Henry Chawner
1764 - 1851
Henry Chawner became a freeman of the Goldsmiths’ Company on 7 December 1785 and entered his first mark as a plateworker on 11 November 1786. On 2 March 1789, he married Miss Hore, daughter and heiress of Edward Hore, of Esher, Surrey. He entered into partnership with John Emes in 1796 and from about 1798 seems to have retired from silversmithing (he married well!) He seems to have had financial input into John Emes’ firm and then the Barnard Family. His hallmark is often seen on finely made teaware. Chawner retired to the Manor House, Newton Valance, which, with the surrounding estate, he had purchased in 1810. He is said to have: “converted the old house into domestic offices and added thereto a villa, in the Grecian style. It contains a large collection of paintings and other works of art, amongst which is the Angouleme China vase, mounted in ormolu… The same that was rejected by George IV for whom it was ordered, in consequence of a small fire flaw which came in the burning.” Chawner died there in March, 1851.