| |
| Comments. This token served three tradesmen, all with businesses
in Petersfield. As late as 1860 there was a Henry Eames, watchmaker, in
the town. The names of Holland and Andrews seem to have disappeared. |
| |
| Petersfield is an old market town midway between Winchester
and Portsmouth. It was incorporated by Queen Elizabeth I and began to send
members to Parliament during the reign of Edward I. The right of election
was restricted to the freeholders of lands, or old dwelling houses, or shambles,
built upon ancient foundations within the borough. At the time the token
was issued all this property belonged to one man and therefore the nomination
of Members of Parliament rested entirely with him. |
| |
| In the days of coaching and posting Petersfield derived
much of its wealth from travellers, as the town lay on the highroad from
Portsmouth to London. |
| Commercial Coins 1787-1804., pp. 50-51 |
