot' (see below). 1710/11 taken from Samuel Tregilles His sympathy for the pewterers J of Falmouth 5 dozen puter may have stemmed from his early 1 plates weighing 64t Ibs. career. £2 8s. 4td. 1794 Mathew Alison, aged 79, buried. Joseph Tregellas (Quaker) V. (PR) c1725 I. Tregelles of Falmouth. (Cot­ 1 terell 4807) . Joseph Bullock 1738 Joseph Tregelles of F., p., bond 1776 On March 22nd a hundred tinners on probate of John Stephens of assembled at where they Feock. destroyed all the Staffordshire 1744 bond on probate of his son-in-law pottery ware in the . market and John Veale of Lostwithiel. shops. They proceeded to Fal­ 1745 bond on probate of daughter, mouth where the Corporation had Mary Veale. "let the proprietors of the earth­ 1755 one of the pewterers signing to enware the room over the market the quality of Perran melting­ for a warehouse; they soon de­ house tin.20 molished all the Staffordshire In 1717 six dozen plates weighing ware, and it was with great 65 Ibs., value £2 6s. Otd., were difficulty that the gentlemen of the taken from him and in 1729 a town saved' . the market house dozen hard mettle plates, a dozen from being set on fire; much ordinary and one large pewter praise, we are informed, is due bason. to one Mr. Allison, a printer and (in the County Museum, Truro, a alderman of the town, for the part large circular dish with his touch) . he took in having promised them Samuel Tregellas (Quaker) that he would endeavour to put 1753 Samuel Tregellas of F., p., bond a stop to the rapid progress on probate of William Freethy. which that ware had made throughout the county; and to - Wllllams show an example he went with c1720 - Williams, Falmouth (Cotterell several of the ring-leaders to one 5164) . There is a plate with this Mr. Bullock, a pewterer, and gave touch in the County Museum, him an order for several dozen Truro. of dishes and plates . '. . "24 1761 to be sold: complete set of pewterer's moulds: apply to Mrs. 1783 Joseph Bullock, pewterer and Margaret Williams, Falmouth.21 brazier.25 a Richard Williams buried at 1784 Joseph Bullock for two dozen of Falmouth in 1761. (PR) pewter plates £1 10s. Od. 25 A

20 SM. 13/10/1755. 21 SM. 31/8/1761- 22 CRO. Enys Collection. 23 SM . 13/10/1755. 24 Exeter Flying Post 5/4/1776. 25 8ayley's Western Directory. 25A CRO. 22/M/EA/4 .

• - .. ~ . '''1''''-- '-,-,,'-'--~-.a ...... -:",,~;----'-'-'-""""""""""""""" .. ~ \' , ,

" ;. " ...... 4 ...... ~ -~ ...... -~~~::o ...... ; I 73 LAUNCESTON (see Penzance for other mem­ bers of the Bullock family and Robert Pewterer an earlier reference to a Joseph 1467/8 10s. for divers broken tin Bullock, 1772). candlesticks and cruets sold to Robert Pewterer.30

FOWEY Noble Potter John Roseveare 1676 inventory of Noble Potter of SI. 1694 John Roseveare of F., p., bond Thomas by L. (no trade given), on probate of William Pickerin of totalling £64 2s. d., included . one dozen and halfe 1700 John Roseveare of F., p., late of pewter 10 0 occupant of house there. 26 five old crocks to be new cast 18 0 John Pomery 1702 John Pomery junior of F., p.27 Anthony Hoskyn 1703 Anthony Hoskyn of L., p., bond Pascoe of GRAM POUND on probate of John Luxulian. Peauterer Janyn 1734 bond on probate of Henry under Gram­ 1439 the name appears Bennett, tanner: from the estate Alien Subsidy Roll. pound in the he boughf 136t pounds of pewter William Plomer for £3 19s. ?id. 1527 William Plomer of G., p., involved 1734 bond on probate of Elizabeth in riot.28 Short of Egloskerry. (this is an interesting juxta­ 1742 will: he had sons Anthony, John position of the two trades, and Henry, all of whom were plumber and pewterer). pewterers. Anthony and John Hoskyn 1734 Anthony and John Hoskyn of L., James Nosworthy p., bonds on probate of Waiter 1681 inventory of James Nosworthy of Bennett. H., totalling £74, included 1739 Anthony and John Hoskyn of L., moulds for casting p., bonds on probate of Thomas of peuter 15 0 0 Bennett for melting kettles, (see Truro for John Hoskyn, 1753- wheels, hammers, 88) . anvils and hooks 5 0 0 for ti n, peuter and Henry Hoskyn · 15 0 0 tin glas see Cotterell 2416. Henry Hoskyn, tin dross 1 0 0 for Launceston c.1680-1730: illustrates. and wearing his books with full name and clothes 5 0 0 his touch fleur-de-lis on one and castle on Alexander Treglan other. Large plate in County 1688 see Masse Museum, Truro, bears just his Tregian of H., 1716 will of Alexander name struck horizontally. p. He left a large estate but, un­ fortunately, no inventory Thomas Bennett (see Truro for Richard Tregian 1702 Thomas Bennett of L. , p., bond 1671-1697) . on probate of William Blagdon. wife "the house I now Henry Rogers 1722 will: left to I bought of Mr. 1734 Henry Rogers, a Helston pewterer, live in which principal actor in the 'Siege of Thomas Shute". Bennett, Skewis' for which, in August 1735 1740 Jane, widow of Thomas house in with his servant John Street he late of L., p., owned 1 was sentenced to death.29 High Streei.3

