Councillor Benjamin Smith, Mayor Of Newbury 1886-1887

He used the heraldic crest of Richard Smith of Abingdon 1634. "Issuing from a mural crown of gold an ostrich's head holding in its beak of gold, a silver horseshoe."
Motto "In medio tutissimus" - Safest in the middle.

Crest on fourth medallion to the right of the pendant on the mayoral chain.

Thursday November 1886 elected Mayor for the following year.
Thursday September 29th 1887 Newbury Weekly News
Report on the presentation to Councillor Benjamin Smith and Mrs Smith at the end of his mayoral year. Given a silver tea and coffee service in one of the newest designs, handsomely chased and embossed, weighing 100oz and bearing the following inscription:
"Presented to Benjamin Smith, Esq., Mayor of Newbury, by his friends as a mark of esteem and to commemorate his year of office being the Jubilee of the reign of Her Majesty Queen Victoria September 1887". Each piece was also engraved with his Worship's initials in monogram and all fitting complete in a polished oak case lined with blue cloth.
The Mayoress’s presentation consisted of a lady's gold demi-hunting three quarter plate keyless lever watch, with coloured gold double Albert chain and tassel attached, the inside of the watch being inscribed
"Presented to Mrs. Benjamin Smith by friends to commemorate her husband's Mayoralty 1887".
A beautifully executed monogram M.A.S. adorning the outside.

The late Mrs. Ethne Tucker, Mayor Smith's grand daughter, inherited the service and finding the insurance for the service would be prohibitive, presented it to the Museum. I did not learn, when talking to her, the whereabouts of the watch, which was perhaps more saleable that the tea and coffee service.

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