A Victorian demi-fluted silver pedestal punch bowl by Martin, Hall & Co, embossed with acanthus leaf border and engraved with large monogram dated '22nd Decr, 1889', on spiral fluted foot, London, 1889, diameter 27cm, 48 oz. The Reverent Joseph Parker was born in Hexham, Northumberland on the 9th April in 1830 and was educated there leaving school at the age of 13. After a time working with his father who was a stone mason his father sent him for private schooling for further education In 1848 having joined the Wesleyan Methodist church became a local preacher and preached his first sermon from a saw-pit on the village green at Wall and the following year at the age of 19 he became a school master teaching pupils grammar, algebra, Latin, Greek and bookkeeping. On the 15th November 1851 at just 21 he married Ann Nesbitt. She was well loved but unfortunately died in Manchester after 12 years of marriage. In 1852 Mr Parker left Northumberland for Manchester and then to London to follow his ministerial calling. In1864 on the 22nd December after being a widower for twelve months he married Emma Jane Common daughter of Andrew Common of Sunderland. They were married for 34 years in 1899 she died after an operation leaving her husband heartbroken. When he left Manchester on he 27th June 1869 he was presented with a purse containing £700 as a parting gift from his congregation. He next position was as Pastor of the Poultry Chapel, Cheapside. London. The Poultry Chapel was pulled down in1872-3 and the City Temple erected in 1873 at a cost of £70k with most of the funds raised by Dr Parker. It opened on May 19th and Dr Parker preached there for 28 years. He was much respected and was presented with many gifts in thanks including a silver punch bowl. Dr Parker died on the 28th of November 1902 at his home in Hampstead The Albums presented to the City Temple have been in the Common family since the death of Dr Parker's wife Emma Jane. One of the Albums contains signatures of all those who attended Dr Parker's funeral service and another contains obituaries of his life and descriptions of his funeral which was attended by notable politicians and dignitaries who used to attend his famous magnetic sermons. These sermons were delivered forcefully every week from the magnificent marble pulpit. The Common family feel that the Albums should be held at the City Temple for future generations to study the remarkable life of Dr Parker. Peter Eliot Common and Elizabeth Jane Slater (nee Common) & families