Notes & Queries
Notes and Queries is published by CADHAS twice a year, in Spring and Autumn, and is distributed free to members. The purpose of Notes & Queries is to give the Society’s members a place and opportunity to log their own research and findings related to the history of Campden and District.
The Local History Room volunteers provide help to enquirers with their own researches. This often results in an interesting exchange of information and it may be that you can contribute to this process and help.
We also have frequently asked questions:
Another token
John Wilkinson was one of the leading ironmasters of the Industrial Revolution and like other manufacturers in that period he issued tokens in the 1780’s and 90’s to make up for the shortage of coins of the realm in small denominations. They were generally accepted by shops, public houses and turnpike toll gates.
This halfpenny coin was issued in 1792 and has an image of John Wilkinson on one side with a figure of Vulcan seated at an anvil on the reverse.
Here is an extract from a contemporary song:
So Wilkinson, from this example Gives himself a matchless sample Which shows his modesty and sense And how and where, he made his pence.
Then let each jolly fellow take hold of his glass And drink to the health of his friend and his lass: May we always have plenty of stingo and pence, And Wilkinson’s fame blaze a thousand years hence.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is that red ruin you can see over the wall near the Alms Houses? Click here
What does Nondum Metam mean? Click here
What is the origin and meaning of Chipping? Click here
What are the coloured coats of arms on that post you can see in the High St? Click here
What is the dip in the ground opposite the Almshouses? Click here
Token of Lord Camden
We were pleased to get an answer to our query about the Camden Token from Tim Clough, Rutland Local History and Record Society, who pointed out that the token could not be depicting Lord Gainsborough:
If he succeeded to the earldom in 1759, surely he would have been referred to as Lord Gainsborough, not Lord Camden. Secondly, the portrait, which appears to be a genuine likeness judging from the quality of the detail, depicts a bewigged man surely in middle age or at least considerably more advanced in years than the 30-year-old Lord G, as he would have been in 1773.
The answer is Charles Pratt, 1st Earl Camden (not ‘of’ Camden). He was Lord Chancellor (hence the wig!), and there are several portraits of him on the National Portrait Gallery website. And there is an example of the medallion, now sold, described as an electoral medallion, on www.abccoinsandtokens.com.
Ah well – it was a good try, to claim the token as local! Thank you, Tim.