Simon, you give a date of 1793 - is that inscribed on the badge?
You say it might be related to a trade - can you expand on this - have you one in mind or what makes you think it is "trade" related.
Do you know who the snuff box belonged to - what was his trade?
The snuff box belonged to James Hill. He was born in Scotland about 1775, married in Midlothian in 1803 and his first son was born in North Shields in 1804. They and their descendants continued living south of the border and by the time of the 1841 and 1851 census, he was described as a silk weaver.
However, on the silver ring round the top of the snuff box (see below) it has engraved on it "James Hill Baker N.Shields 1793". This could have been a 21st birthday present or, as I had thought, some award for completing an apprenticeship. The answer probably lies in the badge.
I would probably think that it IS trade related Simon,
the top most bit in between the two circles [that looks like a tower] is actually a WINDMILL!!!
I could click on the image before, when you attached it to the site, but as the image allowed is only very small [in kb] to save strain on our server it is always much better to post any image via a hosting site such as Photobucket or Imageshack.
Julie They're coming to take me away haha hee hee..........
The windmill between the ears of corn certainly suggest it might be baking related. A crown as well ? Wonder whether there were any guilds which were bakery related ?
Simon
"You've got to ask yourself one question. Do I feel lucky ? " (Dirty Harry) - Be lucky; the facts are out there somewhere
The snuff box belonged to James Hill. He was born in Scotland about 1775 ...
However, on the silver ring round the top of the snuff box (see below) it has engraved on it "James Hill Baker N.Shields 1793". This could have been a 21st birthday present or, as I had thought, some award for completing an apprenticeship.
If it belongs to James Hill born c1775 then he would have been about 18 years of age when he received it - so maybe connected to completing an apprenticeship.
However, are you sure it was awarded to him ... was his father James Hill as well?
Thanks Julie. I have sent an email to the Honorary Archivist at The Worshipful Company of Bakers to see if they know.
Did you read on their website about the Bakers Court in the City of London : "Apart from minor infringements, the penalties for more serious offences were on the first occasion for the offender to be dragged on a hurdle through the dirtiest streets of the City with the faulty loaf hanging from his neck. For the second offence he was pilloried for an hour, and if he broke the law a third time, his oven was pulled down and he had to forswear baking for evermore." Those were the days !
Simon
"You've got to ask yourself one question. Do I feel lucky ? " (Dirty Harry) - Be lucky; the facts are out there somewhere
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