Object number
2015/2/1-2
Creator
Description
This is a large oak chest or coffer with decorative guilloche border complete with a modern key fitting a lock added to the chest in the late-twentieth century. The chest has been marked twice (possibly branded) with the name 'W. SAVORY' and is thought to have belonged to William Savory, a doctor who had a rural practice in Brightwalton, where it may have been used to store personal items or papers. There were several Williams in the family line and it may therefore have belonged to one or more of them. The best-known William Savory from this family was the son of a wheelwright and, as a young man, was apprenticed to an apothecary in Newbury. He later moved to London where he attended Guy's Hospital and St Thomas' Hospital to study surgery, medicine, and midwifery. After a period practicing as a surgeon in Newbury he suffered bankruptcy and returned to Brightwalton where he ended his career as a rural doctor and purchased a farm. The chest has been passed down through the family line.
Physical description
Large oak chest with with panelled front, sides and lid. Some aspects feature decorative guilloche border [2015/2/1]; two small steel keys with paper address labels wrapped round both shafts, one of which reads 'CHEST' in red ink. The keys are linked by way of a metal and black plastic keyring with the logo of the 'Durham City Philatelic Society' [2015/2/2]
Archival history
Museum Object Entry Form – ‘Museum Name: MUSEUM OF ENGLISH RURAL LIFE // Received from: ROSEMARY WILLIAMS // Address: ... // Tel No: ... // Owner (if different): // Address: // Tel No: // Description of Object/Collection: 2 x PICTURES BELIEVED TO BE OF THE MEDIC WILLIAM SAVOURY [sic: Savory]. RESCUED FROM BETWEEN SPRINGS AND MATTRESS OF A BED. HE HAS THE CHARACTERISTIC AUBURN HAIR ASSOCIATED WITH THE FAMILY LINE. // 1 x OAK COFFER BEARING HIS NAME + KEY // 1 x CARRIERS BOOK (1857 -) BELONGING TO THOMAS FAMILY IN THICKET LECKHAMPSTEAD (ROSEMARY'S MOTHER WAS A THOMAS) // 1 x GLASS INKWELL. REPUTED TO BE WILLIAM SAVORY'S // ROSEMARY'S AUNT ELLA MARY SAVOURY ('GODDARD') INHERITED GOODARD'S FARM IN LECKHAMPSTEAD IN LATE 1920s HAVING PREVIOUSLY LIVED AT THE DOCTOR'S HOUSE IN BRIGHTWALTON. SHE WAS THE DAUGHTER OF THE LAST WILLIAM SAVOURY. THEY MOVED BECAUSE THE FAMILY FELL ON HARD TIMES (REASONS UNKNOWN). HER MARRIED NAME WAS FORD. // MISC PHOTOS OF THOMAS FAMILY (CARRIERS) + OF LECHMAPSTEAD 1911 CORONATION GATHERING // Reason for Entry: Donation Signed R. Williams 16-07-15 // Additional Agreement (Donations/Sales Only): Owner Signed R. Williams 16-07-15 // Museum Signatory: Signed Oliver Douglas 16/07/15
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