Gents Mag 1853 part 1 p.491

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	Gentleman's Magazine 1853 part 1 p.491 Plumbers, Tynkers, Pewterers, and Metallers; 12. Carpenters, Joyners, Masons, Wallers, Slaters, Thatchers, Glassers, Paynters, Pleysterers, Dawbers, Pavers, Myllers, and Cowpers. These incorporated companies gradually became extinct, the last of them (the cordyners or Cordwainers) being "broken up" - i.e. dissolved - in 1800, in consequence of one Robert Moser refusing to recognise any legal power in the company to impose a fine upon persons, not being freemen, commencing business within the borough. There is, in our estimation, something more than an ordinary local interest in such notices as we have now put together. Not only do the packhorses of Kendal clothiers again, in our mind's eye, tramp along the highways of Old England, but the knaves in Kendal-green again start forth from the wood-side, and the tattered hood of the same dye again barely shades the head of the labouring swain. In Kendal itself the townsmen were prosperous in their industry, and bountiful in their charity; sometimes laying the foundation of families of landed gentry, and sometimes the more lasting structure of an almshouse or hospital. In the seventeenth century, like other traders, they felt the want of a currency of small value; and it was supplied, partly by the trading companies and partly by individuals, in the form of various tokens, of which some eight or ten varieties are known. It is by these tokens that our attention has been directed to the ancient manfactures of Kendal,* to the illustration of which they will be found to lend some further assistance. 1. The earliest in point of date is that of "Thomas Sandes of Kendal," 1656. The obverse presents the figures of a teasel and a wool-hook; and the reverse a wool-comb. Thomas Sandes, who was mayor of Kendal in 1647-8, made a fortune as a manufacturer of "Kendal Cottons." He resided in the front house of the Elephant yard, (now the Elephant inn, which was rebuilt about thirty years ago,) using the back premises as his warehouses. His mint, consisting of two coining presses and other instruments, was a few years ago found in making alterations to these premises. He founded, in 1670, Sandes Hospital in Kendal, endowing it with considerable property for the maintenance and relief of eight poor widows, and for the support of a school for poor children until they should be fitted for the free school of Kendal or elsewhere. The hospital premises consist of the master's house, school-house, library, and eight dwellings for the widows, with gardens and crofts. He also bequeathed a collection of books, including a valuable series of the ancient Fathers of the Church. He died, aged 75, on the 22nd Aug. 1681; and there is a handsome monument to his memory in Kendal church. It was originally erected against a pillar at the west end of the "aldermen's pew," but was moved last year (1852) in consequence of a renovation of the church, to an appropriate position immediately over the south-west entrance door, in the interior of the edifice. list, 2. in 1657 a farthing token was issued under the name of the Mercer's Company. On one side it bears their arms, the Virgin's head, - the arms of trading companies being the same throughout the country as they were in London. On the reverse are the arms displayed by the town (as shown more at large in the woodcut at the head of this article), qtrly of teasles and wool-hooks. Above the shield are the letters K K, for Kirkby Kendal, which are placed in like manner on the
	* "The Trademen's Tokens (of the 17th century) of Cumberland and Westmoreland. By William Henry Brockett. Gateshead-upon-Tyne, 1853." 8vo. pp.14. We are indebted to Mr. Brockett for the loan of the woodcuts which illustrate this pamphlet. He had previously published, "The Tokens of Durham and Northumberland. 1851."
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