Alison,
I did a Google search for "purse of gold" and "address" and came up
with quite a few returns for those terms. They are all associated with some sort of
commemoration upon retirement.
It looks as though the "address" is often described as an "illuminated
address" (i.e. illustrated) - perhaps what we would today call a certificate or
testimonial. It could have been encased in a leather or wood holder, with some words of
appreciation, and signed by various people.
If you search
www.images.google.com for "illuminated address" you will get
images of many beautifully decorated presentation certificates. If you search regular
google.com and look for "illuminated address" you will get plenty of results,
but will have to overlook the ones related to lighted house numbers! There are a lot of
addresses housed in archives, or of course, kept as family treasures.
It is clear that presentations for service often included money (purse of gold), and an
illuminated address. Being "subscribed for" most likely meant that the men paid
for it themselves - perhaps taking up a collection to do so.
That was a very informative search; something I would never have done if you hadn't
sent your email. You learn something new every day!
Kathy
Orlando, Florida
Alison <alison(a)skippers.org.uk> wrote: My great-great grandfather, David DAVIES
(c1824-1896), was an Overman for
thirty years, at various pits owned by the Tredegar Company. These included
Whitworth, No. 8, Ash Tree, Bedwellty and Darren Level. According to his
obituary, when he retired in 1892, he was presented with "a purse of gold
and an address subscribed for by the workmen generally".
Can anyone tell me what the purse of gold and address are likely to have
been please? I am also keen to find out more about the Tredegar Company and
the pits where David Davies worked.
Thank you for your help.
Alison
Malvern, UK
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