Who was Ebenezer?

[Daft Bat]

A friend of mine is trying to find out about a snuff mull dated 1785. It is listed as being:
"A late 18th century Scottish mounted burr yew-wood and ivory snuff mull".

It is only about 8cm high and engraved on the silver band round the top is:

"JA" and also "Ebenr. Annan Smiths 1785"

We have no idea as to whom "Ebenr. Annan Smiths" is, let alone "JA"!

It is our reckoning that Ebenr is short for Ebenezer as we cannot think what else it could mean.

I have checked in ScotlandsPeople but to no avail, also FMP and Ancestry. However, other eyes/brains are probably sharper than mine and so we would appreciate any help that may be available.

Thank you!

 

[MollyMay]

Have you considered that Ebenr Annan Smiths, could be Ebenr, a silversmith in Annan?

 

[Daft Bat]

Have you considered that Ebenr Annan Smiths, could be Ebenr, a silversmith in Annan?

Hmmm.... I had thought along those lines but the engraving looks SMITHS to be more of a surname. That surname can also be found in Scotland...



However, certainly an idea that merits extra digging. Thank you!

 

[MollyMay]

There is a Dumfries silversmith by the name of John Adair*, but he was not active until c1866, but could have been responsible for a repair of the silver band (just guessing).

Source Scottish Provincial Silversmiths (Dumfries)

 

[janetbooth]

Does the snuff mill have a silver hallmark on it anywhere Jan, such as the anchor mark which indicates that the silver was assayed in Birmingham - if I remember my silver marks correctly! That might narrow the area down somewhat.

Janet

 

[Daft Bat]

I will ask.....

 

[AnnB]

Caledonian Mercury 30th April 1796 from a list of subscribers to the Corn Committee, Edinburgh April 30 1796


Scots Magazine 1st July 1810
May 29 - At Edinburgh, Mr Ebenezer Annan, smith

Maybe the JA is a brother to Ebenezer Annan and they were in business as smiths together?

 

[arthurk]

You've all been thinking on the same lines as I was, but those press extracts are an excellent find, Ann.

Rather than a brother (possibly worth exploring, though?), could JA be the person the item was made for or presented to?

 

[Daft Bat]

@AnnB brilliant find! Thank you!
@arthurk yes, the JA could well be the person who it was made for.

 

[Daft Bat]

Thank you all.

From this information, I have managed to find other newspaper mentions plus Ebenezer's death in 1810.

I can now put the information together and whizz it over to my friend, Tim.

Tim has asked that I send a huge THANK YOU to you.