Wilford Archive

Richard Mason - Naughty boy made good!

The Ivory Gavel given to the Company by Richard Mason in 1675

An ivory gavel, 8 inches long weight 13ozs. The gavel head is inscribed: “THE GIFT OF RICHARD MASON DRAP’R.SECOND TIME MASTER OF THE COMPANY OF MERCHANT TAYLORS. ANNO. DOM. 1675”

Excerpt from a 1668 court record mentioning a dispute in a company meeting, involving Richard Mason, Jack Straker, Tho. Jack Straker, and Tho. Pitiful Curr, with fines of 40 shillings mentioned.
A wooden gavel with a cylindrical head and handle, commonly used by judges or in auctions.
A handwritten historical list of names and dates from the 1600s.

The Rolls of Masters records Richard Mason as Master in 1659 & 1675

Close-up of old handwritten legal document with ornate cursive script, mentioning Richard Nelson and mentioning a shot or shot gun.

GAW - April 2025

A historical handwritten list with names and years: Christopher Deytie in 1674, Richard Mason in 1675, Thomas Spence in 1676.

 A snapshot from the Court Minute Book 1675-6 when Richard Mason was the Master