The medals of Soho near Birmingham
1793 Essex Agricultural Society Medal - With Shells and Inscribed Wrapper Ex. James Watt Jr. Collection

Owner Comments:

This is one of several medals in my collection that drips with originality. The medal speaks for itself, but those merits are only further elevated by the silver-lined brass shells and inscribed wrapper. It almost feels superfluous to mention the two-century-old provenance, or that Tungate (2020) reports a mintage of just 50 pieces. In keeping with the theme of this set, the following write-up is designed to provide historical context to the medal. Readers may find it helpful to first read the write-up for the Board of Agriculture medal before continuing to read this entry. The former provides the larger historical context that sets the stage for all other agricultural societies represented in this set.

Historical Context: It appears that the official name of this organization was The Essex Society for the Encouragement of Agriculture & Industry. It appears this name was eventually shortened to the Essex Agricultural Society by 1796. In keeping with the tradition of this set, I sought contemporary materials to provide context for this society. Despite that some variation of this society is still active today, I had a good deal of difficulty tracing its continual existence. For instance, the newspapers published in 1857 imply (if not directly state) that the Essex Agricultural Society was no longer in existence (see the XXX clipping). However, it appears the Essex Agricultural Society was revived and highly active in subsequent years. For instance, they held their fifth exhibition in 1862. We are fortunate to have not only a report of that event but also a relatively contemporary depiction. The excerpts below begin in October of 1793 when the organization was just starting to take shape, and end with an abridged account of the organization’s exhibition held in 1862.
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The Bath Chronicle
Thursday 10 October 1793
An Agricultural Society is forming at Chelmsford, for the local improvement of agriculture, &c. in Essex; of which Lord Howard, the Lord Lieutenant is chosen President, Lewis Majendie, Esq; Vice-President, the two Member of the County Patrons, and John Gregg, Esq; Treasurer.
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Ipswich Journal
Saturday 12 October 1793
On Monday last, a very numerous and Yeomanry was holden at the Shire-hall, at Chelmsford to consider the expediency of forming an Agricultural Society, for the local improvement of Agriculture, &c. in Essex. Lord Petre was called to the chair, when the business was opened by Filmer Honeywood, Esq. who moved that a Committee, consisting of the principal gentlemen and farmers in each division, should be appointed to prepare a plan to be laid before the next General Meeting; this being unanimously approved of, a subscription was immediately entered into for the support of the institution.
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Norfolk Chronicle Journal
Saturday 8 October 1796
At the anniversary meeting of the Essex Agricultural Society, held at the Shire-hall, Chelmsford, on Monday last, a considerable number of most respectable and intelligent practical farmers, as well as gentlemen were present; among the recorded accounts of premiums or rewards, which appear upon the books of the society to have been given to the industrious peasantry, there is a singular instance of one man, a common husbandman, who was the father of fifteen children, ten of them lived, and he has brought them up by the labor of his own hands and his wife’s in the most decent, creditable, and proper manner, having received from his parish, in the whole amount, no more than eleven shillings, and neither he or his wife having any other means of obtaining a subsistence, than such as belong to other persons in a similar situation of life. The name of this honest peasant is James Draine, of the parish of New Sampford, and the fact is certified by the churchwardens, overseers, and many of the principal inhabitants. It is surely the use to society to hold forth such examples of virtue and industry, and it is no less our interest than our duty to afford them every possible encouragement.
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Bath Chronicle and Weekly Gazette
Thursday 3 August 1797

ESSEX AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.
The premium offered by the Committee of the Essex Agricultural Society, within the Hundred of Chelmsford, for good ploughing, were disposed of on Saturday the 22nd of July instant, in a field belonging to Robert Tindal, Esq; where a trial of skill took place in the presence of a number of gentlemen, farmers, and others, who met there o the occasion. The several competitors having been ranked in their respective classes, proceeded to mark out the ground, and being excited by a lively emulation for the palm of victory, exhibited a great degree of excellence in this useful branch of agriculture. When the several trials were ended, the Committee adjudged the premiums as follows:

To Thos. Emery, servant to Mrs. Lakin of Bishop’s Hall, being the best ploughman, One Guinea.

