Cloth Seal, Exeter, Clothier's Seal, John Elwill, Image & Found by José de Sousa.
Found in Tavira, Portugal, 21.8mm, 12.98g.
Blank // 26 1/2 in square border // EXON, IOHN ELWILL around // blank
Probably a clothier's seal from Exeter.
From Mike Patrick, "ELWILL, John (c.1642-1717), of Polsloe House, nr. Exeter, Devon.
MP for Bere Alston 1681,1689,1695
Family and Education
b. c.1642, 1st s. of John Elwill, grocer, of Exeter by Rebecca Pole of Exeter. educ. Exeter, Oxf. 1659; Leyden. 1664. m. (1) lic. 14 Mar. 1676, Frances, da. of Sir John Bampfield, 1st. Bt., of Poltimore, s.p., (2) 2 Oct. 1682, Anne, da. of Edmund Lee, Saddler, of London, 2s. 2da. suc. fa. 1675; kntd. 28 Apr. 1696; cr. Bt. 25 Aug. 1709.
Biography
Elwill’s father, who served as bailiff of Exeter in 1659, destined him for the Congregational ministry; but Elwill preferred to make his career in trade. His education at Oxford and Leyden ‘gave a philosophic edge’ to his correspondence with his Dutch business contacts. By exporting Devonshire serges and importing German linens he built up one of the leading mercantile fortunes of the day in the west of England."
This seal is firm evidence of the cloth trade between Portugal and Exeter. Probably 17th-19th century.
