Thomas Burrough is recorded in Grimwade as a provincial maker with his mark registered in London. His first mark was registered in 1759, as a small-worker. A second mark was registered by letter of Attorney, signed by Samuel Meriton (also a silver-smith), registering him as a silversmith, in 1769. He went on the record with other marks up to 1778 and his will was proved on 2nd April 1781, by which time he had clearly died. He had five daughters and one (Frances) was married to Benjamin Swayne, also a silversmith. Thomas Burrough was a "Goldsmith, Stationer and Book-binder" and he is known to have published books up to 1776, including a map of Devizes in 1759. These tongs are an absolute delight. The style is completely different to any others that I have seen, which suggests that they were actually made by Thomas Burrough (although we cannot be certain). I have tentatively dated them at c1775.