[ALINGTON, Arthur Hildebrand (1839 –1925), Naval officer] Citation for gallantry in saving a man’s life at sea for Arthur Hildebrand Alington, consisting of four documents and an envelope on blue paper (with pale spotting) as follows:

1. 1. Autograph citation signed by Commander S.H.Henderson on 3 sides folio, headed “An instance of gallantry combined with good judgment”, H.M.S. Megaera at sea Bay of Biscay, May 9^th 1861, setting out in detail the action of Lieutenant A.H.Alngton in saving the life of Private James Brown, Royal Engineers, “a lunatic”, who threw himself into the sea off Lisbon on the 5^th May. At the foot of the document are the autograph signatures of the witnesses Colonel A.A.Shuttleworth, Royal Artillary;  Lieutenant C.Delors Broughton, H M S Megaera; Chas Moore, Chaplain to the Forces; David Moore, Master of HMS Megaera; Captain W.--?-- B--?--, RN; and F. H. Blaxall, Surgeon HMS Megaera.

2. 2. A close written manuscript copy of the above citation on 2 sides, folio.

3. 3. Letter signed by Rear Admiral and Senior Officer ---?---  to Commander S.H.Henderson on 1 side folio, Royal Adelaide in the Hamoaze, 15^th May 1861, acknowledging receipt of his report on the gallant conduct of Lieutenant A.H.Alington, and conveying the satisfaction of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty at his conduct saying that they have forwarded the case for the consideration of the Royal Humane Society.

4. 4. Letter signed by  W.G. ---?---  to Lieutenant Alington RN on 1 side folio, Admiralty, 20^th May 1861, in reference to his gallant attempt to save the life of John Brown reporting that the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty “have received a letter from His Royal Highness the General Commanding in Chief expressing his approbation of the daring, and cool judgement which you displayed on the occasion”.

5. 5. An envelope with a broken seal, bearing in faded ink manuscript “Concerning Humane Medal to accompany certificate”.

Précis of the citation (transcript of the full text will be supplied) :-
[On board HMS Megaera off Lisbon] Sunday Afternoon May 5^th 1861 ….. James Brown a Private Royal Engineers, who had been sent on board at Gibraltar a “Lunatic” for a passage to England, was walking to and fro on the Upper Deck “under charge” when suddenly he eluded his keeper and jumped overboard …….. Lieutenant Arthur Alington, one of the Lieutenants of the Megaera …... hearing the cry of a “Man Overboard” ran for one of the Hand Life Buoys and watching his opportunity as the man floated aft, he threw it as near him as possible and it fell within 6 yards ……observing that he was apparently bewildered (which was no great wonder considering that James Brown is judged to be a hopeless lunatic) and judging that the man would be drowned through fright before assistance by a boat could reach him ……threw off his coat and jumped overboard…… he swam towards the man but observing his wild looks on getting near him and seeing his Red Coat (James Brown is one of the few “Red” Soldiers on board, the greater part of the Megaera’s freight belonging to the Royal Artillery) he came to the conclusion that his friend was the Madman so he swam to the Life Buoy and struck out with it towards the man, who was then however showing evident signs of soon going down ….. At this moment the boat we had lowered reached the spot and passing between the two people in the water, the men caught hold of James Brown on the one side of the boat and of Lieutenant Alington on the other side and so both were rescued ….. The unfortunate lunatic James Brown had to be placed in a warm bath when brought on board and otherwise carefully attended;  he is now however as well as before his escapade. He has tried to commit suicide before this, but attempting to cut his throat …. PHOTO

£250

Arthur Hildebrand Alington was born in Caistor, Lincolnshire in 1839, the son of George Marmaduke Alington of Swinhope House and Mary Bancroft Lister. He entered the navy in 1852 and was to see service all over the world beginning with the Crimean war of 1854-55. He was promoted to the rank of Commander in 1870, and Captain in 1879. On 1 May, 1895, Alington hoisted his flag in Empress of India at Devonport as Second-in-Command of the Channel Squadron. He was placed on the Retired List at his own request in 1899, and was advanced to the rank of Vice-Admiral on the Retired List in 1901 and Admiral in 1904.

He married Charlotte Mary Moore (1842-1913) daughter of Rev. Charles Moore of Garlenick, Cornwall in 1870, by whom he had two sons and two daughters.

HMS Megaera was an iron screw frigate built by William Fairbairn's Millwall Shipyard and launched in 1849, but was in 1852 converted for use as a troopship. Beset with problems, she was beached in an unseaworthy state at St Paul Island on a voyage to Australia in 1871, where her crew survived for nearly three months before being rescued. A copy of the book "The Story and Scandal of HMS Megaera" by R.Haywood (1978) is available with these documents if required.

COMMANDER UNDER MARLBOROUGH 1702-1704

CUTTS, John, Baron Cutts of Gowran (1660/61–1707), army officer and politician. Autograph letter signed, to an unnamed correspondent [but by association with other evidence to Mr Watkins], Hague, February 18th 1703, 3 sides, small 4to, docketed on reverse, concerning packets which he has taken upon himself to open "....it fell out luckily that I opened Cardonel's packet for there was in it a letter from his Grace to me, one to Monsiuer Geldermalsen & one to General Scolos, the Danish Lieutenant General besides two to Grosslier, all of which I took care of" and assuring his correspondent "You may depend upon my Secrecy as well as Honour, where it is requisite; and I open no letters when I don't know the hand or when I do and think it private business. I think the satire they send you very unkind to some of our friends......". He goes on to mention Col.Wheeler from whom he has heard nothing "by which I imagine he has heard of your journey & is returned to Breda. I would have you wait his coming now you are there .......... 'tis necessary I name a new President in case Wheeler does not return soon enough. A new warrant shall be sent to you upon your first notice", and mentions receipt of a letter from Brigadier Woods.

