They all have names on them, which give us tantalising clues about their past, but pose lots of new questions!
Do you have any of the answers?
Loving cup, 1802
A loving cup decorated with floral patterns, woodworking
tools and inscribed ‘John & Ann Smith
Wakefield
This
cup may have been made to celebrate their marriage. Can you guess what kind of
job John Smith might have had? What sort of things could have been pictured to represent Ann? Would Ann have had any sort of trade, or worked in service before marriage?
Pot, 1845
Decorated with floral patterns and inscribed ‘Joseph & Elizabeth Robinson Wakefield 1845’.
We think this pot may have been made as a writing set. What do you think it was made
for?
Cup and saucer, 1862
Decorated with a posy design and inscribed ‘Charlotte Harrap Born Jan 14th 1862’.
Records show that a Charlotte Harrap was baptised on the 27th
January 1862 and her parents were William (a farmer labourer) and Harriet
Harrap who lived on Westgate Common.
What happened to Charlotte? Was this cup ever used, or just kept as an ornament?
Jug, around 1790
This jug was made in Ferrybridge by Ralph Wedgewood. It is
decorated with the crest of the Friendly Society of Cordwainers of England and
inscribed ‘John Taylor’. A cordwainer makes shoes and this society was an early
type of trade union. Records reveal that a cordwainer from Silkstone called
John Taylor took on an apprentice in 1808.
Is this his jug?
Loving cup, 1794
Decorated with garlands and inscribed ‘Thos. Rishworth 1794’. Thomas Rishworth was a local banker and
served as Chief Constable of Wakefield in 1805. This cup may have been made to
celebrate the birth of the first of his eleven children in 1794 or at the start
of his banking career when he was made first clerk of the Wakefield bank
Ingram, Kennet and Ingram.
Which do you think more likely?
This is just a selection of the named objects we have on display in Drury Lane Library. We are using them to inspire creative writing, as they are great starting points for people's stories.
We would love to hear you thoughts!
Thomas Rishworth was my great times four grandfather, via his son George Townend. From my research into this man's life, I should hazard that he had the cup made to celebrate his accession to the post of first clerk in Ingram Kennet and Ingram. If the lack of filial feeling among the children is any guide to Thomas's paternal sentiments, then I doubt he would have considered the birth of any child of his worth marking in such a manner.
ReplyDeleteHi Anne
DeleteInterested in your research, he was also my great times four grandfather, via his son George Townend.
Kind regards
Damian Riley