Object Details
From:NHerts
Name/TitleReceipt from Samuel Prudden to Charles Wilshere
About this objectReceipt for works carried out by Samuel Prudden Iron Founder and Smith and paid for by Charles Wilshere. The receipt relates to work carried out between May and October 1846. The price of £2.13.0 was paid on 19 July 1847. The handwriting of the overall piece appears to be a close match the signature, suggesting it was Samuel Prudden himself whose handwriting is on this document.
Samuel Prudden was from a metalworking family who turned their hands to many metal trades. Trade directories of 1794 list James Prudden, a whitesmith, as resident in Hitchin. In 1823 James Prudden is listed as gun & pistol maker & whitesmith & bellhanger operating out of Bucklersbury. By 1832 James Prudden is replaced by George & Samuel Prudden who operate out of Bucklersbury as whitesmith, general smith & gunsmiths.
At the time the directory was made in 1839 the Pruddens had split their business, with George operating from Bucklersbury as whitesmith, iron founder & gunsmith and Samuel as a whitesmith & stove & range maker operating from Cock Street (modern day High Street).
In 1846 George Prudden now operating from Marketplace, is listed as gunmaker & smith. By 1853 George is operating as whitesmith and bellhanger from Marketplace and Samuel an Iron & brass founder and whitesmith, operating out of Cock Street.
George Prudden no longer appears in directories after this time. Samuel appears once more in 1862 operating as an ironmonger, gasfitter and general smith from Marketplace.
MakerPrudden, S.
Maker RoleIssuer
MakerPrudden, S.
Maker RoleAuthor
Date Made1846-1847
Period19th Century (1801-1900)
Medium and MaterialsOrganic| Paper
Measurements200 x 213 mm
Named CollectionNorth Hertfordshire Museum
Object Typereceipt
Object number1381/3
Copyright LicenceAll rights reserved