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Mudlarking the Thames - A Centuries old Stoneware Flagon emerges from the Mud with a Story to Tell

nicola white mudlark - Tideline Art

191,709 views

A Stoneware flagon dating back to 1831 has laid silently and motionless in the dark Thames mud for well over a century. Little did I know what I would learn from it. I honestly believe that sometimes you find an object when the time is right to discover and share its story. This flagon used to be on the shelves of a Grocer in Greenwich, which is in South East London. Watch the video to find out how a grocer moved to Greenwich in 1831 to improve his family's chance of being successful.

I used several different sites whilst researching this flagon and they can be found here:-

https://telsoc.org/journal/ajtde-v6-n...

Behind the Legend - The Many Worlds of Charles Todd - by Denis Cryle
https://www.google.co.uk/books/editio...

Also thanks to Alice Thomson @aliceTTimes who is the great grand daughter of Charles Todd

If you are tempted to try mudlarking you need to have a permit from the Port of London Authority. You can find the information here:-

https://www.pla.co.uk/Environment/Tha...

Thank you for watching. You can follow me on twitter and instagram for more finds from the River Thames - ‪@nicolawhitemudlark‬

Nicola White
www.tidelineart.com
December 2021

20 Comments

@GMN360 4 years ago (edited) Pinned

What a wonderful find of G Todd’s flagon that led to that history. I am Australian, have been the Alice - Alice Springs. Interesting to learn that the town was named after his wife Alice. The River Todd which runs through the centre of Alice and rarely flows, would be named after him. This is so exciting to learn so much more about that very important Mr Todd who did so much in the development of Australia His father who wanted so much more for his children certainly achieved his ambition! Thank you!

@okiefamily9244 4 years ago

Hi Nicola! I’m from central Oklahoma and I’m a Choctaw Nation Indian. I noticed in the video you made an extra effort to call us Native Americans. That’s so awesome and I really personally appreciate it so much, but at the same time you totally don’t have to. As a proud soldier of the 5 Nations Tribe and enthusiast of your videos it’s totally cool if you say Indian instead of Native American is all I’m saying. Your videos are some of the very best on YouTube and my sons and I love watching all of them and seeing your amazing finds!!! Thank you so so much for the loving kindness and respect from across the pond!!!

@MJMucha 4 years ago

I lay in bed today, once again feeling poorly from chemotherapy and saw you posted a new video. I immediately perked up and lost myself in your video. I immagined myself with you, feeling the breeze on my face, the coolness of the water, the scent of the mud & algae (which I imagine can be quite pungent at times!) and the sound of the birds & water lapping on the shore. My excitement increases with each find and by the end of the video, I find that I feel a great deal better and I have forgotten, at least for a while, my illness. Your videos are a work of art in themselves and transport those of us watching into your world of wonderment. Thank you for welcoming us into your life! I am forever grateful! xoxo
p.s.: How dare you tease us with that ring?!?😂

@maureenfitzgerald1895 4 years ago

It seems the most optimistic to believe the stone is in fact, a diamond. Why not? Either way, it’s a sparkly Thames find. 🥰

@artieash6671 4 years ago

I'm 70 and hope to be watching these when I'm 90. I hope you won't tire of mudlarking or posting. This is the most restful experience on the web. Just looking and finding and telling. Doesn't need another thing. Thank you.

@FindsByPirjo 4 years ago

I do hope it's a diamond ring, every pipe queen needs one. The story behind the flagon was great. Congratulations to all the lucky winners! Happy 2. Advent!

@dr_steve 4 years ago

Nicola: So appreciated the back story of Griffith Todd and his son, Charles. I am constantly amazed by what you can learn from just a fragment. Another beautifully edited and produced video, Nic! Congratulations to all the winners in today's video!

@paulkinzer7661 4 years ago

I so loved the Todd Family story! I'm an amateur astronomer, a lover of Australia, and one of my favorite novels is 'A Town Called Alice'. What you said about the (very lovely!) light blue sauce bottle possibly being available in the Todd grocery really struck me. 'It could have been' indeed. We are all connected, and that's a good thing, a truly wonderful thing!

@susantaylor4340 4 years ago (edited)

It looks like a swing cover for a lock. Like a key hole cover.

@ТеодораКолева-й3г 4 years ago

Now, it is most probably just my imagination, but the mystery object looks like a part of the old mechanical coffee/spice grinder my mom had, when I was a child. One side looks like the part, where you add the handle and the other (that looks like a quarter propeller) looks like the grinder’s knife.

@christinegreywolf 4 years ago

I am going to guess that the ring is not a diamond only because of the setting. The fact it has heart design on the sides and made from silver makes me think it is more of a sweetheart style ring and those generally use other stones or minerals instead of a diamond. It is still an awesome find! I am always surprised how you find these tiny items.

@bettymolloy1819 4 years ago

Very interesting Todd history.. understand the origin of the English name for the Todd river in Alice Springs and it’s tributary Charles River. They have a very funny Henley on Todd regatta in the dry river annually.

@williamavery9185 4 years ago

Have ever had any of the tobbaco analysed to determin its origin ? That would be very interesting.

@v_jall_things1324 4 years ago

I love watching your videos. I wonder whether the Family Club pin was from the Welwyn One World Family Club? Apparently it was formed in 1967 and is an international family club with members from over 40 nationalities ... Thanks again for all your videos. I'm learning so much from all your finds too 🙂

@suepage4364 4 years ago

I think the mystery object is from the front of a scale or gauge. Love the misty video. Wish we were there!

@oitsamy 4 years ago

I wonder if Mr. Todd's flagon ended up in the river as a result of the flood? It's so interesting to me that all the Thames treasures speak to the people and culture of a particular time in history, but also usually represent a specific moment in time for a particular person. Thanks for sharing them all with us Nicola!

@detectinghistoricalontario9664 4 years ago

The one mystery item could be a handle for a old roll up tape measure. Blessings

@dalem1140 4 years ago

Such a fascinating story. The story behind the finds is as exciting as the find itself. Great Vid 👌

@susantaylor4340 4 years ago

As always, thanks for spending your day with us!

@toorusty2 4 years ago

Absolutely amazing story on the Griffith Todd find. Being an Australian I had always wondered about the name of Alice Springs. Knowing what you have researched, and the fact that the River Todd, whose river bed runs through the middle of the town, the information now falls into place. I never get tired of watching your feeds as they are always entertaining and educational.