Sponsor an Object

All-seeing Plate

This pink lustre-are plaque dates from the early 1800s. 'Prepare to meet thy God' is a quote from The Bible and is the most common wording seen on this type of religious plaque. It certainly would have had a big impact on the little girl whose bed it hung above! Did it make her think about hat she had done - or not done- during the day? Has she been a good girl? 

Cornfoot, Colville & Co, of the North Shields Pottery (later known as Low Lights) produced transfer-printed plaques identical to this example from 1828 - 1832. The little girl who had grown up with the plate above her bed became a teacher, travelled all over the world, and lived in Highweek into her 90s.

An 18th-Century Love Token

At first glance, this delicate paper token looks like a small, petal-shaped keepsake. But the single petal opens into a heart. That heart opens into another. And another.

In total, the intricate design reveals eight interlocking hearts, each folding into the next — and across the whole token are twelve verses of heartfelt poetry.

Letter from Brunel

In March 1836, William Ranger was awarded two contracts by Isambard Kingdom Brunel to build sections of the Great Western Railway line between Bristol and London. 

Ranger's work was delayed by inaccurate geology reports, late amendments to the plans and atrocious weather. Brunel refused to pay Ranger as he didn't meet the deadlines imposed; then dismissed him, took his equipment and stopped his navvies working. 

This letter, once attached to Ranger's list of complaints, is from Brunel saing he has added comments, including the word 'Lie' next to some of Ranger's entries!

Roman Lamp

In 1979 Peter Longridge, the rector of All Saints Church, Highweek, donated this small Roman lamp to the Museum. It was found in the rectory garden (now Southlands Residential home) but how did it get there?

The Romans established Exeter in about AD 50 and left Britain in 410. History books state that the Romans went no further west than Exeter, yet evidence from Ipplepen shows a significant Romano-British site there. 

Vicary's Mantle Clock

If you had visited Mr John Vicary's office in Bradley Lane, the ticking of this mantle clock would have supplied a rythmical accompaniment to your conversation. This type of clock was traditionally placed on the shelf or mantle, above the fireplace.

The Vicary family ran wool and leather businesses in Highweek for over 200 years and were the main employers in the town before the railway works were built. 

Hand Axe

Hand axes were the multi-tool of their day, with a point for digging, a hammer end and sharp edges for scraping. 

On a hunt, a new, sharp flake could be struck off it at any time for an arrowhead. A beautifully shaped hand axe may also have been a status symbol. 

Rope Hair Swing

Maud Albrighton had very strong, long hair, She lived next to the Rope Walk in East Street where there was machinery to twist fibres into rope for the sailing ships on the River Teign. The ropemakers suggested that they could make a rope out of Maud's hair if she ever had it cut. 

Eventually, Maud did have her long hair cut and the ropemakers really did make it into this 92 inch long (235 cm) skein! The hair rope was so strong, it was used to make a swing. 

GWR Pilot Armband

A Great Western Railway Pilotman was responsible for the safety of the staff in many different situations. 

He would wear this armband (which would show up well against the blue of his uniform) to make sure the factory staff and the railwayman were safe during the movement of the locomotives. 

A pilotman might oversee the movement of a passenger locomotive across the tracks leading to the engine sheds, making sure all the lines were clear of wagons. 

This armband dates from around the 1930/40s, when Newton Abbot Railway wagon works and passenger services were at their busiest.