TESTIMONIAL TO CAPTAIN CLYMO

WHEAL MARY ANN 

Extract from The Mining Journal 17th September 1859

Testimonial to Captain Clymo

    The meeting of the Adventurers in WHEAL MARY ANN, on Tuesday, was of more than usual interest, it having been arranged that the Testimonial from the Adventurers to their agent should be presented at the conclusion of the ordinary business.
    At the previous meeting a desire was expressed to have a portrait of Captain Clymo painted for the Count House, but it was ultimately determined to present him with a silver salver, the value of which was £75. It consisted of a massive silver tea tray, 24 in. by 20 in., with rich Tudor masked border, solid chased handles and feet, and elaborately engraved centre, bearing the inscription: “Presented to Captain Peter Clymo, Esq., by the Adventurers in Wheal Mary Ann Mine, as a testimonial of their respect and esteem, and in appreciation of his able management of this adventure from it’s commencement to the present time – Menheniot, September 13th 1859.” Messrs. West, Chubb, Trotter, Baker, Robey, and Cook acted as committee. Captain Clymo occupied the chair, and after the usual loyal toasts, and that of “success to Wheal Mary Ann” the testimonial was presented to him by Mr. Trotter, who in the course of his remarks, observed that they well knew that in mining affairs principles of rectitude and honour were not always held sacred; but where the name of Clymo had been associated there had been everything calculated to raise the character of mining affairs, and he trusted that it would be many generations before the excellence of his good name would cease to be remembered amongst them.
    Since the Testimonial had been first approved the appearance of their undertaking, on account of an alteration in the lower levels, had been a little under a cloud, as they had seen that day; but Mary Ann had paid her original capital 6 times over, and if they added to that the value of the shares at the present low market price, it would be ten times. He thought that spoke volumes in favour of mining adventure in Cornwall; and to Captain Clymo, and his able management it was owing that they had been able to realise such large profits.
    Captain Clymo, in acknowledging the honour, said that many of them would recollect that the mine was commenced in 1845. Trelawney was commenced in 1843. He and his poor brother were laughed at for thinking to have a mine in Menheniot. He replied to the sneers of those who prophesised failure, “never mind if we lose our money we will never ask you to pay it for us” – (Cheers). That mine was discovered by a man named Rickard Sowden and he and some of his companions applied for a sett before anything was said to his (the chairman’s) brother. But Mr. Trelawney would not grant a sett without a responsible man came forward. Then Trelawney was commenced; and in 1845 Mary Ann was commenced. A great deal was said at the time about it not being granted to the adventurers of Trelawney; but he (Captain Clymo) acted straightforwardly in the business. He applied for the sett for the Trelawney Adventurers scores of times, but Miss Pollard said, “No, I will never grant it for that company”, and when they found out she would not grant it to that company they thought would be foolish to let it go into other hands. They took the sett; then there was a chancery suit; but that was settled, and the mine commenced in 1845, and has since gone on. They had since made dividends amounting in the whole to £48,512 being £47. 7s. 6d. paid on each share.