A George III gold and enamel mounted memorial walking cane

A George III gold and enamel mounted memorial walking cane,

maker's mark I.H, incuse, probably for John Harvey, London 1773,

the tapering handle with engraved foliate decoration, the terminal enamelled with a monogram 'TJL', within an enamelled border of names, ' HANH. FULLER OB. 10 MAY 1758 AET 40' and 'ELIZ. CRISP OB. 14 AUG 1752 AET 84', the base of the mount with an enamelled collar with names 'JOHN WARD L.L.D. OB 17 OCT 1758, AE 79', and 'THOS. WATSON ESQ, OB 20 SEPT. 1769, AE 83', tapering malacca shaft with a pierced oval ring hole and brass ferrule, length 108.4cm.

The TJL relates to Thomas Llewelyn, a wealthy gentleman, who married Mary Stead. Her sister Hannah married a Fuller, and as the cane says: died in 1758. Mary and Hannah were the daughters of James Watson. Their uncle was Thomas Watson, who again is mentioned on the cane. Thomas Llewelyn was executor of Elizabeth Crisps Will, after her death in 1752.

John Ward, fits exactly with that of John Ward of Gresham College. In his will there are details of a trust that was set up for the support of Students, William Stead is mentioned as a Trustee, as well as Thomas Llewelyn. He was desired by the rest of the Trustees 'to receive Dividends and to pay Moneys in the name of the Trust'.