26 CRO. DDR/509. . 27 CRO. DDR/384 . 28 Star Chamber Proceedings VIII, 137. Cornish Characters and Strange Events, by S. Banng Gould. 29 see . 30 see History of Launceston, by R. and O. B. Peter 31 RIC. P/2/38. ,\ ,:.,' ,' ", , ', " , 74 , ' . John Stacy £ s, d. 1724 John Stacy, 'putiner'.32 in pewter, tynn and Philip ElloH or Elyes brasse 25 0 0 1731 Philip Elyes 'putiter'. in small warres in 1732, 1735 Philip Eliott, pewterer.32 the shoope 10 5 0 William MIII(s) in moulds and other working tooles 12 0 0 1728, 1732 Will iam Mill, pewterer. 1695 will of Elizabeth Whitford, widow. 1730 William Mills, pewterer.32 She left to the Liskeard Meeting " the use ' of my chamber which LlSKEARD friends doe use to meete in " , the Peter Towsen (Quaker) stools, tables, forms and chairs 1660 see SI. Austell. to be left there for them. She 1663 arrested in Liskeard "being newly left to her brother, William Hill come to dwell in the Borough". "my great dying furniss". The 1667 inventory included inventory, totalling £172 3s. 9d. , £ s. d. included the sad moulds 18 4 0 £ s. d . hollo moulds 550 moulds and tools 33 10 9 the wheeles 300 pewter and brasse the spoone ham er and with 4 fournaces 15 8 9 stampe 13 4 (a piece bearing George Whit­ 3 smaule hamers 10 0 ford 's touch, when sold in London hollo ware hookes and recently, was described as by "a floots 9 4 a sett of letters 3 3 hitherto unknown Cornish pew­ 3 - and 1 pair clains 2 0 terer" . ) in rufe ware 800 in nue sad ware 10 0 Step hen Parkin in nue hollo ware 1 10 0 1679 Stephen Parkinge fined is. for in new layer ware 7 0 " keepinge of a pewterers shop in tinn o 0 beinge noe burgesse nor license in new kittells and soe to doe".34 in ould bras 10 0 1681 in the case against Joseph Grow­ in ould layd 5 0 den (see St. Austell) two pew­ in holla ware blocks 4 0 terers were called to test the Stephen Towsen (Quaker) metal: one, Perkin, had been a 1665 Stephen Towsen presented in the pewterer fifteen years, the other, borough court for keeping a shop Nicholls . (otherwise unlocated) and exercising the occupation of twelve. . Masse notes Samuel cutler and pewterer, he not being Nicholls as a Cornish pewterer in a burgess.33 1688. George Whitlord (Quaker) 1684 StephenParkyn of Liskeard, p.35 1659 struck on head in general dis­ William Sandys (Quaker?) turbance. 1701 will of William Sandys of L. , p. 1660 acknowledged absence from Left to his kinsman, Samuel church and gaoled for not taking Hamley 'puterer', " my pound and Oath of Allegiance and Supre­ half puter dish mould" , to his macy. sister Patience and her husband, 1666 pewter valued at 9s. taken from John Williams "one dozen of new George Whitford and Peter Town­ masteren pewter plates", to his son (ante) for not attending the friend John Hancock, " my black steeple-house. vest and rideing co ate and a pare 1666 George Whitford to prison for of breeches". The inventory, opening his shop windows on totalling £18 9s. 3d ., included Christmas Day. £ s. d. 1668 punished for similar offence. ten pewter dishes 13 4 1675 inventory, totalling £96 11s. 8d ., si x plates 3 0 included goods in the trade 450

32 GRO. Bishop's Transcripts (PR) . 33 GRO. Liskeard Borough Re cords. 34 ibid. 35 see Economic History 01 Cornwall In the Seventeenth Century, th es is by J . G. A. Wh etter.