£325

Upon Queen Anne’s accession in 1702, Cutts became a major-general and was placed in command of English troops serving in the Dutch republic. Promoted lieutenant-general, he remained in command of the English troops when Marlborough went home in the winter of 1702–3. In February 1703 he was given credentials to negotiate a cartel with the French for the exchange of prisoners, and subsequently joined Marlborough’s campaign of 1703 (Marlborough returned to the Hague on 4 March 1703).

In preparing for the Blenheim campaign in May 1704, Marlborough warned Godolphin not to let Cutts know that he intended to march beyond the Mosel, ‘for he is not capable of keeping a secrit’. Cutts and several other officers carrying money for the army joined Marlborough at Burgheim in July and in August the allied army, commanded by Prince Eugene and Marlborough, marched westwards to meet the French. Marlborough created an extra column on of twenty battalions and fifteen squadrons under Cutts, commanding the army's southern flank facing the village of Blenheim. Cutts made repeated assaults on the village, meeting stiff resistance from the French. In the final stages of the battle Cutts was joined by the earl of Orkney and General Charles Churchill in encircling the village and preventing the 10,000 French troops from breaking out of Blenheim, eventually forcing them to surrender. (ODNB).

The recipient of Cutts' letter was evidently Henry Watkins, secretary to the Duke of Marlborough, and a War Office colleague of Cardonnel. Adam de Cardonnel (1663–1719) was chief clerk in the War Office, one time secretary to Marlborough, who became an important administrator and figure during the early years of the War of Spanish Succession. 'Monsiuer Geldermalsen' referred to in the letter is Adriaan van Borsele van der Hooge, Lord of Geldermalsen (1658-1728), a protégé of William III who became member of the Council of the States in 1692. From 1693 till 1718 Geldermalsen was representative of the States General in the field, including campaigns under Marlborough.

LAST PERSON IMPEACHED IN THE UNITED KINGDOM

DUNDAS, Henry, first Viscount Melville (1742–1811), politician. Letter signed to Chas. W. Dilke, Navy Pay Office, 22nd May 1797, 3 sides folio, heavily criticizing Dilke for not attending properly to matters in the Pay Office "I find my Paymaster has written repeatedly to you respecting the delay in dispatching the Business sent to you from the Inspectors Branch of my Office. I beg to acquaint you that I have requested the Navy Board to write upon this subject to Commissioner Saxton and to recommend that no Claim shall be solved at any time or paid to any Agent until all Claims are finished which you may then have in your hands from the Inspectors Branch ............... I now inform you of the necessity of exerting your Authority over the junior Clerks whom you shall appoint to make out the Remittance Bills, as I shall not admit any excuse whatever on your part - you may remove any of them from their Situation if you find it necessary ................... I shall hold you responsible to me for the due execution of this particular Business and will not allow the necessity of retaining you in your present Situation if the Claims from the Inspectors Branch shall not be duly cleared off and dispatched previous to any payment being made to any Agent or Officers or others......". Docketed on the reverse. Top (blank) areas of paper soiled with small tears.

£350

Dundas served as treasurer of the Admiralty between 1782-1800, and was also Secretary of State for War. The Paymaster referred to was Alexander Trotter, who Dundas had appointed in 1785, and the recipient of this letter was Charles Wentworth Dilke (1742/3–1826) a chief clerk in the paymaster branch of the Admiralty (and a literary critic).

In 1802 a commission of inquiry into the Navy's finances was appointed, following which suspicion arose as to the financial management of the Admiralty during Dundas's term as treasurer. The commission reported its findings in 1805, resulting in 1806 in the impeachment of Dundas, now Viscount Melville, for the misappropriation of public money. It found out in particular that Melville had not, as required, kept at the Bank of England official disbursements allocated to him though not yet spent. Since he refused to co-operate in showing where else they had gone, the focus of the investigation switched to his subordinate, Alexander Trotter, paymaster of the navy. Trotter eventually admitted to having drawn money from the bank and laid it out in investments of his own, a practice by no means uncommon among public servants at the time, if in this case expressly prohibited by law. Though it ended in an acquittal for Melville, and nothing more than formal negligence lay against him, he never again held office. This was the last impeachment trial ever held in the House of Lords. (ODNB)

HULTON, Ann Hall, of Hulton Park (1742-1802). Diary and household accounts in a bound volume (5 x 7 inches), the diary entries in Ann Hall Hulton's hand with 67 sides of manuscript entries, a few entries dating to 1778 and 1783, then continuous entries from 1789-1802, predominantly being notes of births, marriages and deaths, but also other entries including details of army commissions of her son Henry Hulton. Several entries are found relating to news from the Continent including:

    1793 "The horrid crime of Murther committed on the body of the King of France     Monday Jany ye 21" .

    1793 "July 29 Mr Nabb died the day the news arrived of the Surrender of Valenciennes to ye English".

    1793 "The  Imperial Queen of France was Murthered October ye 16 about half past Eleven Oclock in the Forenoon".

    "An account of the Preliminaries of Peace came to Preston October ye 9th. They were signed in London October ye 1st. Ratified at Preston October ye 12th the same illuminated on the 14th".

In reverse in the manuscript book 27 sides of manuscript household accounts in a different hand (probably a housekeeper) covering November 14th 1772 to January 11th 1773, with entries relating to members of the Hulton family, and some named suppliers. A healthy expenditure on wine (eg Mr Donets bill for wine £102) and on tea (eg For 1lb of Bohea Tea £10 ) are recorded, plus interesting entries such as on 28 November 1772: "Carriage of a Trunk from Calais to Marceills £37-15" [relevant to William Hulton's trip to France].

The manuscript book is bound in thin parchment over card covers, the parchment entirely torn away on one side. The contents are in good condition. About a third of the volume contains blank pages. PHOTO

£325

Ann Hall Hulton (1742-1802) was the daughter of John Hall of Droylsden, Lancashire and Catherine Kerfoot. She married in 1759 William Hulton (1739-1773) heir to the Hulton Park estate, Bolton, Lancashire. William died in France on January 1st 1773 and the household accounts provide clues of his presence there late in 1772 (at Marseilles), and it is unsurprising that the present accounts terminate on 11th January 1773. Three of their children Anne, William, and Henry survived into adulthood. Several informative entries are found in the diary relating to their son Henry Hulton shedding light on commissions in various militia units in Lancashire.

