Pocket Watch - Mudge & Dutton, c. 1770

Summary — Museums Victoria

Gents pocket watch, gold pair case, Thomas Mudge & William Dutton, London, no 943, circa 1770. Outer case carries the London hallmark for 1798. The watch was the property of Derwas Owen Jones, who arrived in the Lightning with his brother Henry (Harry) Jones in 1842. Their father owned the Bank of Shrewsbury. The brothers initially cleared land near Kilmore to breed sheep, then moved to South Australia and established Binnum Station, north of Naracoorte. The 'Binnum Run', lease no.162 of 1851, was held by H.& D.O. Jones. A third brother, Heighway Jones (1817-1876), joined the brothers in 1847 and founded Kybybolite Station. Derwas Owen Jones returned to England subsequently, and lived at Pontesford House, Pontesford, Shropshire.

Physical description — Museums Victoria

18 carat gold pair case, the inner one being pierced with a leaf design. Plain gold hands. A repeater mechanism sounds the hours and quarters one to four. Back plate is ornate. White enamel dial has black roman numerals and gold hands. Key wound spring; cylinder escapement. Fusee and chain; winding dial. Steel balance wheel, ornate brass cock and diamond end jewel.

Significance — Museums Victoria

The watch was the property of Derwas Owen Jones, who arrived in the Lightning with his brother Henry (Harry) Jones in 1842. Their father owned the Bank of Shrewsbury. The brothers initially cleared land near Kilmore to breed sheep, then moved to South Australia and established Binnum Station, north of Naracoorte. The 'Binnum Run', lease no. 162 of 1851, was held by H. and D.O. Jones. A third brother, Heighway Jones (1817-1876), joined the brothers in 1847 and founded Kybybolite Station. Derwas Owen Jones returned to England subsequently, and lived at Pontesford House, Pontesford, Shropshire. There is a photograph of Mr Derwas Jones taken, at Pontesford House; he is wearing a chain but the fob attached to the chain is not clear. The photograph is held by the State Library of Victoria (H10700) and a photocopy is in the Supplementary File. The photograph and others copied in the Supp. file are part of the Cumming Album of views, owned by Derwas Jones or his family members.