"-, -~'-:;.'"! ' -~ ... . ,'" --...,. --- ... - , "'T'""~~''''''_'~T'j1'''O''''~--'-. --"'''-- ~ - --.... --;-r..,...... ,~~..,...... ,...... ---.,.,.,.....,~....,.."...... =-~~...,..

) '" I) • " . .... ~. J 75

12 of brass ware John Marke candlesticks, of John 1688 bequest to Rebecca, wife etc. at 12d. 12 0 Mark, p., In will of Epiphany 7 of copper Keswell. at 9d. 6 3 between these years five of 2 0 of old ledd 1689-1704 4 8 his children buried. (PR) at 1 d. April and old John Marke, p., buried on 9 hammers new 1704 workeing 27th. (PR) and other tooles as by John Hancock (Quaker?) rs 2 6 , p., particula 1686 John, son of John Hancock a wheel and blockes, buried. (PR) etc. 0 0 . bond on probate of Peter Scoble two rose heads and 1691 35, pipes John Hancock of L. , p., aged three decanting 1695 it­ pair of witness to will of Elizabeth Wh and two lived doggs 4 0 ford (ante) . He said that he the about 100 of furs in part of the same house and 4 0 thin he heard the wood partition being (there were four Bristol pew­ will read. terers called Barron in the late in will of W'illiam rt 1701 beneficiary seventeenth century and Robe ­ Sandys (ante). Barron in London in the eight Samuel Hamley eenth) . beneficiary in will of William 1701 Jacob Chapman Sandys (ante). Jacob 1761 apprentice absconded from Jonathan Baron Chapman, pewterer and spoon­ , Li~­ Lis­ 1711 messuage in Market Street maker in the London way, Jona­ .36 keard , lately occupied by keard: none other in the town in will than Baron, p., mentioned (see Falmouth , 1752) . of John Richards of L. gent. £89 1s. 6d ., 1713 inventory, totalling LOSTWITHIEL included d. c. q. Ibs. . £ s . Richard Peauturer 4 2 12 of old pewter 1327 in Lay Subsidy Roll. and tinn at Thomas and Nicholas Peawterer 12 18 0 in Lan­ 6d . lb. 1452 parties to lease of land 3 24 f of new pewter Iivery.37 at 8d . 7 8 2 Thomas Wylcok 4 0 13 of old brass John Gylard and shruffe John Gylard and Thomas Wylcok, and 1465 of at 6d . 11 10 6 'peuterers', involved in case 38 o 7 of new pott assault at Lostwithiel. brass at 6d . 2 19 6 Thomas Allyn 2 14 of old broken , took house at 3d . 3 6 6 1585 Thomas Allyn, yeoman potts from William 20 of cours hard in Ducking Street brass at 4d . 16 0 Goble, p.39 Thomas 2 14 of aloy chamber 1593 Thomas Allyn, p., and Lost­ potts and Allyn, 'wyredrawer', both of in measures withiel, mentioned separately at 4d . 3 4 .40 2 bounds of property 1 2 19 of old aloy 11 Goble 5 1 180fmouldsnew Thomas of and old Thomas Goble of L., p., feoffee 1576 be­ at 6d. 15 3 0 property in Ducking Street the 9 of brass panns tween the market house and and kitties highway.41 at 14d. 8 13 10

36 SM . 26/1/1761. gh R ecords (LBR) 207. ~~ ~~t~;/~~l~i.thiel Borou ection. 39 CRO . Mount Edg cumbe Coll 40 ibid. 41 ibid . 76

