Dorset 17th century Farthing, Weymouth, Thomas Hide, ship

17^th Century Token, Dorset, Weymouth, Farthing, 1664, Thomas Hide, ship sailing left, mullet and fleur stops in legend surrounding with toothed border both sides, *THOMAS. HIDE, rev. T H at centre, pierced cinquefoil above and below within beaded inner circle, legend with sate around, *IN. WAYMOUTH. 1664, weight 1.11g (Boyne 122; BW 199). Light patina of Verdigris both sides, otherwise good fine and readable.

The merchant Thomas Hyde was Mayor of Weymouth and Melcombe Regis three times in 1662, 1676, and 1680.

According to Hutchins (ii. 436) "Mr. Bailiffe Hide" is mentioned as being present on 23rd January 1666 at a gathering in a hall.

John Thorne, one of the constables reported Hyde on the 11th February 1700/1, for saying that "the Just-asses were not at home". --Weymouth Town Council Records.(No. 199,post.)

On the 14th September 1685 the name of "Mr. Hyde" appears present as one of the Town Council members, when the order was given for the gallows to be erected at Greenhill for the purpose of carrying out the precept from the Sheriff, ordering the execution of twelve persons who had been sentenced to be hanged by "Judge Jeffreys," and the due disposal of their corpses.

The "Descriptive Catalogue of Weymouth and Melcombe Regis Borough Records," edited by H. J. Moule in 1883, p. 85, goes on to list the manner in which the heads and quarters of the unfortunate victims were disposed of is shown in the original minutes.

Thomas Hyde was buried in Melcombe Regis Churchyard on 2nd September, 1702.

(For further notices of him, see Mr. Moule's Catalogue, class iii. 126, 135; vi. 117; vii. 53.) [Seepost, No. 199.]

Provenance:

Ex B. A. Seaby Ltd 1961 with ticket for 10/6d.