To John Haason, also a servant to Mrs. Lakin, being the second best, Half-a Guinea.

To John Johnson, servant to Mr. Gand, of Chignall, being a lad under 17 years of age, for ploughing best, One Guinea; And to four other lads under the same age, whose merits were deemed equal, One Guinea.

Thus, by a temperate and well-placed generosity, are the feelings of this honest, and most useful class of men, brought in a just, and laudable competition; while the science of agriculture itself is receiving an important and essential aid; the beneficent effects of which are obvious, and ought to be cherished and acknowledged by all.
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Morning Herald Chronicle
Friday 14 August 1801

Essex Agricultural Society.
At the ESSEX AGRICULTURAL MEETING, holden at the Shire Hall at Chelmsford, on Wednesday last, the principal Breeders of Stock, and Agriculturists of the county, attended. There was a general shew of Stock, evidently improved very highly since the Metting of the last year. The ten prizes of the Society’s SILVER MEDAL, for the best produced stock, were thus adjudged; viz.

1. For the best Cart Stallion, to Mr. Wakefield.

2. For the best Bull, - Mr. Western.

3. For the best Cow, or Heifer, - Mr. Smith.

4. For the best Leicestershire Ram, or other, - Mr. Robinson.

5. For the best South Down Ram, - Lord Petre.

6. For the best Leicestershire Ewe, or other, - Mr. Boosey.

7. For the best South Down Ewe, - Mr. Western.

8. For the best Fat Ox, - Lord Petre.

9. For the best Wether of his age, - Mr. Robins.

10. For the best Boar, - Mr. Knight.

After the Shew, the Company retired to the Black Boy, to an elegant dinner. It being the anniversary of the birth of the Prince of Wales, the health of his Royal Highness was given from the Chair, and drank with the highest applause.
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The Chelmsford Chronicle
Friday, December 11. 1857

Agricultural.

ESTABLISHMENT OF AN ESSEAX AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.
To the Editor of the Chelmsford Chronicle.

Sir, - Observing in your paper of last Friday a discussion by the managing committee of the Royal Agricultural meeting held at Chelmsford respecting the disposal of the balance of the subscriptions, it occurred to me that could be applied for the purpose of establishing an Agricultural Society in this county, open to adjacent 1; The annual meetings to be held alternately at Chelmsford and Colhester, it would meet with the general concurrence and support of the county, thus adding to the good effects already derived from the meeting of the Royal Agricultural Society being held among us.
From what I have observed in other counties, where such societies exist, I am convinced that the stimulus thus given to breeders of stock by local shows renders them much more successful exhibitors at the Royal Agricultural Society’s shows, a distinction which is highly gratifying to almost every breeder of good stock.

There are already in this county several descriptions of stock, which with a very little more attention could vie, I think, with any in the kingdom. As regards sheep, I know of several flocks of Southdowns very little inferior to any to be seen anywhere; and ask for Kents, I'm inclined to think we beat any that can be found in their native county, and if with Kents, why by attention should we not take a high position with other long wools? With horses we might very soon stand first in the Kingdom, from the advantage of our proximity to Suffolk, crossing our somewhat coarse and heavy mares with their pure, well made, and clean leg stallions.
If the matter could be taken up by such gentlemen as were alluded to at the meeting and others of like influence, a society calculated to do in an immense deal of good would be established.

I am your most obedient servant,

AN OLD FARMER.

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THE ESSEX STANDARD, AND EASTERN COUNTIES’ ADVERTISER
Wednesday, June 4, 1862

ESSEX AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY
The fifth exhibition of this Society was held yesterday (Tuesday), at Halstead, in the grounds of R. E. F. Greenwood, Esq., of Sloe Farm. The show was a highly successful one, and the weather, which for the last two or three years has been very wet, was all that could be desired, although there were one or two light showers during the day, which, however were not sufficient to inconvenience the vast number of people who were present. The town was gaily decorated with flags and triumphal arches, and everything passed of with great eclut.

THE JUDGES.
The gentlemen who filled the position of Judges were as follows: -

Class 1. – Horses for Agricultural purposes. – Mr. Thomas King, Preston, Suffolk; Mr. W. R. Scott, Lavenham Hall, Suffolk; Mr. W. C. Spooner Ealing House, Southampton.

