Edward Twycross

Edward Twycross (1803–1852) was a Dublin silversmith, solicitor, and author who published a book, "The Mansions of England and Wales" in 1847. This book is used as a historical reference for the stately homes of England and in tracing genealogies of members of the British Aristocracy.

This rare book [1] was published in 5 volumes covered in quarter moroocco gilt, with the volumes being released from 1846 to 1850. They included entries on: County of Cornwall, The County Palatine of Lancaster, The County Palatine of Chester

Contents of volumes

The County of Cornwall was published in a separate folio and included a fold out map of the county.

Volume 1 : The county palatine of Lancaster, Northern division, the hundreds of Blackburn and Leyland.

Volume 2 : The county palatine of Lancaster, Northern division, the hundreds of Lonsdale and Amounderness.

Volume 3 : The county palatine of Lancaster, Southern division, the hundreds of West Derby and Salford.

Volume 4 : The county palatine of Chester, containing the hundreds of Broxton, Wirrall, Eddisbury, and Northwich.

Volume 5 : The county palatine of Chester, containing the hundreds of Nantwich, Bucklow, and Macclesfield.

The volumes are illustrated throughout with 110 tinted lithograph plates of the mansions described in each chapter. These were mostly done by C.J Greenwood from his original drawings.

Distribution of Volumes

It was thought that Edward intended on publishing volumes on other counties. Only 52 sets of the 5 volume books were printed. The New York Public Library owns a copy that was from the original Astor Library. [2] Some of the volumes have been broken up and single copies of the hand coloured lithographs are sold by dealers. Single volumes occasionally appear at auction houses but they are extremely rare.

Hollinshead Hall, a manor house in Lancashire and Thomas de Trafford a baronet thought to be descended from King Edward were subjects included in the book.

Witton House is another example of a manor house that was included in the volumes . It was originally built in 1800 by a member of the Feilden family, Henry. The family had been lords of the manor of Witton for many years and due to years of land acquisition became the largest landowners in Blackburn. The house was described by Edward Twycross in his work, ' The Mansions of England and Wales,' as: ' a very elegant stone edifice in the Grecian style. It is constructed of cream coloured freestone, richly veined, and has in the centre of its eastern front a splendid portico, supported by columns of the Doric order. The principal apartments, which are of noble proportions, are enriched by several paintings by the best modern masters. the situation of the house is particularly fine; it stands on a rising ground in the midst of rich plantations, and commands some splendid views, affording every variety of scenery.[3]

Early life

Edward was born in Dublin Ireland. He was the 3rd son of John Twycross, Dublin goldsmith and jeweller. It is difficult to trace the ancestry of people in Ireland because many records were destroyed in Dublin and other locations in the Civil War of the early 1920s.

However, as referenced, Edward Twycross was admitted to Trinity College, Dublin on 18 October 1819 age 16; and is listed as the son of John, Aurarius ( goldsmith ); born in Dublin, graduating in 1824 Spring commencements with a B.A. Vern, and in 1832 as a Master of the Arts. The age links him to Edward’s Death certificate and the degree to the 1851 Census entry, both found in London, England. So, the three references refer to the same man. In the Admission Papers to King's Inn, Dublin is an entry "Twycross, Edward, 3rd son of John, Dublin jeweller and Sarah Clarke. Ed. York Street, Dublin". King's Inn, Dublin was an Inn of Court for lawyers. This accords well with his occupation as solicitor. York Street was in the parish of St Andrew’s, Dublin.

Edward’s older brother, John (1796–1868) also graduated with a BA from Trinity College, Dublin, in 1818. As did his younger brother Edward he went on to distinguish himself academically, earning an MA and becoming a theologian . In 1861 Christopher Wordsworth published : "A plain introduction to the criticism of the New Testament 1861... in the original Greek: With Notes by C. Wordsworth. With an Index to the Introductions and Notes, by John Twycross [5]. 2 Vols." [4] The Rev. John Twycross, of the Charter House, re-collated the whole manuscript in 1858 .[5]

The death of Rev. John Twycross MA Dublin aged 72 is recorded in The Gentleman's magazine, Volume 224 1868 p2

Silversmith

Earlier in his life, Edward worked as a silversmith in Dublin, his silver hallmark being " TWY+ ".[6][7] Edward crafted fine Irish Sterling silver in his father's retail shop in Dublin. John Twycross and Son, Goldsmiths,[8] are listed at 69 Dame Street in Dublin City directories from 1815,1819, 1822, 1824 and 1829. An earlier additional address of the retail business was 14 Fownes Street, Dublin (1806–1818). John Twycross was at one time a Master of the Dublin Goldsmiths Company and became Silversmith to Her Majesty and The Lord Lieutenant.[9] Edward also worked with silversmith Edward Power and they sometimes used the same hallmark. [10] The original building still exists and is the present day location of the Mermaid Cafe [11] close by to Trinity College.

Notes

  1. ↑ Notes and Queries, Harvard College Library, 1893.
  2. ↑ The mansions of England and Wales, illustrated in a series of views of the principal seats with historical and topographical descriptions / by Edward Twycross. Twycross, Edward. London : Ackermann & Co., 1847 pp 374–376
  3. ↑ Cotton Town, Blackburn with Darwen. Witton House at the Wayback Machine (archived 25 October 2007)
  4. ↑ A plain introduction to the criticism of the New Testament 1861... in the original Greek: With Notes by C. Wordsworth. With an Index to the Introductions and Notes, by John Twycross [5]. 2 Vols
  5. ↑ The Rev. John Twycross, of the Charter House, re-collated the whole manuscript in 1858 pp201
  6. ↑ Edward Twycross, Dublin Silver Makers' Marks
  7. ↑ Irish Sterling Silver Sugar Tong, Dublin , Marks of Edward Twycross and Laurence Keary.1823
  8. ↑ The Gentleman and Citizen's Almanac, 1815 Harvard College Library
  9. ↑ A Set 6 Rare Irish William IV Sterling Silver Rat Tail Dessert Spoons Dublin 1829 & 1836
  10. ↑ A George IV Irish Silver Mug, Edward Power, Dublin.
  11. ↑ The Mermaid Cafe

References

Harvard University Library :M.A. November 1832. ( Dublin University Alumni ).pp 575 ""

The Patrician, Volume 2 edited by John Burke, Sir Bernard Burke, 1896, Google Books ""

American Book Prices, 1904,Google Books ""

Engravings of Cheshire ""

Ashfield Hall. ( Neston, Cheshire), The Seat of John Winder Lyon Winder, ESQ. ""

Antique silver wine cooler ""

The Lancashire library: a bibliographical account of books on topography 1875, pp 70–73 ""

John Moss of Otterspool (1782-1858): Railway Pioneer Slave Owner Banker by Graham Trust: Pg 7, Otterspool House

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