Provenance

The Mary Eleanor Hibbert Collection

Notes

Lawrence Holme Twentyman was born on 5 May 1793 in Liverpool, the son of John Middleton Twentyman and Phoebe Holme. Trained as a clock and watchmaker, he arrived at the Cape on 12 June 1818 aboard the Ann, and in his petition to the Cape Governor described himself as a qualified professional in that trade. He married Betsy Burre l on 24 March 1821, and the couple had three children. In 1832, the family received permission to leave the Cape. Twentyman returned to the Cape for short stays in 1835, 1837, 1844, and 1846. He died on 8 June 1852 and was buried at Highgate Cemetery in London. From 1818 to 1832, Twentyman operated as a silversmith, watchmaker, and jeweller in Cape Town, mainly from 30 Heerengracht and surrounding addresses. His business evolved significantly during this time-from sterling silver, watches, and jewellery at the corner of Waal Street and the Heerengracht in 1818, to managing a Sheffield silver-plate warehouse by 1831. After 1832, the firm became known as Twentyman & Co., and later, Twentyman and Warner (1842–1844), shifting focus to general mercantile trade. His businesses continued under various names until 1887, although references to silversmithing and watchmaking ceased after 1837.

Stephan Welz (1976) Cape Silver and Silversmiths, Cape Town: AA Balkema.