WiIIlam Goble specifically mentioned. He left to 1581 mention of William Goble of L., his wife "18 of the London pewter p.42 plates and the four London pewter 1584 lease to William Goble of L., p., dishes".) Elizabeth his wife and Waiter their son of tenement in Lan­ livery.43 PAUL 1585 William Goble, p., transfers pro­ Roger Ellls perty to Thomas Allyn.44 1732 will of Roger Ellis of P., p. He was a Robert Goble native of Madron and might be put more properly 1608 under Pen­ lease from Corporation to Robert zance. Goble of L., p., of tenement in North Street "for thencreasinge of PENRYN the comoditie of the whole towne ... " on the lives of Alice his wife, George Treluddra Susanna and Elizabeth their 1624, 1644 George Treluddra of P., p.48 daughters.45 Samuel Morion Wailer Goble 1724 paid Mr. Sam. Morton of Penryn 1613 Waiter Goble of L., p., witness to for working up 99 pounds of will of John Jelbart. pewter into plates etc. £3 7s. Od.49 1627 inventory, totalling £895 18s. 3d ., (Peter Mourton noted as Cornish included pewterer in 1688: Masse) £ s. d. It is certain that one would All his wares have in the found more Penryn shopp, chests, pewterers had the wills still been weights and scales 84 0 0 extant. (his household contained) sixteene platters, 4 PENZANCE pottengers, one bason, In July 1638, among the stall-holders 6 plates, 6 pottage at Goldsithney Fair, were five pewterers, dishes, seaven sawsers, presumably one cupp, two from the neighbourhood­ salts, Penzance, three candlesticks, one and Helston.5o quart pott and one This fact shows that the list is far from pinte pott and one finite and illustrates even more the chamber pott all of universality of pewter in the seventeenth peauter 2 10 0 century. He is not called pewterer in will John Ellis (Quaker) or inventory. His parents were 1657 John Ellis had taken from him William and Grace, his wife 3 pewter platters and one Agnes, sons John, William, pewter porringer worth Richard and Waiter, 12s. and at daughters another Agnes and Bridget. time 2 pewter platters worth 6s. MARAZION John Ellls William MilleH 1687 John Ellis junior of P., p.51 1757 William Millett of M., p., bond on 1688 see Masse probate of Humphry Millett of (see Paul for Roger Ellis, 1732). Penzance. Joseph Benmer 1767 William Millet of M., p.46 1676 Joseph Ben mer of P., p. bond on 1783 described as deceased47 probate of Richard White. (ironically, the will of Leonard (Joseph Ben mer of P. won a Millet!, a Marazion merchant, is competition against a Londoner one in which London pewter is for best work52 ).

42 RIC. K/7/42. 43 CRO. Carlyon Collection. 44 CRO. Mount Edgcumbe Collection. 45 CRO. LBR/114. 46 RIC. BIR/9/32. 47 RIC. BIR/9/45. 48 RIC. HC/36/1 and 6. 49 CRO. Enys Collection: account-book. 50 RtC. Henderson Catendar 51 . 51 RIC. EL/2/53. 52 see Collectanea Cornubiensia, referring to Aggravi Venetiani (1697) .

---r-...... -. --....- ...... -...... --,..~..~...--. - , .•~-.---. ----~--..--. ..,., -~.,...--.-:,...,... .,., ""'.-:-.. ..".'rr~~...,-;-;""'"'-;-..--.,-::::-=:=-. . .,.,..,r.-";' 77

Jamoo Mitchell BenJamin Bullock 1781 Benjamin Bullocke of P., p. bond 1681/2 at a Court, James Mitchell of on probate of Thomas Vigurs. Penzance was refused the free­ bankrupt.58 dom of the London Company 1793 as a country member, although Robyns he had served a seven years' John 1722 John Robyns of P. , p., party to apprenticeship with a pewterer bond.59 in Penzance53 1729 bequest to Grace, daughter of (see Truro, 1680-1711). John Robyns, p., ' in will of Eliza­ James Smylh beth Bastard. p: 1693 will of James Smyth of P., 1734 to J. Robyns for saucepan, desired to be buried at Sancreed, skillett and changing two pewter near his father's grave. dishes 14s. Od. Charles Lewellyn Mr. Jo. Robyns for copper, crock 1739 see Introduction for case against and brass pann and all other" him regarding use of uncoined tin. accounts £3 3s. 7!d. 54 He is styled 'gent' in 1740. 1742 paid Mr. John Robyns for peuter in full £1 19s. Od. 60 Joseph Beard will: left substantial legacies: had 1731, 1737 see Introduction. 1762 land in St. Just-in-. 1745 Joseph Beard of P., p. bond on probate of Alexander Richards of Robyns Paul. John will of John Robyns of P., p. Left 1745 will of Joseph Beard of P: no title 1786 to his daughter Grace, lands given him. Left £300 to son £300 son Thomas. Joseph, £200 to each of four in SI. Just to daughters, remainder to son John. "wishing health and happiness to Charles Gwavas Gwavas of P., p., bond all my friends, peace on earth, 1758 Charles of Edward Betty. good will towards men . . . it on probate pan paid Mrs. has pleased Almighty God for 1765 to a pewter 5s. 6d. some years past to bless me his Gwavas balance of his most unworthy creature with a 1767 paid Mr. Gwavas is. 9!d.60 greater measure of health than I bill of pewter Gwavas, p., married could have expected from the 1768 Charles constitution and Elizabeth Friggens. (PR) tenderness of my 61 the troubles of life . .." 1772 gazetted bankrupt 177 4 notice of bankruptcy: Charles John Bullock Gwavas of Penzance, tallow P. p.55 1688 John Bullock of chandler and pewterer.62 1705 legatee in will of Edmund Jones . of P., innkeeper Tobias Tilley P. p. (aged 66) 1719 John Bullock of 1773 lease to Tobias Tilley of P., p.63 witness in probate of will of Bennatts widow. Christian Richard Pen rose 64 John Bullock 1772 gazetted bankrupt, yet 1741 John Bullock of P. p. buys house 1774 Richard Penrose of P. , p., bond in Our Lady Streel.56 on probate of Richard Pen rose of Scilly, gent. Joseph Bullock 1772 Joseph Bullock, pewterer, P.57 (see Falmouth, 1776-84) .

