Hidden story

A surprising request uncovered some interesting family history. Robert Morgan tells the tale of the unexpected

- Robert Morgan

It’s always interesting when a tangible link to the past occurs. At a recent Holts auction view, I was approached by a gentleman who wished to view a Joseph Manton tube lock fowling-piece we had in the sale.

He was at pains to point out that he had no intention of buying the item but that the gun had a family connection, so I happily found the piece and showed it to him. I also removed the barrel when I was requested to do so and the gentleman immediately pointed to the tiny initials that had been concealed up to that point.

Now I knew that those letters ‘W.F.’ were the initials of William Fullerd, Joseph Manton’s favoured barrel-maker; what I didn’t know was that I was speaking to William Fullerd’s great-great-great-great grandson.

It transpired that Mr. Fullerd (or Fullard as it was now spelt) had been researching his family tree and found that one of his ancestors was the barrel-maker William Fullerd of 56-57 Compton Street, Clerkenwell, London.