Ann's last entry in the diary is for May 18th 1802, and she died the following month and was buried on 28th June.

NOEL, Sir Gerard Henry Uctred G.C.B., K.C.M.G. (1845-1918), admiral RN. Autograph manuscript journal and miscellaneous notes entitled on the free endpaper“Journal ‘of the produce of science & art witnessed & observed by G: H: Noel”, comprising 50 sides of manuscript entries under subject headings (many blank pages) in a full leather binding (8 x 9 inches) with lock and key. Occasional pencil notes and sketches are inserted on loose scraps of paper. The main entry headings cover the following:

Manufactories: describing a visit in March 1871 to the Woolwich Arsenal, including an eye-witness description of “the building of a gun from beginning to end”.

Books & their authors: 13 sides with lists of titles, authors and date read (1865-1892), with later books read having a grading (F, G and VG).

Pictures: 16 sides describing pictures seen on trips at home and abroad in various picture galleries, including Bond Street, London; the Dulwich Gallery; the Doré Gallery; the National Gallery, the Royal Academy, Bethnal Green Museum, Windsor Castle; pictures in Glasgow and Edinburgh galleries; pictures and frescoes while in Lisbon, Cadiz, Granada and a long list in Seville; in Italy at Milan, Venice, Bologna, and upon his return pictures in Antwerp.

Music: 7 sides of lists of composers of opera and music (with dates, titles and styles) and critical descriptions with dates of visits to the opera in Malta, Lisbon, Gibraltar, Naples, in London at Drury Lane, Covent Garden, Albert Hall, at Plymouth, the Norwich Festival.

Sights worth seeing: 6 sides of notes of places visited in chronological order, the earliest entry to Killarney (1857), followed by many places in Britain and Europe, as well as places in other countries, including Madeira, Tenerife, Bermuda, Halifax, Jamaica, Havana, Panama, Japan, and Mauritius. The journal entries end in 1874.

Sports & Pastimes: short journal entries covering visits to the Derby, 1869; yacht racing at Cowes, 1869 (with printed Royal Yacht Squadron Regatta card 1878); and the Oxford-Cambridge boat race, 1871.

Binding scuffed, but the contents are in very good order. PHOTO

£200

Gerard Henry Uctred Noel was born in 1845 the son of Reverend Augustus William Noel (1816-1884) and Lucy Elizabeth Tonge. He entered the Royal Navy in 1859, serving as a midshipman in the Mediterranean and West Indies from 1859 to 1865. Promoted to lieutenant in 1866 he served on the China Station, and was appointed Gunnery Lieutenant serving in Channel Squadron in 1871. He served on the West Coast of Africa in 1873, and the following year was promoted to commander on the Detached Squadron, after which he served in the Royal Yacht, Victoria and Albert, and was promoted to captain in 1881. After several subsequent commissions he was appointed a junior Sea Lord in 1893 and was promoted to rear-admiral in 1896. In 1898 he was appointed second-in-command, Mediterranean, and was made Superintendent of Naval Reserves and commanded the Home Fleet from 1900 to 1903. He was promoted to vice-admiral in 1901 and was Commander-in-Chief, China, 1904 to 1906, and at the Nore from 1907 to 1908. He was promoted to admiral in 1905 and Admiral of the Fleet in 1908, retiring in 1915. (Details from National Maritime Museum).

ABOLITION OF AUDITORS OF THE IMPRESTS 1785

STUART, John, first marquess of Bute (1744–1814), diplomatist. Two autograph letters, signed Mountstuart to Sir William Musgrave, both 3 sides 4to, with old mount marks to verso.

The first letter Hallinbury 31^st May 1785, informing Sir William that he has an interview with Mr Pitt the following day, saying “I have perfect confidence in Mr. Pitts handsome intentions relative to the quantum of the compensation but which I entirely attribute to your friendly exertions.  I confess at the same time I dread the violence of the Chancellor; so much so, that I thought it a matter of prudence to use some endeavours to stop his mouth.  I have accordingly written to Lord Weymouth pressing him in the strongest manner to bring that about; and in order to have two strings to my Bow, I have prevailed with Lady Bute to make a point with Lord Gower to exert himself”, and suggests “An easier method that all this is to back the bill to the supply, as Lord Rockingham did in the case of the reforms of the Civil list; and then the Chancellor may growl and bellow as much as he pleases”. Pasted onto the blank foot of the letter is a supplementary note to Sir William dated ‘Wednesday [1^st June] auditor’s office ½ past four’ saying he urgently needs to see Sir William that afternoon. Both pieces are docketed as received 1^st June 1785.

The second letter headed and dated Auditor’s Office. 7^th June 1785, informing Sir William that “£7000 still remains the compensation of the Auditor.  Mr. Pitt behaved to me with great openness and civility; and appeared desirous of finding an excuse for agreeing to the original proposal.  I immediately produced the little scrap of paper I prepared yesterday at your house, which he approved of and put in his pocket.  I touched also on the opposition in the house of Lords; but he has entirely quieted my apprehensions by an assurance that he meant the bill to pass as Minister; nor should he look upon any alteration in the sum given to us, as the fair equivalent; he was pledged to stand by the bargain he had made ………..  I must tell you a good one of Lord Sondes who came with Mr. Pitt whilst I was there.  When the clause enacting the annuity should be paid clear of all deduction was talked of, Mr. Pitt said, certainly, for there are no outgoings in this, you pay no land tax – I replied no.  When we were in the street Lord Sondes frightened to death said my Lord we are in another scrape, you have assured Mr. Pitt we have no outgoings when we both pay the Land tax for our respective offices – meaning the houses we hire.” Docketed at the head of the letter “Recd. 7 June.  Answd. 8 June”. PHOTO

