In 1657, Mary Whetcombe gave to Sherborne Abbey a candelabra in memory of her husband John Whetcombe, a former churchwarden.
The candelabra, which was probably made in Holland or by London silversmiths to a Dutch design, is the earliest dated example of its type in England. Made of brass, the candelabra is topped by a double-headed eagle, below which are two tiers of branches. On the lowest globe of the stem an inscription records the gift of Mary Whetcombe, 1657, with a shield-of-arms.
An inventory made of the contents of Sherborne Abbey on 10 April 1721 describes the candelabra as, ‘One large brass candlestick with 12 socketts, given by Mrs Whetcombe’.
Mary Whetcombe died in 1674 and her funeral was held in Sherborne Abbey on 31 July 1674.
After Mary’s death, a probate inventory was taken of her goods and chattels on 20 October 1674 by Richard Savage and Henry Paul, the total value of which came to £53.05.06. The inventory included money in house; money received from tenants; six silver spoons; 1 little sweetmeat spoon; 1 candle cup and cover; 2 gold rings; 1 chest; 1 chair & 2 stools; 1 old press; 1 old close stool and pan; 1 old trunk, 1 old coffer and 3 old boxes; 1 pair of andirons, 1 fryer pan, 1 pair of tongs, a pair of snuffers, a pair of iron creepers; 1 looking glass; 1 feather bed, 1 flock bed, 1 feather bolster, 2 flock bolsters, 4 pillows; 1 pair of old blankets; 1 old yellow curtain and valance; 1 yellow rug; 1 old green curtain and valance; 1 bible; 1 old green rug; in the closet, earthen dishes and glass; 3 Holland sheets; 5 old canvas sheets; 1 little diaper cloth and 2 napkins’; 2 canvas table cloths and 2 napkins; 2 Holland cupboard cloths; 2 calico cupboard cloths; 3 pair of Holland pillow ties; 5 pair of Dowlais pillow ties; old towels; 1 pewter chamber pot; a little brass candlestick; 1 pair curtain rods; 1 window curtain; 2 colts and a crippled mare.
On 30 September 1940, the candelabra, which was then hanging in the chancel in Sherborne Abbey, was damaged when it fell to the floor during the bombing of Sherborne. In 1962, thanks to the generosity of the Dorsetshire Regiment, the candelabra was restored and rehung in the Lady Chapel.
Rachel Hassall