Summary
Gents pocket watch, gold pair case, Thomas Mudge & William Dutton, London, no 943, circa 1770. Outer case carries the London hallmark for 1798.
The watch was the property of Derwas Owen Jones, who arrived in the Lightning with his brother Henry (Harry) Jones in 1842. Their father owned the Bank of Shrewsbury. The brothers initially cleared land near Kilmore to breed sheep, then moved to South Australia and established Binnum Station, north of Naracoorte. The 'Binnum Run', lease no.162 of 1851, was held by H.& D.O. Jones. A third brother, Heighway Jones (1817-1876), joined the brothers in 1847 and founded Kybybolite Station. Derwas Owen Jones returned to England subsequently, and lived at Pontesford House, Pontesford, Shropshire.
Physical Description
18 carat gold pair case, the inner one being pierced with a leaf design. Plain gold hands. A repeater mechanism sounds the hours and quarters one to four. Back plate is ornate. White enamel dial has black roman numerals and gold hands. Key wound spring; cylinder escapement. Fusee and chain; winding dial. Steel balance wheel, ornate brass cock and diamond end jewel.
Significance
The watch was the property of Derwas Owen Jones, who arrived in the Lightning with his brother Henry (Harry) Jones in 1842. Their father owned the Bank of Shrewsbury. The brothers initially cleared land near Kilmore to breed sheep, then moved to South Australia and established Binnum Station, north of Naracoorte. The 'Binnum Run', lease no. 162 of 1851, was held by H. and D.O. Jones. A third brother, Heighway Jones (1817-1876), joined the brothers in 1847 and founded Kybybolite Station.
Derwas Owen Jones returned to England subsequently, and lived at Pontesford House, Pontesford, Shropshire. There is a photograph of Mr Derwas Jones taken, at Pontesford House; he is wearing a chain but the fob attached to the chain is not clear. The photograph is held by the State Library of Victoria (H10700) and a photocopy is in the Supplementary File.
The photograph and others copied in the Supp. file are part of the Cumming Album of views, owned by Derwas Jones or his family members.
More Information
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Collecting Areas
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Acquisition Information
Donation from Miss Laura Cumming, 15 Nov 1939
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Maker
Mr Thomas Mudge, London, Middlesex, England, Great Britain, circa 1770
Watch dated by use of Mudge & Dutton watch numbers and dates in Antiquarian Horology, vol.12, 1981, pp.627-634; vol.13, 1981, pp.144-145. -
Maker
Mr William Dutton, London, Middlesex, England, Great Britain, circa 1770
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Past Owner
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Inscriptions
Works cover is marked 'Tho. Mudge, W. Dutton, London'. Dial marked 'Tho. Mudge, W. Dutton, London, 943'. Outer case has hallmark of crowned 18, crowned leopard's head and c [1798].
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Classification
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Category
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Discipline
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Type of item
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Overall Dimensions
2.3 cm (Depth), 4.8 cm (Outside Diameter)
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Exhibition Collection Management
860 mm (Length), 75 mm (Width), 25 mm (Height)
overall length includes chain, dimensions to the case only (closed) are W: 80mm x D: 35
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References
There is a photograph of Mr Derwas Jonestaken, supposedly c.1900, but probably during the 1860s, in the door of a house that may be in England; he is wearing a chain but the fob attached to the chain is not clear. The photograph is held by the State Library of Victoria (H10700) and a photocopy is in the Supplementary File. The photograph and others copied in the Supp. file are part of the Cumming Album of views, perhaps taken by Derwas Jones or his family members. There is probably a connection with the donor of the watch.
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Keywords
Gents Watches, Immigration, Key Watches, Pocket Watches, Horology