Class 2. – Riding Horses. – [Names omitted for brevity]

Classes 3 and 4. – Cattle. – [Names omitted]

Classes 5 and 6. – Sheep and Pigs. – [Names omitted]

Class 7. – Wool. – [Names omitted]

Class 8. – Poultry. – [Names omitted]

Class 9. – Implements. – [ Names omitted]

Several sections have been omitted from the initial report for brevity. The most interesting part of the omitted sections is the range of cash premiums awarded, up to £25.

At 4 o’clock a public dinner took place at the Town Hall, under the presidency of Lieut. – Colonel S. B. Brise, president for the year.
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Obverse: The obverse depicts Britannia seated facing left (from the viewer's perspective). Her hair is tightly formed and concealed by a crown made of what appears to be highly detailed bits of wheat. She is wearing a robe that clings tightly to her body. Her right arm is outstretched, holding a laurel wreath in front of her. A cornucopia filled with what appears to be wheat is tucked between her left arm. Her right leg is bent while her left leg is outstretched in front of her. Her posture suggests she is sitting, but the only thing that appears below her is a relatively small heraldically colored shield. A large lion appears resting to her left, with its gaze fixated in the distance to the left. A large plow appears in the intermediary background just ahead of a small farmhouse. Further in the distance appears a windmill perched on a hill overlooking a large area of land with three distinct regions of cultivation. A small town with a clear area of vegetation appears in the background behind the lion’s back. The foreground is cut off with the sharp exergue line and is curved on either side so that it does not touch the inner rim. The engraver’s initials C. H. KÜCHLER F. appears on the far right side of the exergue. In the exergue, immediately below the shield and lion appear the inscription “INSTITUTED 1793” just above a small flowered ornament. A large pennant appears at the top above the main devices, which contains the main legend. It reads “ESSEX AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.”.

Reverse: A wreath of two branches tied together by a ribbon with one large bow and two loosed ends is depicted. The loose end of the left droops below the branch of the right stem and overlaps it from behind. The loose end of the right bow drops below and overlaps the left stem from the front. The engraver’s initials are absent. The middle of the wreath is intentionally devoid of detail to allow space to engrave the recipient’s name.

Edge: The edge of this medal is plain, but Tungate (2020) states the edge of awarded medals had an engraved edge – STRUCK IN THE MINT OF M. BOULTON. I have been unable to confirm this.

Size: 45mm

Notes: Tracing the history of the Essex Agricultural Society proved more challenging than I expected, which added a lot of enjoyment to creating with write-up. Much like the other agricultural society medals in this set, this medal is not found in either Brown (1970) or Eimer (2010). The only mention that I can find is in Pollard’s (1970) seminal article detailing the business relationship between Boulton and Küchler. I am beginning to wonder if the practice of issuing prize medals proved unpopular among contestants of these exhibitions. Tungate (2020) reports that these medals were first ordered in December 1793 and further orders were placed until at least 1808. However, the earlier reports found in the contemporary newspapers (excluding 1801) make no mention of medals, just cash premiums. Nonetheless, it appears the Essex organization awarded far fewer medals (at least in 1801) compared to either the Board of Agriculture or the Drayon Agricultural Society. Perhaps this was more of an indication of the funds available to the Essex Agricultural Society, as the medals they issued were smaller (i.e., 45mm) and were only awarded in silver. Likewise, the cash premiums they offered in the early days were substantially more modest in comparison. The lack of steady cash collected from subscribers might also explain the apparent lapse in existence suggested by the farmer’s plea published in 1857.

References:

Brown, L. A. (1980). A Catalogue of British Historical Medals: Vol. I The Accession of George III to the Death of William IV 1760-1837. London: Seaby Publications Ltd.

Eimer, C. (2010). British Commemorative Medals and Their Values. London: Spink & Son Ltd.

Pollard, J. G. (1970). Matthew Boulton and Conrad Heinrich Küchler. The Numismatic Chronicle, 10, 259-318.

Tungate, S. (2020) Matthew Boulton and The Soho Mint: copper to customer. Worcestershire: Brewin Books.