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Ormolu mantelpiece/sideboard Clock. Gift to Tryphena Sparks. (Tryphena Gale (née Sparks) (1851 – 1890)) Tryphena Sparks was born in Dorset in 1851. She was the cousin and sweetheart of Thomas Hardy. After attending Stockwell Training College, she became headmistress of Plymouth Day School. When she left in 1877 she was presented with the clock. She married Charles Frederick Gale a Topsham publican in 1877. They lived at the South Western Tavern and owned other Topsham businesses. They had four children but she died in childbirth in 1890. Tryphena was known for her charitable work on behalf of the local fishermen who asked to carry her coffin at her funeral. Thomas Hardy visited her grave in Topsham Cemetery, leaving a note "In loving memory - Tom Hardy”. Tryphena was the inspiration for Hardy’s poem Thoughts of Phena at News of Her Death, Far from the Madding Crowd, Sue Bridehead in Jude the Obscure and several poems. Gilt and porcelain (illustrated), 'PH Mourey 77' on oval wooden base.

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clock

Sparks Tryphena; Gale Family; Hardy Thomas

Artefact