2019/97

This frock coat was made in the 19th century for William Christmas Mann, a Master Mariner (also known as a captain in today's terms) based in Norfolk. Mann wore these items during his career, having owned his own brig collier ship with which he traded coal between the north east of England and London. He is recorded as having carried up to 250 tonnes of coal at any one time. It is thought that this frock coat and the waistcoat, shirt and trousers donated with it were purchased by William Mann's brother Lewis Mann of Bullard King Co, who traded between India and South Africa during the 19th century.

1 Frock coat

Museum Object Entry Form - 'MUSEUM NAME: Museum of English Rural Life // Form No: 503 // Received from [...] // DESCRIPTION OF OBJECT/COLLECTION // 2 x Frock coats // 2 x trousers // 2 x waistcoats // 2 x starch shirts // Owned and worn by the donor's great grandfather William Christmas Mann, Master Mariner. // Shirts possibly bought by W. Man's brother Lewis mann, Bullard King Co who traded between India and South Africa. // Total no. of items: 8 // REASON FOR ENTRY // Gift // [...]', Email, John Mann to Madeleine Ding, 3 May 2019 - 'Dear Madeleine, // I tried without success to donate these items to Norfolk Museums. Unfortunately, despite me contacting them on several occasions, they did not show any interest in the items offered. // As I mentioned I would be pleased to bring them along at a convenient date for you to examine. // Best regards // John'., Email, Madeleine Ding to John Mann, 2 May 2019 - 'Dear John // I have spoken to my colleagues about your potential donation of coats, etc worn by your great grandfather. Thank you for the detailed information about the clothing and the photo! We are interested in the items but just want to check that you have offered them to local museums before we consider acquiring them. Are you able to ask Norfolk Museums (museums@norfolk.gov.uk) if they are interested? We don’t want to take away the opportunity for the garments to stay in the local area. // If you have asked them and they declined your offer, we would be interested in acquiring the items of clothing. Please let me know what you decide and then we can make arrangements to deliver/collect the items. // Best wishes // Madeleine', Email, John Mann to Madeleine Ding, 16 April 2019 - 'Dear Madeleine // Thank you for your note. // I believe the coats etc, were as worn by my great grandfather William Christmas Mann. He was born in Cley, Norfolk in 1838, and went on to become a Master Mariner in due time having his own brig collier ship. He traded mainly between the north east of England and the London river with up to 250 tons of coal. In later life he retired to Cley and worked with his son in the building trade until he died in 1913. // Here is a photo of him in his prime (about 1875). I have a number of maritime artefacts concerned with his time at sea. // As I live close by I would be happy to bring these things along. // Yours sincerely // John'., Email, Madeleine Ding to John Mann, 15 April 2019 - 'Dear John // Thank you for your offer of two Victorian frock coats, two starched fronted shirts and two waistcoats. They sound interesting but we need to know a bit more about them before we consider any new acquisitions. // Do you have any photographs of the items? You say they were made for your great grandfather – where did he live? What was his job? Did he live in the countryside or in a rural context? When was he alive? // Unfortunately, we cannot accept everything that is offered to the museum as we are limited by space and artefacts must fit into our collections policy. // Thank you for thinking of the museum. // Best wishes // Madeleine', Email, John Mann to the MERL, 15 April 2019 - 'First Name: John // Last Name: Mann // Please check this box to consent to the use of your name and email address for the sole purpose of communications concerning this collections enquiry: Checked // Size of Collection: 6 // Collection type(s) and brief description: two Victorian frock coats, two Victorian, starched fronted shirts, Two waistcoats // Materials: wool and cotton // Do you consider this item(s) to be in good condition?: Yes // Please provide as much information as possible about the item(s) condition: Have been worn but good condition // Dates of production: Made in Victorian times for my great grandfather // Period of use: Victorian times // Place of production: Norfolk // Name of manufacturer: Not known // How did you come to acquire the item(s)?: Handed down through family // Who owned the item(s) prior to yourself? (if relevant): Not applicable.'

Norfolk

1858-01-01 - 1899-12-31

Nineteenth century

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