The two items £300

John Stuart, first marquess of Bute (1744–1814) was the eldest surviving child of John Stuart, third earl of Bute, prime minister, and his wife Mary Wortley Montagu, and was styled Lord Mount Stuart (or Mountstuart) from birth until his father's death in 1792. He was a Tory Member of Parliament for Bossiney from 1766 to 1776 and was subsequently elevated to the Peerage as Baron Cardiff, of Cardiff Castle, though he was still often known by his title of Lord Mountstuart. In 1781 he was appointed to the sinecure of Auditor of the Imprests alongside Lewis Watson, 1^st Baron Sondes. It was a profitable office of the Exchequer established in 1559, responsible for auditing the accounts of officers of the English crown to whom money was issued for government expenditure. During the American War of Independence, the government came under great pressure to ensure that its revenue was properly spent, which led to a number of acts abolishing many sinecures. This movement ended with the abolition of the Auditors of the Imprests in 1785 and their replacement by five Commissioners for Auditing the Public Accounts. These letters are written at the exact time of the abolition of the sinecure, and provide an insight into the process of compensation when Mountstuart was awarded the huge sum of £7,000.

Sir William Musgrave, sixth baronet (1735–1800), was an administrator, print collector, and antiquary. A notably effective customs commissioner, he became in 1785 one of the five members of the new Commission for Auditing the Public Accounts, taking over the duties of Mountstuart and Sondes who had allowed serious arrears to build up and were suppressed. The commission answered directly to William Pitt, who served as chancellor of the exchequer as well as first lord of the Treasury.

POLITICS IN THE JAMAICAN ASSEMBLY 1794

TAYLOR, Simon (c1765-1848), sugar tycoon of Jamaica. Duplicate letter signed to Stephen Fuller, 1 side, 4to, Kingston, Jamaica 13th December 1794, with address panel on integral blank bearing straight line JAMAICA stamp and Inland Office Bishop mark dated 18 March 1795. Informing Fuller that he had written to him by the last Packet "that the House of Assembly had chose Mr Robert Sewell the Agent" and that he should expect to receive from the Speaker a letter with the Vote of the House thanking him for his "long, faithful and meretorious service, which was carried N: C: and they have further voted you a Sum of £500 Guineas, to be paid out in any way you may think proper ........... By this you will perceive that it has not been from any dissatisfaction with your Conduct that they have not appointed you, but to prevent Mr.Edwards's Friends bringing in him, in case of any accident happening to you, and which they would have certainly attempted ......... He has not by any means added to his Popularity from his Southampton Attempt. And however People may be dissatisfied with Mr Pitts conduct, Every Man that has anything he can call his own by no means wish that the constitution should be overthrown nor England and the Colonies in the same state of Anarchy as France and her Colonies are in". Right hand margin frayed affecting text, and with piece of paper missing from integral blank where the seal was broken. The letter comes with a full typescript transcription. PHOTO

£275

Simon Taylor was born in Jamaica, the eldest son of Patrick Taylor, a merchant in Kingston, Jamaica. He became an attorney for absentee planters which brought in a substantial income enabling him to purchase many sugar plantations, and he played a significant role in Jamaican politics. Lady Maria Nugent, wife of the Governor of Jamaica, describes him in her Journal in 1806 as “...by much the richest proprietor in the island, and in the habit of accumulating money so as to make his nephew and heir one of the most wealthy subjects of His Majesty. In strong opposition to Government at present and violent in his language against the King’s Ministers, for their conduct towards Jamaica. He has great influence in the Assembly...”.

Taylor's correspondent Stephen Fuller was from 1764 English agent for the Jamaica Assembly and with his brother did much to further the Jamaica interest, being the author of several pamphlets, notably on slavery. This letter evidently relates to Robert Sewell being been voted onto the Assembly in place of Fuller, although other sources (see ODNB) suggest that Fuller remained on the Assembly until his death in 1799. Robert Sewell (1751-1828) was (from 1780) Attorney General of Jamaica and was a pro-slavery member of the Parliament. He returned to England in 1795 and became in 1796 member of parliament for Grampound. He spoke in the House of Commons on behalf of the West Indian Planters interest, and 1797 argued that it would be economically impossible to abolish slavery.

The reference to Mr Edwards refers to Bryan Edwards (1743–1800), planter and politician, and author of The History, Civil and Commercial, of the British Colonies in the West Indies, published in 1793. In his early years in Jamaica Edwards learned about the sugar plantation business and was made a partner in managing his uncle's large holdings, and became heavily involved in Jamaican politics. Edwards and his fellow planters engaged in debates and enacted legislation to protest against restrictions imposed on trade and shipping between the British West Indies and the United States, supporting reform of the Atlantic slave trade, but opposing its abolition. In 1792 he left Jamaica and settled in Southampton, becoming a highly successful West India merchant and the founder of a bank. (ODNB)

It was the practice, as in this case, for duplicate copies of transatlantic letters to be sent by different packets in case of shipwreck.

ARMADA YEAR 1588

[YELVERTON, Sir Christopher (1536/7–1612), judge and speaker of the House of Commons]. Indented vellum quitclaim document in a fine hand in English between Paul Streteley of Strixton, Northampton, and Christopher Yelverton of Easton Maudit, Northampton, in respect of land between Strixton and Bozeat parish, dated 15^th April, 30th year of the reign of Queen Elizabeth [1588], signed by Paul Streteley, 21 x 8 ½ inches, seal missing from tag, endorsed on the reverse with the signature of Richard Smith. PHOTO

£750

Paul Streteley owned Chibenhurst manor, Oxfordshire until 1562-3, and from this date appears to have acquired land in and around Strixton, Northamptonshire. Of special interest is the grantee of the land in this quitclaim Christopher Yelverton (1536/7–1612) who was born in Norfolk, was a wealthy lawyer, M.P., J.P., queen's serjeant, judge and speaker of the House of Commons, and was knighted by James I. Yelverton had four sons and eight daughters, and although he complained about the expense of providing for such a large family, he was very active in the purchase of land in his adopted county of Northamptonshire, spending over £5,000 on properties in his lifetime (ODNB).

