The Marital Arms of Chamier and Wilson
A mezzotint print of portrait of Anthony Chamier (1725 – 1780)
engraved by William Ward ARA taken from the original portrait by Sir Joshua Reynolds.
The armorial bearings as engraved upon this
Set of Six George II English Sterling Silver Hanoverian Pattern Three Tine Forks
by Thomas and William Chawner hallmarked London 1763
are those of the family of Chamier impaling Wilson.
These armorial bearings denote the marshalling of a marital coat showing
on the dexter (the heraldic right on the left as you view the piece) the arms of the husband
and on the sinister (the heraldic left on the right as you view it) the arms of the wife.
They may be blazoned as follows :
Arms:
(on the dexter) Azure on a fess or between three roses argent a human heart gules (for Chamier)
(on the sinister) Sable a wolf rampant and in chief three estoiles or (for Wilson)
These armorial bearings undoubtedly commemorate the marriage of Anthony Chamier
(named at birth as Antoine later anglicized to Anthony)
(born 6th October 1725 baptised 19th October 1725 died 12th October 1780)
nd Dorothy Wilson (died 1799).
Anthony was the son of Daniel and Susanne (Also known as Susan) de la Mejenelle
and was of Huguenot ancestry through his mother's family,
whilst his wife Dorothy was a daughter and co-heir of Robert Wilson,
Merchant of St. Mary Axe in the City of London,
and her sister was the wife of Thomas Bradshaw, who was Private Secretary of the Duke of Grafton,
and later Secretary to the Treasury, and afterwards a Lord of the Admiralty.
Anthony and Dorothy married after receiving an Archbishop of Canterbury License
to marry that was dated the 3rd October 1752.
From 1764 to 1767, the Chamiers lived 67/68 Dean Street, Soho in the County of Middlesex.
Anthony also acquired amongst other properties a country residence in Epsom in the County of Surrey
which was later called The Elms. Sadly, this house was demolished in 1825.
Anthony was a broker and had also served for a short period
as a Member of Parliament for the seat of Tamworth in the County of Staffordshire between 1778 and 1780.
He also served as a government official (civil servant) as
the Secretary to the Commander in Chief at the War Office between 1763 and 1772,
Deputy Secretary at War between 1772
and 1775 and Under Secretary of State 1775 until his death in 1780.
He was buried in the Parish Church of St James's. Piccadilly in the County of Middlesex.
 
The Marital Arms of Chamier and Wilson
as engraved upon a George II Britannia Silver Hanoverian Pattern Fork by Paul De Lamerie, (left)
London circa 1733, showing the correct
disposition of the roses, two and one on the arms of Chamier.
(Right) : The engraver inadvertently engraved the roses, one and two upon the arms of Chamier
whereas they should have been engraved two and one as shown the George II Britannia Silver Hanoverian Pattern Fork
Heraldry Courtesy of John A. Tunesi of Liongam
MSc, FSA Scot, Hon FHS, QG
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