Reg Reader’s / Charlie Philpot’s / James Philpot’s dulcimer
Reg inherited his dulcimer from his grandfather Charlie Philpot, who had it from his father, James Philpot. It now belongs to Reg’s grandson Tom Knight, the fifth generation of the family to own this instrument.
The family story was that James Philpot (1841-1911) had a big dulcimer which he didn’t like carrying round. So he swapped it (the deal included a pair of boots too) with an ‘old boy in Halesworth, who actually made picture frames.’ It was also said that the maker had only ever made two instruments like this.
The ‘old boy’ was either Robert Howard or one of his sons – the Philpot/Reader family remembered this surname and the Howard family were carpenters living on Chediston St at the same time as the Philpots.
However, the instrument is now recognised as being made by William Chilvers of Chediston Street, Halesworth, as we have found possibly the ONLY other one made by Chilvers. It is identical to the Philpot/Reader instrument and has a positive provenance and signature of Chilvers.
Howard must have owned this one between Chilvers and Philpot and may well have had a hand in its making too, perhaps in the gilding.
- William Chilvers, musician and musical instrument maker was in Halesworth from 1842 to 1870.
- The Philpots were in Cratfield until at least 1877, so they were not actually living in Halesworth at the same time as Chilvers.
- However, the Howards were in the town in 1850 and lived in Chediston Street at the same time as Chilvers, so they are the ‘missing link’!
- The Howards, Philpots and Johnsons (Charlie Philpot’s wife’s family) lived and worked next door to each other for over thirty years between at least 1881 and 1911.
Further details about William Chilvers will follow as this website is updated.
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