The document is of interest in other respects, including its style with the opening line ‘To all open people’ rather than ‘To all Christian people’, and it was drawn up on the eve of the Spanish Armada, when in April 1588 the final preparations were being made for the Armada to sail – a blessing was made to the Armada banner on 25^th April, and a first attempt to sail took place on 28^th May from Lisbon.

PORTRAIT MINIATURES

INCLUDING  SILHOUETTES

BEECH / WHITE / MARSHALL family. A pair of cut silhouettes dating to c1830 with highlights applied in gold of a lady and gentleman, both mounted in matching frames (95 x 133 mm). On the reverse are labels which identify the lady as a member of the Beech family, and the couple as the grandparents of Emilie White who married Hubert Marshall. The pair £130 Details have not been found of a marriage between Hubert Marshall and Emilie White which have blocked further research into their ancestors and the connection with the Beech family.
BISH, Thomas (1751-1815). Painted silhouette of a gentleman on flat glass, over a plaster backing (chip to mid left side) in its contemporary ebonised frame measuring 8 x 10 inches (2 cracks through the wood and several chips to the moulding). On the reverse an old ink inscription reads 'T.Bish ae 22 - 1784' and more recent inscriptions read ' Born 1751 Died 1815 Dec 3d. ............. Father of Thomas Bish M.P. for Leominster Born May 5 1779. Died Dec 27 1842'. £350 Relatively little seems to be known about Thomas Bish, but his marriage to Elizabeth Markes (died 1823) is recorded in London in 1795, and he appears to have fathered at least three children, Thomas, Susanna and Elizabeth. He is undoubtedly best known as the father of his namesake Thomas Bish (1778-1842) MP for Leominster and, famously, the lottery-office entrepreneur immortalised in Thomas Hood's comic verse Ode to Thomas Bish, Esq.
ELLISTON, Robert William (1774–1831), actor and theatre manager. A late Georgian portrait miniature on ivory of a middle aged gentleman in a dark blue coat in a brass frame (2 x 2.5 inches) with integral loop, bearing on the glazed reverse an old typed label reading 'Mr Elliston (actor)'. Vertical crack on the very far left edge not affecting the figure, otherwise in excellent condition. £500 Robert William Elliston was born in London, the only son of Robert Elliston (d. 1799), a watchmaker. He was educated at St Paul's School, but stage-struck ran away from home and made his first appearance on the stage at Bath in 1791. Remaining in Bath (where his work was admired by Jane Austen) he married in 1796 Elizabeth Rundall (b. 1774/5), a dancing instructor, with whom he had ten children before she died in 1821. From 1804 to 1809 Elliston became a leading actor at Drury Lane, and afterwards entered theatre management, beginning with the Royal Circus in St George's Fields (1809-14); Manchester Theatre Royal (1809–10); he purchased Croydon (1810); leased Birmingham (1813–18); then Worcester and Shrewsbury (1815); he purchased the Olympic Pavilion in London (1813); leased Lynn (1817–18), Leicester, and Northampton (1818); Leamington (1817) (where he first met Charles Lamb); he became manager of Drury Lane in 1819; and leased Coventry (1821). Ill-health and misfortune culminated in his bankruptcy in 1826, when he made his last appearance at Drury Lane as Falstaff. As the lessee of the Surrey Theatre he acted almost up to his death in 1831, which was hastened by alcoholism. Leigh Hunt compared him favorably as an actor with David Garrick; Lord Byron thought him inimitable in high comedy; and Macready praised his versatility. (ODNB and Wikipedia).
NORTON, Ann. Portrait miniature on card circa 1780 of a lady with an indoor gathered lace bonnet (of dormeuse type) with pink bow, and wearing a lace edged bodice. Skin tones uneven in places, but no paint flaking. Mounted in a contemporary ebonised oval frame (118 x 103mm) with suspension loop. On the reverse on old paper is a contemporary handwritten inscription: "Miss Ann Norton of Stepney". The miniature has been glued on the reverse onto a cut down 18th century playing card (see photos). Not the work of a leading miniaturist, but a wonderfully evocative portrait of a lady of the 18th century Stepney / Spitalfieds community. £750 Ann Norton has not been positively identified, although 3 potential christening records are found in the IGI, the first christened 11 February 1738 at St Dunstan, Stepney, the daughter of Richard & Ann Norton; the second christened 4 July 1753 at St Dunstan-in-the-West, the daughter of Thomas & Susannah Norton; and the third christened 13 April 1757 at St Mary Whitechapel, Stepney, the daughter of Charles & Anne Norton. A marriage is recorded between Ann Norton and John Roberts 15 October 1782 at Spitalfields Christ Church, Stepney.
ORR, Patrick Esq. Cut silhouette on card of a gentleman with painted gold highlights, mounted in a contemporary hardwood frame measuring 138 x 159mm. On the paper backing is an old ink inscription reading "Patrick Orr Esq" and a pencil date of 1833. £150 This is almost certainly Patrick Orr (1773-1848) the second son of Patrick Orr (1746-1817) of Bridgeton, Kincardineshire. Patrick Orr junior married in 1814 Margaret Caroline, second daughter of Major Martin Lindsay of Kilconquhar, Fifeshire. He served as Sheriff-Clerk of Forfarshire from 1812-48, the same office held by his father.
SCOTT, Anne Elizabeth (née BROWNE). A fine late 18th century portrait miniature of a lady painted on ivory (the wafer slightly bowed) set in a gold pendant frame (circa 2.25 x 3 inches) with encased plaited hair. Pasted on the glass panel on the reverse is a piece of paper with an inscription reading 'Anne Elizabeth Browne daughter of  - Browne Banker of Rotterdam - Married Thos Scott Esq of Norwich". With some crazing to the paint of her blue dress on the right shoulder, but otherwise good. £500 Anne Elizabeth Browne was christened 7 February 1748 at the English Presbyterian church, Rotterdam, Netherlands, the daughter of banker Thomas Browne (b.1725 or 1726) and Mary. Anne married Thomas Scott (1733-1816) on 30 August 1767 at the English Presbyterian church, Rotterdam, and birth records of their children (at least 9) indicate that they had settled in Norwich by 1768. Anne died on 6th January 1819. There is a monument dedicated to Thomas and Anne and their daughter Anne (1770-1837) in St Andrews Church, Norwich.

