17th Century Tokens : Hungerford in Berkshire

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Click Images to View Coin Details Hungerford Of the tokens issued in Hungerford, one is a halfpenny, and four are farthings. The name of the town is spelt by the issuers as follows: 3 times HVNGERFORD 1 time HUNGERFORD 1 time HVNGER FORD The Rev. J. P. Anstice, Vicar of Hungerford, has kindly furnished me with extracts from the Parish Register. Specimens of the Hungerford tokens are rarely met with. W35: Berkshire, Hungerford (Farthing): (Date Unknown) O  The Tallow Chandlers' Arms IOHN BVTLER R  I E B IN HVNGERFORD I E B Image not available John Butler was churchwarden in 1651. No one of the name now in Hungerford except a labouror. W36: Berkshire, Hungerford (Farthing): (Date Unknown) O  A rose IOHN LVCAS R  I L IN HVNGERFORD I L Image not available This was a brother of Jehosaphat Lucas [See notes under TIMOTHIE LVCAS token.] He was an uncompromising Royalist, and was engaged in Penruddock's rising in Salisbury in 1665. He was taken and beheaded the same year, behaving himself with the greatest stedfastness and courage. This token, which has no date, must have been issued prior to the year 1665. W37: Berkshire, Hungerford (Farthing): (Date Unknown) O  Three cloves TIMOTHIE LVCVS R  T F L IN HVNGERFORD T F L Image not available The following are extracts from the Parish Register: "Timothy Lucas, churchwarden, 1650. "Timothy Lucas, Senior, Gentleman, buried Octer 3, 1668. "Timothy Lucas, buried Jany 18th, 1676." The following notes respecting the Hungerford Horns may be of interest here: In a large chest, with three locks, is preserved an ancient bugle horn, said to have been given by John of Gaunt, when he granted the right of fishery. It is of brass, about 18 inches in length; on one side is the following mutilated termination of an inscription in black letter: Actel; on the other side, the word Hungerford. In the Town Hall is another horn of brass of more modern date, of the same size and shape, which is blown annually on the second Tuesday after Easter a the Hocktide Court, to call the tenants of the manor together. It has the following inscription, in the common Roman Letter, with the date 1634: JOHN A GAUNT DID GIVE AND GRANT THE REALL OF FISHING TO HUNGERFORD TOWNE FROM ELDREN STUB TO IRISH STIL EXCEPTING SOM SEVERAL MIL POUND. JEHOSPHAT LUCAS WAS CONSTABLE. W38: Berkshire, Hungerford (Farthing): (Date Unknown) O  A chandler IOSEPH SARE R  I S IN HVNGER FORD I S Image not available There is an entry in the Parish Register that "Thomas Sayer the Hatter" was buried June 24, 1693. Mr. Walter Money, F.S.A., informs me there were several families of this name, but the Joseph Sayer was Rector of Newbury from 1663 to 1675. Francis Sayer, his father was Rector of Yattendon. The Vicar of Hungerford writes: "There is no one of this name now in Hungerford."

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