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Objects | Crawford Ross Tackman

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Three spoons from a set of six fiddle pattern silver soup spoons. Impressed on back of handle

Soup Spoons

A photograph of Crawford Ross who was a tacksman at Cadboll for over 30 years. A tack was a lease, and a tacksman a leaseholder. In the Highlands, the term was applied particularly to someone who leased a large area and in turn sublet to smaller tenant farmers. Crawford died on 2/12/1862, aged 75. There are a number of items relating to Crawford Ross in the museum collection.These include a snuff box, duelling pistols, military dress sword, 6 silver spoons and 4 claret bottles, and were part of a Dr Rankine Bequest and came to him via the Youngs of Cadboll.

Crawford Ross Photograph

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One of a set of four glass claret bottles, with cork stopper, made in three sections- base and two shoulder and neckpieces. Lip added separately. Initials CR of owner Crawford Ross embossed on a round piece of glass (

Wine Bottle

The handle of the sword has an urn-shaped pommel above the handgrip bound with silver wire; the knuckle bow is decorated with leaf designs at either end. Only one shell guard remains, the hinge for the other one remains with one of the four copper rivets missing. The pommel knuckle bow and guard are brass.Engraved - crown with 'G.R' below it on one side and floral ornament stamped - letter 'S' at top of blade; on one side engraved - royal coat of arms and 'honi soit qui mal y panse' & 'Dieu et mon droit' on other.Belonged to Crawford Ross, tacksman of Cadboll for 30 years. He died on 2nd December 1862, aged 75 years. He was the original owner of the sword.

Military Dress Sword

Polished walnut duelling pistol with brass barrel and mounts. One brass side plate with flag decoration. One steel side plate with a firing mechanism. The butt of the pistol is enclosed in a brass cap decorated with an embossed human head. One of a pair; the other stolen from the original owner, Crawford Ross, while he was on a visit to Glasgow. Top of barrel engraved LONDON. The barrel also stamped IW, g, a head? and one other mark. Steel side plate engraved WATERS & GILL.

Duelling Pistol

Upright horn snuff box, oval in section, with silver base and lid by Alexander Stewart. Top of lid engraved with initials DR, underside marked A.S. Card inside the box states

Horn and silver snuff box by Alexander Stewart

Small copper horn with brass-mouth-piece and lip and curled stem. Stamped on 2 plaques on top of the stem of the horn ' 1808' and 'to G C R from McC'. Originally this horn belonged to Crawford Ross Esq. - Tacksman of Cadboll for thirty years. He died on 2nd December 1862, aged 75 years.

Small Copper Horn