DAGUERREOTYPES, AMBROTYPES
& FAMILY PHOTOGRAPH ALBUMS

CONDER, Edward (1829-1910) of Terry Bank and family. Small archive of 14 photographic and silhouette portraits relating to the Conder  family comprising the following items: 1. A 1/6th plate tinted daguerreotype of a gentleman in a passe-partout mount. A few mould spots under the glass and a rub mark above the sitters head, but otherwise in good condition. On the reverse is a pencil inscription reading 'E.Conder 1854'. [Edward Conder senior] 2. A 1/6th plate tinted ambrotype of a man, woman and baby, mounted in a brass matte and preserver, all in good condition. The man is clearly identifiable as the same gentleman as in the daguerreotype. [Edward & Susanna Conder and child] 3. A 1/6th plate ambrotype of a woman with a girl and boy in a horse drawn carriage with driver and attendant, in a grubby half case, the plate with an emulsion blemish across the attendant's head. This is a later style ambrotype probably of the 1870s. 4. A 1/4 plate tinted ambrotype of a man with a girl on his knee, in a passe-partout mount. The plate has some discolouration to the background around the edges. 5. A 1/4 plate tinted ambrotype of a woman and a girl, mounted in a frame with a brass window aperture and brass preserver. The lower left corner of the glass plate is cracked. On the reverse is a small trade label of the photographer C. Taylor of 73 Cross Street, Islington, and an old ink  inscription reads: 'My Mother’s sister Mrs Hawes & her daughter in Australia 1866.' [Deborah Hawes née Kitton and daughter] 6.  A cabinet card of man in Tudor costume, by photographer J.F.Sutcliffe of Burton, Westmoreland, & Kirby Lonsdale. On the reverse is an old ink inscription “Edward Conder in fancy dress for the Ball at Underly K.L. 1877.” [Edward Conder senior] 7. A cabinet card of lady in Tudor costume, by photographer J.F.Sutcliffe of Burton, Westmoreland, & Kirby Lonsdale. On the reverse is an old ink inscription “My mother in the Fancy Dress for the Ball at Underly 1877”, and in pencil "My Mother age 44". [Susanna Conder née Kitton] 8. A cabinet card of an older gentleman with a young man and boy, by photographer J. Bennett & sons, of 8 Broad Street, Worcester & Church Street, Malvern. [Edward Conder senior, Edward Conder jr and son Edward] 9. A cabinet sized photograph on card of a man, woman and boy, inscribed on the reverse Winchester, July, and with a stamped date AUG 1904. [Edward & Bertha Conder and son Edward]] 10. A cut silhouette on card of a bearded gentleman facing right, with the details of the silhouettist Handrup, 290 Oxford Street, London, blind embossed on the card, and with full details printed on the reverse. The card measures 3.5 x 5.5 inches. [Edward Conder senior] 11. A cut silhouette on card of a half length bearded gentleman facing right, in a simple black frame accommodating the card which measures 3.5 x 5.5 inches. [Edward Conder senior] 12. A cut silhouette on card of a bearded gentleman facing left, identical to item 10 but reversed, also bearing Handrup's embossed details. It comes in a simple black frame accommodating the card which measures 3.5 x 5.5 inches. On the reverse is an old inscription reading "Edward Conder". [Edward Conder senior] 13. A cut silhouette on card of a lady in a hat facing left, also bearing Handrup's embossed details. It comes in a simple black frame accommodating the card which measures 3.5 x 5.5 inches. The upper left corner has an old water stain. [Susanna Conder née Kitton] 14. A painted silhouette on card of a lady wearing an indoor bonnet, in a style dating to circa 1800. The card measures about 4.5 x 7 inches, and the portrait shows an oval discoloured 'shadow' from having once been framed. The collection £375 Edward Conder (1829-1910) J.P. of Terry Bank, Westmorland, the subject of the daguerreotype and other portraits in this archive was the son of Richard and Alice Conder of  Dent, Yorkshire. He married Susanna in 1856, the elder daughter of Henry and Susannah Kitton of Ringstead Norfolk. The Kitton's other daughter Deborah, whose ambrotype is in this collection, married a veterinary surgeon by the name of Hawes and settled in Australia. Edward Conder pursued a career as a merchant and later as a builder, based in London, Essex, and later in Herefordshire. They had a daughter (Alice Susanna born 1857) and a son Edward (born 1861). Their son Edward married Bertha Helen Louisa Williams in 1887 and settled in Romford, Essex, where their son Edward was born in 1888 (all three feature in photo number 9). Edward Conder junior's autobiographical notes, his journals and family photographs are in the Essex Record Office.
EMIGRATED TO AUSTRALIA ON S.S.GREAT BRITAIN CROMPTON, William P. (b.1837). Half plate ambrotype portrait of a gentleman, seated, wearing the Crimea Medal (no bar), in a passe-partout mount (8 x 6.5 inches) within a plain gilt wood frame. The reverse of the mounted plate is backed with newspaper dated 1856 onto which is pasted the printed trade label of Edward Easterby Massey’s photographic studio, with the address 14 High Holburn in manuscript. Over the label is pasted a newspaper cutting reading: “MARRIAGE On 9th instant, by special license, at St James' Church, Sydney, by the Rev. Robert Allwood, B.A., Mr W. P. Crompton, of Pyrmont, son of the late Robert Crompton, Esq., surgeon, Munslow, Salop, to Mary Anne, only daughter of John Benson, Esq., Castlereagh-street, Sydney” with a handwritten date Febry 1858. £250 William P. Crompton was born in 1837, the son of Robert Crompton, surgeon and apothecary of Munslow, Shropshire. William served in the Crimean War and is confirmed on the medal roll as a Dispenser of Medicines (medal issued without bar). His Crimea Medal together with this ambrotype were sold at auction in 2006 by Dix, Noonan & Webb (Ex Col. D.G.B. Riddick Collection) but were subsequently split up. In 1857 William Crompton emigrated to Australia, sailing on board the S.S. Great Britain. As detailed in the cutting he married Mary Anne Benson in Sydney in 1858, and by 1866 records indicate that he was a pawnbroker found at 83 Crown Street, a property owned by his father in law John Benson. In 1871 William was convicted and fined for a transaction with a minor in breach of the Pawnbrokers Act
