The Saxton Family made a big contribution to Abingdon during the eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries. The Saxton family’s contribution to Abingdon is remembered today through one of Abingdon most famous roads, Saxton Road, where the pub used to display their coat of arms. They also donated two famous royal portraits to the town, and held some distinguished positions in the town.

The family’s association with Abingdon began with Edward Saxton, a merchant and distiller, who was elected Mayor of Abingdon in 1730. (ref 1)

Edward’s eldest son, Clement Saxton (1724–1810), was educated at Abingdon School and enjoyed a distinguished military career in the Berkshire Militia. He served as High Sheriff of Berkshire in 1777, lived at Caldicott (now called Caldecott), supported Abingdon School as a benefactor, and is commemorated with a plaque in St Helen’s Church. (ref 2)

His younger brother, Sir Charles Saxton, 1st Baronet (1732–1808), entered the Royal Navy and after captaining various ships  became Commissioner of His Majesty’s Dockyard at Portsmouth. In recognition of his public service he was created Baronet of Circourt in 1794. (ref 3)

One of his gifts to Abingdon is recorded in the Oxford Journal (18 June 1808): “… full-length original portraits’ of the King and Queen have been presented to the Corporation of Abingdon, by Sir Charles Saxton, Baronet, whose son is Recorder of that town. These valuable pictures have been put up in the Council Chamber…” (ref 4)

The portraits of King George III and Queen Charlotte, partly attributed to Thomas Gainsborough, remain among the town’s most important paintings and are still displayed in the council chamber over 200 years later.

The donor’s son, Sir Charles Saxton, 2nd Baronet (1773–1838), also has a plaque in St Helen’s Church. He qualified as a barrister and became Recorder of Abingdon (the town’s chief legal officer) from 1805 until 1819. He entered government service in Ireland, becoming Civil Under-Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant. In 1812 he was elected to Parliament for Cashel (County Tipperary, Ireland), which he served until 1818. He later served as High Sheriff of Berkshire in 1824–25 and died at Caldecott House in 1838. (ref 3, ref 5)

References

1. Abingdon-on-Thames Town Council. Mayors of Abingdon since 1556.
https://www.abingdon.gov.uk/town-council/your-mayor/mayors-abingdon-thames-1556

2. Hammond, Nigel. Stewards(1743–1822) and Presidents (1893–2009) of the Old Abingdonian Club. Abingdon School Archive uploaded 2020 (original article 2008) p. 8.
https://archives.abingdon.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Hammond-stewards-presidents-part-1.pdf

3. Cokayne, George Edward. The Complete Baronetage, Vol. V. Exeter: W. Pollard & Co., 1900, pp. 287–289 (“Saxton of Circourt”).
https://archive.org/details/completebaroneta05coka/page/288/mode/2up

4. Oxford Journal, Saturday 18 June 1808, p. 3.

5. Jupp, P. J. “SAXTON, Sir Charles, 2nd Bt. (1773–1838), of Circourt, Berks.” The History of Parliament: The House of Commons 1790–1820.
https://www.historyofparliamentonline.org/volume/1790-1820/member/saxton-sir-charles-1773-1838

Following last year’s Roman exhibition, Abingdon Museum is continuing the story of the town and its people with a new exhibition exploring the Anglo-Saxon period from around AD 450 to 1066.

The exhibition shows more of the Museum’s Anglo-Saxon collection, alongside artefacts that are permanently on display.

Among the major discoveries featured are the finds from Barrow Hills and the Saxton Road Saxon cemetery. The Saxton Road cemetery has helped archaeologists learn about the people who lived here over 1,300 years ago. It was discovered after Mr Clargo, a workman digging a sewer trench for the new council houses in Saxton Road, recognised the significance of an urn and a metal object. Because many Anglo-Saxon burials included grave goods, archaeologists have been able to learn about the beliefs and everyday lives of those buried there.

The exhibition is arranged around a series of display boards covering many aspects of Anglo-Saxon life, including the Anglo-Saxon migrations into Britain, jewellery and personal possessions, burial customs, clothing, housing, domestic life and religion. Although Anglo-Saxon houses have long since disappeared, excavations have uncovered post holes and buildings with sunken floors.

The growth of Christianity and the establishment of the Abbey at Abingdon are also explored, alongside the Museum’s rare 7th-century gold ring decorated with glass beads and the famous Abingdon Sword.

The Museum is run by Abingdon Town Council, and it is thanks to its predecessor, Abingdon Borough Council, that most of the Saxton Road cemetery was excavated before the housing estate was built. The exhibition runs until 27th September. Admission is free.