Thomas Jones (b. 1750?), Butcher and Publican of Wrexham, aged 46
John Walters of Denbigh (fl.1791 - 1796)
Category
Art / Oil paintings
Date
1796
Materials
Oil on canvas on a wood frame
Measurements
1118 x 1092 mm (44 x 43 in)
Order this imageCollection
Erddig, Wrexham
NT 1151286
Summary
Oil painting on canvas, Thomas Jones (b. 1750?), Butcher and Publican of Wrexham, aged 46 by John Walters of Denbigh (Welsh, fl. 1791-6), 1796, inscribed with verses, on scroll in centre foreground. He is standing, full-length - aged 46 in 1796 - in the street outside his shop. This is the only one in the series which does not represent a direct employee of the estate. The published version of the poem states, what this picture shows - ie. he kept 'a Butcher's Stall, and the Royal Oak Public-house, at Wrexham'.
Provenance
Commissioned by Philip Yorke I (1743 - 1804) and thence by descent;given by Philip Yorke III (1905 – 1978) along with the estate, house and contents to the National Trust in 1973
Credit line
Erddig, The Yorke Collection (National Trust)
Marks and inscriptions
Recto: With verses, on scroll in centre foreground: In nature's chain, a double link / For Tom provides both meat and drink / Moreover was a stout freeholder / Which makes his rather cock his shoulder: / In voting matter had connections, / And roared loudly at elections, / "Sir Wa... in ever, none shall touch her / And might have made a Borough-butcher * / But that he scorn'd such rotten places, / And only join'd in County cases. / Tom in his figure not emaciate, / Is rather somewhat calefaciate / But honest; active in his calling / Ner ever given to forestalling / In trade, as proper, is a winner, / And tho a Publican, no Sinner. *a Borough broker, one to deals........... Dated: 1796
Makers and roles
John Walters of Denbigh (fl.1791 - 1796), artist
References
Yorke, 1802: Crude-ditties by PhilipYorke, 1802 Steegman 1957 John Steegman, A Survey of Portraits in Welsh Houses, Vol.I: North Wales, Cardiff, 1957, pp.97-98 Waterson, 1980: Merlin Waterson, The Servants' Hall. A Domestic History of Erddig, Routledge & Kegan 1980, p. 78 & fig. 47 Erddig, Clwyd: 1995 [The National Trust] 1995, p.41-42, illus p.42