Washaway

Baptismal font noted in Pevsner (1970): "Font from Lanteglos-by-Camelford; one of the oldest in Cornwall, of the same size and indistinct vaguely circular shape as Morwenstow, but with plenty of decoration of a Celtic character, not easily distinguishable now: interlacings and probably intertwined animals too (c.1100 or earlier)." Described in the web page of The Hundred of Lesnewth [http://freepages.history.rootsweb.com/~cornwall] as a baptismal font of the Saxon or Early Norman period located in the rectory grounds at Lanteglos-by-Camelford. This font is probably the one reported in Murray's Handbook for travellers […] (1865) as: "A Norm[an] font is preserved at the Vicarage". Several popular sources describe this as the oldest font in England, but more realistic dating would put the font in the Norman period. Background information on the move of the fonts appears in the Cornish-Gen-L Arcives [http://listsearches.rootsweb.com/th/read/CORNISH-GEN/2004-04/1081217319] [accessed 18 November 2009] : ""The Washaway Mission Church Font - An ancient Saxon font which for some years stood in the rectory grounds of Lanteglos-by-Camelford, and formerly in the churchyard, having disappeared, inquiries made a short time since elicted the information that the late rector had presented it to the Rev. K.S. Shuttleworth, who had erected it in the mission church at Washaway. A public meeting of the inhabitants of the parish of Lanteglos was held at the Town-hall on Tuesday evening, 19th inst., at which the rector (the Rev. R.J. Roe) presided. Several communications which had passed between the churchwardens and the Rev. E.S. Shuttleworth were read. Mr. Shuttleworth stated that the font which was in the grounds of Lanteglos rectory had no base or pedestal, and it had a piece broken out of it. It stood in a pond, and flowers were grown in it. At the time of the opening of St. Conan's Mission Church he (Mr. Shuttleworth) was in want of a font, and the late rector of Lanteglos (the Rev. P.J. Baker Carr) gave to him that which for so many years has been desecrated in the rectory grounds. Mr. Shuttleworth thought that the fact of its being so long in the possession of the rector had given him absolute ownership. He suggested, however, that the matter should be referred to the Archdeacon of Bodmin, and if that gentleman decided that the font was the property of Lanteglos parish he would return it. - Mr. Burns (churchwarden) quoted from Sir John McLean's "History of Lanteglos," in which a description of the font was given, and it was stated to be standing in the rectory grounds. Mr. Burns also read a letter from Baroness de Metz (formerly Mrs. Wilkinson) giving some particulars of the font at the time her late husband was rector of the parish, and stating that "there could be no two opinions as to its belonging to the parish of Lanteglos." After some discussion, in which all parties agreed that the late rector had inadvertently given away parish property, it was decided, on the motion of Mr. Hurdon, seconded by Mr. Greenslade, that the matter be not referred to the Archdeacon of Bodmin, as suggested, but that Mr. Shuttleworth be requested to return the font, the parishioners agreeing to recoup to him the amount he had expended on its renovation."