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Mary Parsons, who died on September 30, 1815 aged 68, left a bequest in her will for the amount of £1,500 - a considerable amount at the time – to benefit old, infirm and poor silversmiths in Sheffield.

Aimed at her executors, the will instructed the money to be given away annually on St John's Day in memory of her late brother John Parsons, one of the earliest Sheffield platers and silversmiths who passed away a year prior.

Since then the generous act of charity has continued and in recent years has been administered by The Sheffield Assay Office which plays an active role in generating funds for the cause.

Beneficiaries’ and members of the silversmithing trade along with Assay Master, Ashley Carson and Trustees of the charity Keith Tyssen and Brett Payne beneath the plaque in
Sheffield Cathedral dedicated to John Parson and the Mary Parson Charity in 2019 — Beneficiaries’ and members of the silversmithing trade along with Assay Master, Ashley Carson and Trustees of the charity Keith Tyssen and Brett Payne beneath the plaque in Sheffield Cathedral dedicated to John Parson and the Mary Parson Charity in 2019

Emma Paragreen, Curator, Librarian and Archivist at The Sheffield Assay Office, said: “Throughout the year we receive requests from people that have worked within the trade.

“They apply themselves, state who they worked for, obviously within silversmithing, what their roles were and then what their ailments are because it was for poor, old and infirm silversmiths – it was for those that were in need that possibly didn't have a pension or post-retirement who found themselves in some form of financial difficulty or due to illness were unable to work.”

Originally Mary had intended for each silversmith to receive £1 and nowadays funds are generated from the sale of the Bradbury’s Book of Hallmarks and obtaining donations from the public and the trade.

Each year a service is held at Sheffield Cathedral on December 27, where silversmiths can benefit from the charity.

Recipients of the fund from the Mary Parsons Charity in December 1967

Due to its size, there are currently only 17 beneficiaries who receive around £200 each – meaning that £3,400 has to be raised yearly.

Assay Master, Ashley Carson who has been the Chairman of the charity since 1993 said: “The service is a great occasion to bring the silversmiths’ of the City of Sheffield together to give thanks for their skills and craftsmanship.”

To make a donation, cheques should be made payable to the 'Mary Parsons Charity' at The Sheffield Assay Office. For more information visit the website.

Sheffield charity set up over two centuries ago continues to help silversmiths in need