| Larger dies. These [three] are by the same issuer, the die-sinker having evidently had to cut a second obverse die in consequence of his error in spelling the name in the first instance. The issuer of this token belonged to a family of importance and position in the town, but I have been unable to discover what trade he followed. The bull's head on the obverse is the crest of the Baynhams, who bear Gul. a chevron arg. between two bull's heads in chief caboshed or, and one in base arg. The names of John Baynham and his brother Anthony appear as two of the free burgesses to a form of election of a master to the Free Grammar School, dated June 27, 1661.--Duncumb's "Collections towards the History and Antiquities of the County of Hereford," 1812, vol. ii., pp. 77-8. In the chancel of Bromyard Church is a marble tablet, with the arms of the family and the following inscription: "In this chancel were interred the bodies of John Baynham, Esquier, June 4, 1636, aged 70. Elizabeth, his wife, Feby 12, 1655, aged 66. Edward Baynham, oldest son and heire, Jann 10, 1652, aged 42. Mary, his wife, June 16, 1650, aged [?]0. John Baynham: [the issuer of this token] 6 : son, May 24, 1671, aged 52. Frances, his wife: July 10, 1683. Anthony Baynham, died Janua 23, '98." John Baynham, gent., was assessed for 11 fire-hearths in Bromyard, 18 Charles II., 1666. Hearth-money was a tax established by 13 and 14 Car. II., c. 10, whereby a hereditary revenue of 2s. for every hearth or chimney in all houses paying church and poor rates was granted to the King. It was abolished upon the Revolution by the 1 W. and M., st. 1, c. 10. |
