The Digital Ark: Early Modern Collections of Curiosities in England and Scotland, 1580-1700

[ Previous ][ Next ]

Thomas Denison (1655-6 - 18 Jul 1708)

Merchant. Described by G. D. Lumb as "Thomas Denison, of Great Woodhouse and New Chapel, Leeds, merchant, one of the Society of Merchant Adventurers, a friend of Ralph Thoresby, and a member of the Town End Club" (259). According to D. H. Atkinson, he "travelled abroad, and brought from Prussia a piece of amber enclosing a perfect spider, which he bestowed upon Thoresby; besides a coin of Augustus, King of Poland, dated 1705" (2: 81).

Relevant locations: Lived at or near Leeds, Leeds Parish
Linked print sources: as Donator of object(s) - Ducatus Leodiensis; or the topography of the town and parish of Leedes and parts adjacent ...
as Mentions or references - Ralph Thoresby, the Topographer: The Town and His Times.
as Mentions or references - The Family of Denison of Great Woodhouse, and their Residences in Leeds.
References in Documents:
Thoresby, Musaeum Thoresbyanum (1713)

Amber; a Piece of Opacus Yellow; a large Piece of Yellow Amber very clear and fine, which the ingenious Mrs. Sus. Maddox brought me from Prussia, with a Piece of pale Yellow, of White, and of Citron Colour, together with Fossil Amber from the same Country; and one Bit, that being broke discovers four distinct Colours in less than half an Inch. Amber with a Flye enclosed, the Feet and Wings extended very distinct. One with a Spider as perfect, that Mr. Tho. Denison brought from Prussia, and presented to me. An oblong Piece, wherein both a Spider and a Fly are immersed. Don. D. Moisis Ashenden M. D.