DUNN, Thomas Russell M.D., C.M. (c1804-1866), Royal Navy surgeon, and Inspector-General of Hospitals & Fleets. A quarter plate daguerreotype of a middle aged man in naval coat, seated by a table. On the table are 2 volumes of a book entitled on the spine Watson on Principles and Practice of Physic - Third Edition, and three other books entitled Paulus Aegineta. The plate is sealed and in excellent condition, and is mounted in a full (rather worn) leather case. On the reverse of the plate on the paper seals is a pencil inscription reading "Dr Dunn R.N." £900 Thomas Russell Dunn was born in Scotland about 1805 and at an early age entered the Royal Navy. One of the earliest references to his career is contained in an article in the New York Times of June 17th 1917, which under the title Napoleon's last days described in hitherto unpublished diary contains extracts from a surviving diary of Dunn compiled when his ship HMS Beaver visited St Helena in 1821. His name is found in the Navy List of 1824 as Assistant Surgeon, and he went on to take his medical degree at the University of Glasgow, graduating in 1828 (he was later to obtain his C.M. in surgery in 1860 from the same University). In 1835 he was surgeon on HMS Waverley. On 26th September 1842 Dunn married Janet Johnston in Glasgow, and on 25th May 1843 their only child Margaret Wingate Dunn was born. Dunn's name was immortalized in the naming of Dunns Nook on Vancouver Island, following his visit there in 1846 aboard HMS Fisgard.  The National Archives hold his medical and surgical journals while attached to HMS Queen for 1 October 1849 to 31 December 1850, which at the time was employed in the Mediterranean. In the 1850s Dunn was promoted as Deputy Inspector-General of Hospitals and Fleets, and in 1859 was additionally appointed an Honorary Surgeon to Her Majesty Queen Victoria. Dunn later attained the position of Inspector-General of Hospitals and Fleets, and in retirement died on September 18th 1866 at his home at Dunallan House, Bridge of Allan, Stirlingshire. The two sets of books in the photograph have publication dates of 1847 and 1848, so the daguerreotype probably dates to about 1849-1850. Dunn's daughter Margaret Wingate Dunn married into the Platt family, other members of whom became related by marriage to the family of General Sir John Alexander Ewart (1821-1904). She died in 1896 in Brighton, Sussex.
WIFE & CHILD OF INVENTOR ALEXANDER PARKES PARKES, Mary Ann (1835-1919) with baby Patience. A sixth plate ambrotype of a mother and baby, the top of the emulsion plate with cracks, mounted in a gilt card matte and brass preserver. On the reverse is a pencil inscription "Patience Milly J. Parkes taken when 8 weeks old. M.A.Parkes. Novr. 27th 1856". £150 Mary Ann Parkes née Roderick was born in Pembury, Carmarthenshire, and became the second wife of the chemist and inventor Alexander Parkes (1813-1819) of Birmingham. Alexander Parkes' first wife Jane Henshall Moore (by whom he had four sons and two daughters) died in 1850, and in 1854 he married Mary Ann Roderick. Their first child Patience Mary Anne Jane Parkes (who features in the ambrotype) was born in 1855 (not 1856) and Mary Ann bore him a further 10 children. Patience Parkes never married, and died in Lewisham, London in 1942. In 1856, the year after this photograph was taken, Alexander Parkes patented 'Parkesine', the first man-made plastic.
THWAITES, William Henry (1837-1923). A tinted 1/4 plate ambrotype of a young man in a passe-partout mount, on the reverse identified in an ink inscription as William Henry Thwaites (1837-1923) "as a young man, probably in his twenties". The plate is in good condition, but has dust trapped under the cover glass. The paper edge seal is worn in part. £120 William Henry Thwaites was one of at least four children of Adam Thwaites a brewer and Sophia Amelia née Beckington of Newcastle upon Tyne. William is listed as a bookseller in Newcastle upon Tyne in the 1871 and 1881 census returns and in 1891 as a Weslyan Home Mission preacher in Wells, Norfolk. He married Florence Redman in 1881 by whom he had at least two children (Henry and Florence).
WARWICK, William Deeping (1843-1913). A fine 1/4 plate ambrotype of a boy and a gentleman (seated) before a wall in a garden,  under an oval cut mount in an attractive bird's eye maple frame with suspension loop. On the reverse of the frame is an ink inscription reading "William Deeping Warwick and his Tutor James Collins. Wavertree 1854", and the trade label of the picture framer J.Crossley of Newark, on which is written the name "G.M.Beaumont Sept 1944" SOLD William Deeping Warwick was born in Newark in 1843, the eldest son of Richard Warwick and Sarah Robinson née Bousfield. His father, initially a banking clerk later entered the brewing business and founded the famous Newark brewery Warwicks & Richardsons, which his son William Deeping joined in adulthood. William Deeping Warwick married Emily Sarah Branston in 1868 and settled later at Balderton Hall where they raised their children, and remained to the end of their lives. This photograph is interesting for carrying quite an early date of 1854, the method of wet-collodion negatives on glass having been invented by Frederick Scott Archer in 1851, which he developed the following year to produce positive images. It is also interesting for being taken outdoors.

