Page:Devon and Cornwall Queries Vol 9 1917.djvu/190

146 Devon and Cornwall Notes and Queries. That there must have been at one time an important colony of pewterers in Bristol seems beyond doubt, for in Mr. Welch's History of the Worshipful Company of Pewterers of London, one finds in 1728-9 the following : — "Many complaints were again received at this time of the bad quality of pewter made at Bristol, especially guinea basons, but the Company hesitated to exercise their authority by sending a deputation to hold a search so far from London." (The italics are mine). That some of these Bristol and West-country pewterers used the word " London " and " made in London " on their wares is proved by reference to Plate i, where the word " London " is included in the touch of Burgum and Catcott, who we know to have been a Bristol firm. This again is referred to in the same work as follows : — " 1 740- 1. A committee reported on 24th September that nothing could be done to prevent country pew- terers from striking 'London' and ' made in London ' on their wares, without application to Parliament." Much information should be available amongst the old Guild records of Bristol, if any such are in existence, and I commend this suggestion to some keen local antiquary who may have the necessary time at his disposal. Possibly also in Cornwall one might look for records of pewterers in the Stannaries districts, as also at Barnstaple and Exeter, for further information concerning Devonshire pewterers. The following further names of West-country pewterers (with Bristol) and the illustrations of their marks Avhere known, may act as a stimulus to others in possession of pieces bearing unrecorded local marks (or touches as they were technically called), to furnish me with rubbings of the same for inclusion in my larger work referred to above, and on which I have been engaged for many years. Good sketches or rubbings, both for preference, are of great service, but poor sketches are not of so much use as poor rubbings. The marks of Sampson Hodge, Kerslake, Sanmel Lee and John Webber, junr., on the plates which follow are made from poor sketches which, had they been accompanied by the poorest of rubbings, would at least have enabled me to vouch for their being as correct as an unskilful penman has endeavoured to make the remainder.