53 Cotterell 3242 . 54 RIC. 55 CRO. BRA/513/2. 56 CRO. BRA/513/3. 57 SM . 13/1/1772. 58 Cotterell 684a . 59 RIC. BIR/8/73. . Th is also has the entry:-1769 to one oval dish London 60 RIC . William Borlase account-book (or Cumin) was one of pewter, at 20d. per pound, paid Mrs. Commins 10s. 10d. J. Camln the pewterers signing to quality of Perran melting house tin in 1755 . 61 Cotterell 2051 A. 62 Exeter Flying Post 23/12/1774. 63 RIC . P/23/25. 64 Cotterell 360BA. ' " ' !,',;"", \' .: I ' ' '\ . ,:.~,~\ \'"., ".:,"':" ", : ... I' I • ~ : : I" , ,\ " ,'., I 78

I REDRUTH of T., p. Left to eldest son Hugh i George Udgey "all my hollowe ware moulds and 1727 George Lidgey of R. , p., bond on all the materialls belonginge probate of George Lidgey. thereunto" and to son Henry "all my soadware moulds and all the 'William Reynolds materia lis and tooles belonginge 1737 William Reynolds of R., p., bond unto them " . The inventory, total­ on probate of Philip Reynolds. ling £749s. 8d ., included all the moulds and all the tools and materialls thereunto belonginge £20 Os . Od. Richard Williams (Hugh, son of Henry Sexton, was 1623 Richard Williams combined the apprenticed to John Knowles of three allied trades of pewterer, Bristol in 1648-Cotterell 4195). plumber and glazier: the inven­ An earlier Sexton, Hugh of St. tory, totalling £82 18s. 10d., Columb Major, pewterer, buried included there in 1601 . a pound of tobackow 6 0 a castinge frame 3 4 Richard Tregian in the shop 5 cwt. 1671 daughter of Richard Tregian, p., of sow led 200 baptised. (Kenwyn PR) 8 cwt. of sheed ledd 400 1680 defendant in Vice - Warden's 6 cwt. of old ledd 200 Court.67 gLasse new and old 368 1681 "Williams-served his apprentice­ brasse ware new ship with one Tregian, a pew­ and old 2 0 0 terer".68 pewter hollow ware 10 0 0 newe pewter dishesse, 1697 Richard Trudgian, a Truro pew­ fyve garnish 5 0 0 terer.69 old pewter and the (see Helston for Alexander Tre­ brasse basen 200 gian) . lede ashes 1 0 0 Thomas Lovett a glaziers vice 200 beame waights 1 0 0 1686 Thomas Lovett of St. Clement, p., other small implements bond on probate of William about the shopp 6 8 Lovett. at Lanceston 3 cwt. Henry Pllnt sheet ledd 10 0 1713 to Mr. Henry Plint for 6 puter two peeces of sauder 6 8 spoones 1s. 6d .70 an iron crocke, tonges, 2 jares of (Richard Plint, the Truro gold­ oyle, ledd ashes and smith, is better-known) . other stuffe their 2 0 0 James Michell (another Richard Williams of Sal­ 1680 Mention of James Michell of T., tash, 'plummer' in his will and p,71 'glazier' in the inventory in 1671). 168112 James Mitchell (of ' Penzance) refused the freedom of the TRURO London Company as a country Richard pyauterer member though he had served a seven years' apprenticeship to 137965 a pewterer in Penzance,72 John Megre 1691 James Michell of T., p., bond on 1419 will of John Megre, citizen and probate of Gertrude Pennell. pewterer of London: a native of 1693 bond on probate of Stephen Truro.66 Polwhele. Henry Sexton 1711 James Mitchell of T., p., takes 1660 nuncupative will of Henry Sexton lease of house in Pydar Street.73

