SOLD

Muslin Stock
c 1780

John Knight of Wolverley, Lea Castle, Simonsbath , Exmoor. b. 1765 Cookley. d 1850 Rome. Front worn at his wedding.

In the history of Knight family it states: John Kinight born in 1740 had the pioneering spirit of his grandfather, though his business acumen proved ultimately less successful. He married Henrietta Cunymgham. In the year 1815 the Royal Forest of Exmoor had been enclosed and in 1818, 10,000 acres of it were purchased by John Knight for £50,000; by 1820 his holding had increased to 15,000 acres. He and his wife moved to the Castle Inn at Lynton, from whence he proceeeded to devlop the wild moorland into productive farmland. The story of this achievement has been told by C S Orwin, in a book published in 1929 entitled The Reclamation of Exmoor Forest

The only house on the estate had been enclosed with a little land in 1659, and had become the Forester's house, and an inn; it was called Simonsbath. John Knight laid out its 12 acres as a village, with a church, which became recognised as a partish in 1856. To the dismay of the South Molton Stag Hunt, Knight enclosed his 15,000 acres in a stone wall. He then built 22 miles of metalled roads for the public use, and encouraged others to do the same. He experimented to find the right types of stock for that country. Shorthorns and Devon cattle and Merino sheep. Dongola Arab horses were imported and crossed with Cleveland coach horses and Exmoor ponies, with very succesful results. The Simonsbath stud throve for many years. It was during these years of experiment that a family dispute occured, when John Knight was not considered the heir to the family estate. He took the case to court, lost and retired to Rome, where his wife died in 1841. He lived there until his death in 1850, his eldest son having succeeded him at Simonsbath. More information on the family history available.

The stock was secured by a metal stock buckle to the long and rounded end,to the back of the neck where it could be adjusted.

See: Baumgarten, Linda & Watson, John with Carr, Florine Costume Close-up. Clothing Construction and Pattern 1750-1790 p112 section 24.

Cataloguing

STOCK : of fine ivory muslin tightly gathered into two linen end sections, one rectangular with four buttonholes, 18 1/2 in; 48 cm a hand written label in ink, attached John Knight of Wolverley , Lea Castle, Simonsbath, Exmoor. Born Cookley 1765. Died in Rome 1850. Front worn at his wedding

and a

SCARF of ivory ribbed silk, the ends with a change to a thicker weave with fringes, 44 x12 1/2in;112 x 33 cm w

together with waistcoat and shirt TO BE SOLD TOGETHER

Condition

STOCK: A little discoloured in places. I am sure a conservator could make this look as new.

SCARF Very good apart from two small marks. Photos available.