Details of Sculptor

Surname

Tovell Family

Alternative Surname

First Name

of Ipswich

Initial of Surname

T

Year of Birth/Baptism

Flourished

Year of Death

Biographical Details

Robert Tovell - 1786
Edward Tovell fl 1733
George Tovell fl c1821-32?
Robert Tovell 1778-1840
The earliest known member of this family was Robert Tovell, ‘stonemason’, who died on 27 October 1786 and was buried at St Margaret, Ipswich. Edward Tovell, presumably a son of the above, was employed by Robert Mylne II, the architect, who noted in his diary ‘Sept 18. 1791. Went to Wolverstone, examined with Mr. Berners situation for Obelisk, settled the business for it with Towell, Mason’ ( Mylne Diary in GPC). The obelisk is 96 feet high, with a staircase in the interior up to the top, which is surmounted by a globe encircled by rays. This was erected by Charles Berners to the memory of his father (7).
Edward Tovell was the father of George and Robert Tovell, who sign a good many tablets in Suffolk, ‘though none of these is outstanding’ (Gunnis 1968, 397). Robert married Sarah Thurston, also of Ipswich, on 17 November 1812. She died in 1831.
Literary References: Gunnis 1968, 397
Archival References: IGI; GPC