[UPDATE] Mayor 1883

[UPDATED 25-May-2024]

How wrong could I be!

It's NOT about who I thought it was at all but the mayor BEFORE the one I wrote about.

Thanks so much Anonymous in the post comments for outlining it all. I will copy their most excellent words here but also leave my research on the wrong Mayor below 😁

Sorry Mike, the plaque isn't anything to do with Champney Powell. The initials on the plaque are GPT - George Porter Tippins, who was Mayor of Monmouth from 1880 to 1883. The plaque commemorates the widening of the top of Monnow street in 1883/84, and the first shop in the new building (nos 8-10) was Kennington Hall, outfitters. GP Tippins owned the malthouse and brewery on St Mary's street. The ship is the 1675 official seal of Monmouth which is encircled by the insignia “Sigilium Nouvvm Ville de Monmouth Asoni 75” ( New Sign of The Town of Monmouth in the year of our Lord (16) 75 ).

Once again, thanks Anonymous, you're a star!

And now, onto the original but wrong words ...

---

Let the Googling begin ...

[tl;dr] Champney Powell was Mayor of Monmouth starting in 1883.

C • P • T - MAYOR 1883

DNI • 75 • SIC - LVM NOVVUM VILLE -+- DE • MONMOUTH

I cannot find out why three letters are written, "C • P • T", what does the "T" stand for?

As for the Latin, no idea, and even the online translates are struggling. Something about "75 days", maybe something "new", who knows.

So, what else is out there, this description on the photo in Wikipedia:

Decorative plaque set in brickwork Set at first floor level of a shop on the corner of Monnow Street and Glendower Street. As a medieval borough, Monmouth depended much on its river trade - the masted ship is a symbol of that dependence.

Interesting about the ship, didn't know that.

Here's the fella himself

Champney Powell, Mayor of Monmouth (1883–1885) ~ unknown artist ~ Monmouth Shire Hall

And finally we have two reports of his death on Thursday 17th October 1895.

The first is from The Weekly Mail And News Of The Week newspaper as archived in the National Museum Of Wales:

DEATH OF ALDERMAN POWELL, MONMOUTH.

Alderman Champney Powell, wine and spirit merchant, died at his residence, The Elms, Dixton-road, Monmouth, on Thursday morning, aged 72 years. The deceased had been a member of the town council since 1880, and was mayor for three consecutive years, 1883 to 1885. On his elevation to the civic chair, his sister, Miss Rosa Powell, presented him with a massive gold chain and badge, and also robes, each successive mayor to add a link to the chain. Deceased was vice-chairman of the gas and water company and school board, and a director of the Monmouth Steam Saw-mills Company. He was an active Mason, a member of the Loyal Monmouth Lodge. a founder of the Loyal Monmouth Chapter, and a life governor of the Royal Masonic Institution for boys. He leaves a widow, three sons, and one daughter.

And the second from The Freemason's Chronicle, Oct. 26, 1895: page 4

"A SPRIG OF ACACIA."

THE death is announced of Alderman Champney Powell, of Cardiff, at the age of seventy-two years. Bro. Powell was an active member of the Loyal Monmouth Lodge, and one of the founders of the Chapter attached thereto. He was a Life Governor of the Boys School, and had won renown in the Order. In public life he had occupied a seat on the Cardiff Town Council since 1880, and was Mayor for three consecutive years, 1883 to 1885. He was vice-chairman of the Gas and Water Company and School Board, and a Director of the Monmouth Steam Saw Mills Company. He leaves a widow, three sons, and one daughter, with whom very great sympathy is felt in their bereavement.

 Spot the error!