A GEORGE III SILVER FOUR-PIECE TEA AND COFFEE SET, WILLIAM BURWASH, LONDON, 1813/14 comprising a

A GEORGE III SILVER FOUR-PIECE TEA AND COFFEE SET, WILLIAM BURWASH, LONDON, 1813/14 comprising a teapot on stand, a coffee biggin on stand with burner, a milk jug and a sugar bowl, part lobed crested bodies with gadroon rims, all pieces inscribed to underside coffee biggin on stand 27cm high, 2694gr. (86oz) including wood handles and an ivory finial but excluding wood based teapot stand (6) The inscriptions read: `From Captn. & Mrs. Henry Matson to their Affectionate Friend Mrs. Woodhouse. Octr. 1814.` The crest is that of Woodhouse. Captain Henry Matson, RN, of Conduit Street, Hanover Square, London and Walmer, Kent, came from a naval family (brother of Rear Admiral Richard Matson and cousin to Vice Admiral John Harvey), entering the service in 1796. His successful career saw him capturing French ships in 1805 and 1807. He was put out of commission in 1810, retiring on half pay. His twenty-two year old wife died, shortly after the gift of this tea and coffee set had been made, on 18th March 1815. Henry Matson lived on until May or June, 1827 (The Gentleman`s Magazine, London, April 1815, p. 374 & Jan.-June 1827 Supplement, p.644/645).