New Acquisitions

Scott's Egg
Harry Scott was born in Walsall in 1858. On deciding to train for the church ministry, he enrolled at Chesghunt College, Churchgate, Cheshunt in 1878. Cheshunt College traced its origins to a college at Trevecca, near Talgarth in Breconshire, founded in 1768 by Selina, the Dowager Countess of Huntingdon; its purpose was to promote the Evangelical Cause.

At Cheshunt College, Harry met and fell in love with Mary Todhunter, the daughter of William Bower Todhunter, a professor at the college. They became engaged and were married on September 6th 1883 at the college. Mary's enchanting wedding dress is on display at the Museum.

The newly weds then set out as missionaries to New Guinea and lived on the remote Murray Island from 1883 to 1886. The first Christmas they spent on the island Harry gave Mary as a Christmas gift a wonderful Emu egg embellished with silver, surmounted by a silver miniature Emu.

Scott's Egg

They had many adventures as missionaries, and finally returned to England because of ill health with Harry who became Assistant Home Secretary to the British and Foreign Bible Society. Harry died in 1937 and Mary in 1952, aged 93. They had 6 children.

The egg was donated to the Museum by Mrs. Olive Peet and is on display to the public.

Last updated: 13 June, 2008