Remembering the Silversmithing Community at Mary Parsons Charity Service
Published: 13th January 2023
Trustees left to right: Emma Paragreen, Brett Payne, Chris Hudson, Keith Tyssen, and Chairman Ashley Carson beneath the plaque in Sheffield Cathedral dedicated to John and the Mary Parsons.
In 1817, a lady called Mary Parsons left a bequest in her will for the amount of £1,500 - in those days a considerable amount - to benefit old, infirm and poor Sheffield silversmiths. This generous gesture was made in memory of her brother John, who was one of the earliest Sheffield platers and silversmiths in Sheffield.
The service was officiated by Canon Geoffrey Harbord who kindly offered to remember Mary and John Parsons and the Silversmithing history of the City, its inventors and crafts people in his sermon and in prayers on the 27th December.
Attending the service was Chairman and Assay Master, Mr Ashley Carson and Trustees, Brett Payne, Keith Tyssen and Emma Paragreen, Chairman of the Sheffield Assay Office Charles Turner and Company member of the Worshipful Company of Pewterers Chris Hudson, along with representatives of the trade and beneficiaries.
Assay Master, Ashley Carson who has been the Chairman of the Mary Parsons Charity since 1993 comments:
“I am really grateful to Sheffield Cathedral for giving profile of this unique Charity, remembering John and Mary Parsons and the Silversmiths and metalworkers of the City of Sheffield in the The Feast of St John the Evangelist service. I especially want to thank Cannon Geoffrey Harbord for his excellent sermon”
Beneficiaries of the Mary Parsons Charity received their cheques after the service and tea, coffee and mince pies were served.
If you would like to find out more about the charity more information is available on our website.
Our sincere thanks also go to Averil Shepherd from Calendar Customs for joining us and archiving this event.
In the meantime anyone wishing to make a donation for 2023, cheques should be made payable to 'Mary Parsons Charity' and sent to:
Sheffield Assay Office,
Guardians' Hall,
Beulah Road,
Hillsborough,
Sheffield,
S6 2AN
The Sheffield Assay Office was established in 1773, under an Act of Parliament and today the company assays and hallmarks the precious metals - silver, gold, platinum and palladium. Sheffield Assay Office is one of only four UK assay offices who all work to uphold the Hallmarking Act of 1973 and continue to ensure consumer protection for customers purchasing precious metals.
To find out more about the whole range of services offered by Sheffield Assay Office, such as our hallmarking and analytical services, please email us at info@assayoffice.co.uk or complete the contact form on our website at http://www.assayoffice.co.uk/contact-us,
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