1791 Halfpenny Token Portsmouth Hampshire

“W. Taylor, whose mill was at South Stoneham, about four miles from Southampton, was a meker of rope-blocks for ships and gun carriages, as shown on the shield. There is a Samuel Taylor described as a Brewer in he Universal British Directory of 1790-5. Richard Vernon Moody died in 1792; the writer of the Bazaar Notes states that he was a member of of the Corporation. Sir Bevois is recorded as being a very powerful man; a sword of great size is shown at Arundel Castle, said to have been his weapon. On the wall of Bar-gate are sculptured a representation of Ascupart, a giant, and Sir Bevois, who fought and conquered him