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Post by Daniel Silk on Aug 3, 2009 13:17:29 GMT
Many thanks to Dom Vincent of Garth Vincent Antique Arms & Armour, based in Lincolnshire for letting me post up these amazing photos of a Blunderbuss made by Robert Silke ;D They said guns by Robert of John Silke are pretty rare, but it would great to own a piece by them ;D so I think I will keep an eye out on their website - www.guns.uk.comHopefully something a little cheaper too!  ;D     |
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fitzy
New Member
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Post by fitzy on Jan 6, 2019 3:24:02 GMT
These are wonderful photographs. Thank you so much. Do you think the source of these photos would give me permission to include them in a family history book I am compiling for my own family? It's a private project ie not commercial. A New Zealander, I am a descendant of Robert Silke and his first wife Martha Harbrough...(his second wife was Mary Dowse nee Gregory). They are my 8th great-grandparents.
Could someone who is also following this family confirm the relationship between gunmakers John and Robert Silke - were they brothers rather than cousins? It feels like they are brothers but I'm not sure.
Robert and Martha Silke's daughter Martha married Hon. Richard Henry Lee III. They have an interesting story if anyone is interested in investigating... Richard was American (from Virginia) and a tobacco merchant who spent time in London where he met Martha. Richard is part of the wider "Robert E. Lee" family of great renown. They accumulated great wealth judging by Martha's will.
Robert and Martha Silke's son Tobias is my direct ancestor ... he wasn't wealthy!!! He was apprenticed to ironmonger Jacob Brent (from Freedom of City document) but I haven't found any references to him that would make me think he reached the great heights of his father. Presumably the apprenticeship would have given Tobias a means to work in the family business.
Finally, has anyone managed to get hold of a copy of the book "Trade Guns of the Hudson's Bay Company 1670-1970" - S. James Gooding? I see there is one on sale at E-Bay... I would imagine the Silkes would be mentioned in this but to what extent? If anyone has a copy could they let me know if it is worth purchasing. Not so cheap by the time I do the currency conversion but if it is recommended I'll seriously consider it.
Thanks very much. And a happy New Year to you all.
Leonie
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;D