65 CRO . MTD/17/17. 66 PCC. March e 46 . 67 RIC . 68 RIC . 69 PRO . E134 . EAST 41 . 70 CRO . Enys Coll ection: account-book. 71 CRO . EA 5. 72 Collerell 3242. 73 CRO. DDG 1395. 79

Richard Avery Mr. Tuck, and I do hereby forgive of all debts and 1731 Richard Avery of Kenwyn, pew­ and acquit him me at the time terer, bond on probate of John demands due to also I give and Hugoe of St. Just-in-Roseland. of my death, bequeath unto the said Thomas John Luke Elliot all my wearing apparel both T., p., bond on pro­ 1735 John Luke of linen and wollen without reserve". Tregideon of bate of Christable (see Launeston for other Hoskyn Kea. pewterers) . Efstone Edmond Thomas Giddy (Quaker) Elstone of T., p., bond 1739 Edmond 1684 Thomas Giddy had pewter and Honour Elstone. on probate of "one of his workinge hammers" John Pennington taken. Penning ton appraiser on 1739 John John Giddy (ante) . Honour Elstone John Giddy of T., brazier and of John Soper. 1778 1740 bond on probate . tinman.77 of Truroe in 1742 to Mr. Pennington Thomas Elliott (post). peuter 1782 see exchange with olde of T., brazier and 65. 4d.74 1783 John Giddy ironmonger.78 1758 bond on probate of John Gully of 1788 see John Hoskyn (ante) _ Probus. 1762 will of John Pennington of T., p: Edward Giddy proved by his son John. 1788 see John Hoskyn (ante) , by (see Bodmin for other Pennington 1797 pewterer's moulds for sale pro­ pewterers) . Edward Giddy of Truro, prietor.79 Jacob Daniell 1769 annuity left to her niece Susanna, Thomas Elfiott wife of Jacob Daniell of T., pew­ 1770 Thomas Elliott of T., p., bond on terer, by Susanna Beard of Pen­ probate of Roger Powell. zance, spinster. 1782 Thomazine, wife of Thomas Ellett Susanna was daughter of Joseph of T., p., acquitted on charge of Beard (see Penzance), the receiving two copper tea kettles Daniells were of Truro and and two brass candlesticks, value Penzance. 2d ., the property of John Giddy.BO 1788 beneficiary in will of John Hoskyn John Hoskyn (ante), 1753 John Hosken of T., brazier, bond of John Trewheeler. on probate TYWARDREATH 1778 lease to John Hoskyn of T., pewterer.75 Thomas Couch Tywardreath, 1783 John Hoskyn of T., brazier.76 1717 Thomas Couch of B1 1788 will of John Hoskyn of T. , brazier. pewterer. Left to his grandsons Edward and John Giddy, sons of John UNLOCATED Giddy "all my brass moulds in Edward Champion might sug- the pewter trade and all and 1688 Masse. The surname Major. singular my working tools and gest St. Columb machines in the pewter and braz- William Cock (Rate 1691 , ing business". Left to "Thomas1688 Masse. St. Austell Elliot my trusty journeyman ten RIC). pounds and ten shillings to be Edmund Davy paid him within six months after 1688 Masse. my decease by my executors in trust, also I give him one feather Peter Godfrey St. Austell. bed-tye which I lately bought of 1688 Masse. Almost certainly

74 CRO. Enys Collection: account-book. 75 CRO . Clifden Collection. 76 Bayley's Western Directory. 77 CRO. Apprenticeship Indentures. 7B Bayley's Western Directory. 79 SM . 3/4/1797. 80 CRO. Quarter Sessions Records. 81 CRO. OOR/329B. " . ' , I, . :: 80

John Johns 1688 Masse. John Partridge 1688 Masse. Thomas Roskilly undated receipt, endorsed 'pewterer's account', for repairing pewter plates.82 Richard Tedder 1688 Masse. George Towgood 1795 Masse. Nathanlel Triggs 1688 Masse. John Williams 1688 Masse. William WyaU 1688 Masse.

" .., ..... : ~ .

82 CRO. Buller 388 .