MEDALS

EGYPT 1882-1889 - LONG SERVICE & GOOD CONDUCT GROUP.  Group of 3 medals comprising 1. Egypt Medal 1882-1889 correctly engraved on rim 3002  L/SERGT. J.HUMPHRIES M.S.CORPS. with Suakin 1885 clasp; 2. Khedives Star 1884-6; 3. Long Service and Good Conduct Medal correctly engraved on the rim  3002  L/SERGT. J.H.HUMPHRIES M.S.C. Both the silver medals with contact marks, mainly in the field. Mounted on a modern bar suspender. The group comes with copies of Humphries' papers (9 pages). £550 John Henry Humphries was born in 1851 in Winterbourne Monkton, Swindon, Wiltshire, one of at least three sons of Joseph and Sarah Humphries. He joined the 4th Battalion of the 60th Royal Rifles in 1870, giving his profession as a labourer. In 1872 he was transferred to the Army Hospital Corps and in the following year was posted to Nova Scotia, where he married Mary Jane Redmond on 23 February 1877 at Halifax. He returned to England in 1880 and in 1885 was posted to Egypt, where he served for just four months. By the time of his discharge in 1904 Humphries was a Staff Sergeant in the Royal Army Medical Corps (13th Company) based in Edinburgh. These medals were sold in Christies Sale 4853 in 1992 alongside those of Humphries' brothers Assistant Staff Sergeant S.G.Humphries, RAMC, and Staff Sergeant and Assistant Quartermaster Sergeant J.W.Humphries, RAMC.
BRITISH ASSOCIATION OF GAS MANAGERS. THE PRESIDENTS PRIZE 1873 [to William Hosgood Young WEBBER]. Silver medal, the obverse in frosted silver with convex cover glass (tarnished under glass around edges); the reverse scene in polished silver marked Baddeley Bros London; and the edge engraved "Awarded to W.H.Y.WEBBER for his paper read June 30 1887". 60mm. plus suspension loop. EF. A very rare medal. £300 William Hosgood Young Webber (1853-1923) was a civil engineer and engineering journalist, best known within the gas industry. Born in Teignmouth, Devon, he married Sarah Snow Goodridge in 1877 in St Austell, Cornwall, who bore him three children, Caroline, William and Dorothea. In his career he moved with his family to settle around London, at Camberwell (1881 census) and Teddington (1901 census), and died in St Austell, Cornwall in 1923. He held the post of Instructor and Lecturer of the Gas Light & Coke Company, London, and published numerous papers and books including: The Science and Practice of Lighting 1892; Town Gas and Its Uses 1907: Gas Supply in Principles and Practice 1914: and Gas and gas making 1918.
MOURNING  / MEMENTOS
CRANMER, James and Esther Maria. Two gold mourning bands. The first with black and white enamel inlay named JAMES CRANMER ESQ: OB: 5 JUNE 1801 AE: 82. 18ct gold, London hallmark 1801. Inner diameter 17mm (size N). In extremely fine condition. The second with black enamel inlay named Mrs ESTHER MARIA CRANMER DIED 17 JAN 1819 AGED 58. 18ct gold, London hallmark 1818. Inner diameter 18mm (size P). In extremely fine condition. £1,000 James Cranmer (1719-1801) and Esther Maria Cranmer (1761-1819) were brother and sister, the children of James Cranmer (d.1752) of Mitcham, Surrey. The family claimed descent from Thomas Cranmer, Archbishop of Canterbury, but genealogical research has not substantiated the connection. According to the Victoria County History the manor of Mitcham Canon, formerly part of the possessions of the priory of St Mary Overy, was purchased by Robert Cranmer in 1656, and passed on his death in 1665 to his son John. John's son James inherited the property in 1705, and upon his death in 1752 it passed to his son James, and in 1801 to his sister Esther Maria, (wife of Capt Richard Dixon) for life, with remainder to her son the Rev Richard Dixon, who took the name Cranmer in obedience to his uncle's will. Esther Maria Cranmer married Captain Richard Dixon of His Majesty's 85th Regiment of Foot, Richmond, on 20 June 1782 at St Peter and St Paul, Mitcham. A significant number of Cranmer family papers are preserved in the Surrey History Centre archives (details available on-line).
EDKINS, Thomas. A small oblong mourning brooch (17 x 11mm) featuring a central crystal cover over strands of hair surrounded by a border of seed pearls within a gold mount. On the reverse is a pin and catch and an engraved inscription reading Thos. Edkins died 5 June 1825 aged 46. In excellent condition. Click on photo for further views. £60 Thomas Edkins born circa 1779 and died 5th June 1825.
SHARRER, John. Gold mourning ring (21mm external diameter) with raised lettering against a black enamelled field JOHN SHARRER : OB 8 OCT: 1765  AET: 50. On the inner surface is a maker's stamp SI or ST. In fine condition. £600 John Sharrer (1715-1765) was a successful silk-thrower of Little Ayliffe Street, Goodmans Field, Whitechapel, London. He and his wife Susanna had at least three children – Susanna (b.1745); Esther (b.1749) and Elizabeth (b.1754). This ring establishes his date and year of death as October 8th 1765 which is lacking in all the sources investigated. In 1753 Sharrer extended his business by setting up a silk-throwing mill in Sherbourne, Dorset, into which he brought his two nephews George Ward and William Willmott as partners in 1764. In 1765, the year of his death, Sharrer gave evidence to a parliamentary enquiry into silk manufacturing, stating that his silk-throwing trade employed 500 hands in London, 200 in Gloucestershire, 400 in Dorset, and 400 in Cheshire.