Object Description
This pair of originally crested trencher salts were made in London in 1710 by Thomas Ash and they measure 3 1/16 inches by 2 6/16 inches and are 1 inch tall, lovely original crest to the front and they weigh 4.45 ounces or 139 grams, a very nice pair of early salts.
The Crest of the Family of Fortescue
The crest as engraved upon this Pair of Queen Anne English Britannia Silver
Trencher Salts by Thomas Ash hallmarked London 1710 is that of the family of
Fortescue. It may be blazoned as follows:
Crest: An heraldic tiger statant argent armed maned and tufted or
Given the date of manufacture this pair of trencher salts they were in all probability in
the possession of Hugh Fortescue (born 2nd June 1665 died December 1719), of
Filleigh and Weare Giffard Hall in the County of Devon and of Ebrington Manor in
the County of Gloucestershire. Hugh was the eldest son of Arthur Fortescue, of
Penwarne, Mevagissey in the County of Cornwall and of Filleigh aforesaid and his
wife, Barbara Elford.
1
He was returned as a Member of Parliament in the House of
Commons seven times for the following constituencies: Tregony (1689 and 17012
),
Grampound (1695), Truro (1698), Mitchell3
(1705 and 1708) and Lostwithiel (1710).
He appeared to be not too active in the chamber of the House of Commons being
jailed for absence on two occasions and as well as for several non-attendances.
Hugh married twice, firstly to Bridget Boscawen (died 1708) on the 19th October
1692. She was the daughter and eventual heiress of Hugh Boscowen, of Tregothnan
in the County of Cornwall and his wife, Margaret Clinton, a daughter of Theophilus
1 Barbara was the daughter of John Elford, of Sheepstor, Co. Devon.
2 There were two elections that year and Hugh was returned as the MP for Tregony on both occasions).
3 This constituency was also known as St Michael.
2
Clinton, the 4th Earl of Lincoln, and one of the co-heiresses of the Barony of Clinton.
Some time after Bridget’s death in 1708, Hugh married secondly, Lucy Aylmer in
1713.
4
She was the second daughter of daughter of Matthew Aylmer, the 1st Baron
Aylmer and wife, Sarah Ellis.5
Hugh was the ancestor of the Earls Fortescue. His grandson, another Hugh was
created Earl Fortescue and Viscount Ebrington within the Peerage of Great Britain on
the 1st September 1789. Prior to this Hugh had succeeded as the 3rd Baron
Fortescue, of Castle Hill in the County of Devon6
upon the death of his father,
Matthew Fortescue, the 2nd Baron Fortescue on the 10th July 1785.