Sepia albumen print

Acc.no: PEZPH : 2016.50.477

Identification

Item: Knill Ceremony at Knill Steeple, St Ives

Description: A photograph of the Knill Ceremony at Knill's Steeple pre-1914, with 10 little girls, a fiddler, two widows, the mayor, vicar and customs officer and a Master of Ceremonies, watched by a large crowd of onlookers. John Knill was Customs Officer in St Ives between 1762 and 1782 and Mayor in 1767. He was instrumental in the building of Smeaton's Pier and the wall along Porthmeor Beach which prevented Downlong being inundated with wind blown sand. He built Knill's Steeple in 1782 and wrote his Trust Deed for the Knill Ceremony in 1797. Knill was present at the first ceremony in 1801 and he left an annuity for the upkeep of the Ceremony and several charities. The Ceremony took place on St James' Day (25th July) every 5 years. The 10 little girls & widows dance around the Steeple to the Furry Dance tune. Then the Old Hundredth Psalm: 'All People That on Earth do Dwell' is sung. Knill died in London in 1811. See also 2016.50.476 and 478.

Condition: Good

Description

Material: Photographic paper

Production

Method: Printed

Category: Photography

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