Gadsden

The Gadsden Desk Stand

We became interested in the Gadsden family when a pewter pen and ink desk set presented to "J Gadsden and wife" by "The Weston Turville Cottage Garden Society" in March 1900 appeared for sale on eBay.

This would appear to be Jeffrey and Edith Gadsden who lived in Home Farm with their children.

Bucks Herald 10 March 1900

PRESENTATION. - Before the announcement of the allotment lecture, on Monday evening, a very pleasing event took place. The Committee of the Garden Allotment Society, who had long felt that they would like to show their thanks in some tangible way to Mr. J. Gadsden for his incessant kindness and help towards the annual Flower Show, made an appeal to the members of the Society for subscriptions towards purchasing some little present for him. Needless to say, this was readily responded to, and Messrs. E. Edwards and G. Sharp were appointed to purchase something useful as well as ornamental. The choice fell upon a handsome silver-plated inkstand, with cut glass wells (supplied by Mr. Sharp, jeweller, of Wendover), bearing the inscription Presented to J.Gadsden, Esq., by the members of the Weston Turville Cottage Garden Society, March, 1900." By wish of the Committee, of whom Mr. R. G. D. White was secretary, the presentation was made by the Rev. J. Ellam, the rector, who, before doing so, gave a resumé of the progress of the flower show and the great assistance which had been given by Mr. J. Gadsden towards its unqualified success. He said Mr. Gadsden had not only given them his field, his substance, and his house, but had also given them himself. and no one could give more. In fact, whatever he took in hand was carried out with the greatest ability and energy, and was hound to be a success. He was gratified to find this was altogether a spontaneous movement on the part of the members of the Society. The Rector then made the presentation. Mr. J. Gadsden, on rising, was greeted with applause. He said he thanked the members of the Society from the bottom of his heart. He should value the present not altogether from its intrinsic worth, but because he was glad to find that the help which he had readily given was so much appreciated. He should endeavour to do in the future as he had done for them in the past. He hoped the inkstand would be passed on to his son, Master T. Gadsden, to be handed down as a heirloom. Mr. Gadsden then left amid cheers. At the instance of Mr. W. H. Gurney a vote of thanks was given to the Rector for making the presentation.

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Jeffrey was unable to enjoy the desk set for very long, as he died aged 45 on 18th November the same year.

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There are photographs of Gadsdens in 19 June 1943 Illustrated Magazine and they are mentioned twice in the Halton Exhibition Catalogue (1868).