Retired solicitor Robert Manning, of Diss, Norfolk, England, learned
that a branch of Barclays Bank in Terrington St. Clements, Norfolk was closing.
Knowing that his ancestors lived in Terrington St. Clements, Mr. Manning checked
with the bank to see if it had any securities that might have belonged to his
family. To his amazement, the bank said it had a heavy box in storage, which
had been deposited by Louisa Upwood, one of his ancestors, in 1889.
Mr. Manning provided documentation to prove that he was the rightful
heir to the property. Once the bank was satisfied with his documentation of
descent, the box was delivered to Mr. Manning. Upon opening it, he found many
pieces of family silver.
Further checks revealed that the silver had been found to be missing
in 1929 when a former family home–Lovell's Hall in Terrington St Clements–and its contents were sold. The silver collection is thought to have been
started in 1688 when another ancestor, Thorowgood Upwood, acquired Lovell's
Hall.
A number of items from the hoard went on sale at Tattersalls in
Newmarket, Suffolk, where collectors purchased them. The few items sold for
a grand total of more than £8,000 (approximately $13,000 in U.S. funds). An
18th century Queen Anne coffee urn fetched £4,000, and a set of George IV candlesticks
with silver plated candelabra branches sold for £3,500.
Mr. Manning said: "We haven't sold all the items found in
the box–some will remain in the family. We sold some of the more interesting
items and some that we thought would be difficult to maintain. I certainly didn't
want to spend my time polishing candlesticks and candelabra. Those sort of items
would be better off on show or in a collection."
The Manning family is indeed fortunate to have recovered this
family treasure, thanks to one family member’s genealogical efforts.
Dick Eastman Online
