Richard Ferris is listed in the Freeman’s lists of 1784 and appears to have died in 1812.  In fact Richard Ferris made more sugar tongs than any of the other Exeter makers.  Most of Richard Ferris’s tongs are a flared bright cut style, although I have seen just one flared plain pair of tongs and a few straight bright cut tongs.  The engraving on his tongs is of a good quality and equally as good as most London makers.  This range of Richard Ferris tongs gives a good picture of the changes to the Exeter hallmarks, helping to date items a little better.