Forums Forums Wirral History : Chasing the Past History Information Request History behind a walking stick.

I've looked for various spellings of Dene/Deene, Chester, same result, very little on offer. It wouldn't have Chester if it was elsewhere in the country, I feel certain of that.
The problem around that period of time, writing and spelling was poor. The carver may not have been familiar with how Dene was spelt or that's how it looked if his instructions were badly written.

Whichever way its spelt, it should show up in records or on maps, strange that it doesn't. Perhaps it will eventually, live in hope.

I think it's Masonic. Following two quotes with links , seems to give some sort of explanation.

Masons such as Jabez Wilson (REDH) or John Hector McFarlane (NORW) might have had one a three-sided Masonic cane among their collection.

http://www.jadedcompass.com/ocular_helmsman/attire/canes.html

EIGHT - 8

Among the Pythagoreans the number eight was esteemed as the first cube, being formed by the continued multiplication of 2 by 2 by 2, and signified friendship, prudence, counsel, and justice; and, as the cube or reduplication of the first even number, it was made to refer to the primitive law of nature, which supposes all men to be equal.

http://masonicdictionary.com/numbers.html

OR... straight back to where we began to the Faith Mission and/or William Irvine of 1896 ,who was himself a freemason.

If it quacks and walks like a duck, then it is a duck.

Well, not a good start, my email has come back as undeliverable from the Chester museum website email contact given(which I cut and pasted) Will ring them tomorrow.
Fascinating stuff granny. Might that not be a bit 'above' the unprofessional level of the stick though? I feel if it was a commissioned piece by masons, it would have had to be accurate and better done . There again , maybe this WAS a reject , hence its being passed on and perhaps 'claimed' by Sinnon! That would fit with Bert saying carvers could have been ill educated. Gosh the possibilities are endless arent they.

One for the Antiques Road Show this Venice. If they're ever near by maybe worth a visit ....

Reference to carvers being ill educated.

Yet again we return to the Faith Mission.(or 2 x 2's) It was a group of pilgrims who were encouraged to give up their homes and travel. Preaching whatever they believed and at the same time teaching their crafts wherever they went.

So this stick could really fit in well with that approach. A combined piece of work from teacher to various levels of different skills.

Ive just been reading a site about schools in Chester in the 19C and apparently the small religious and free'rag' schools were at their height in Chester during the second half. Didnt find any mention of Hawthorn or any form of Deene though sadly.

Just to eliminate one thing, the Dene Hotel was definitely not Hawthorn Dene in that era. The name and building came much later.

Oh , Ive been looking for a histotical map I had once off here, that you place over todays map to see what it was like, to see if there was maybe any school marked there, so youve saved me that thanks DD . I dont reckon we are going to get to the bottom of this one.

Rev. H P Ramsden ( Henry Plumtre Ramsden) was Rector of Cottingham 1889 to 1902 (East Riding of Yorks)

And on offer was,

Cottingham , not Cheshire+

The Bishop of Chester is both the rector and patron of Cottingham, and the owner of the great tithes, though the parish is in the diocese of York.

Ah, thats the one, thanks Bert Ill stick it on my desktop. So we know there was a property called Hawthorn Dene on Hoole Rd - once yet no mention of its existence now. So, its name must have been changed on sale ? Must have been a decent size/quality of property judging by its sale contents.Think Ill Google earth myself up that road and see whats to be seen.

Chester Education and Schools.

http://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/ches/vol5/pt2/pp277-291