E. and S. Poynder
of London
The object seen in the photograph set a challenge. It bears the information ‘E & S Poynder St MM 1835 London’. The initials refer to the location – the west entrance to St Magnus the Martyr, London Bridge. There is another wall-mounted cast iron plate in the locality (see below). It has been suggested that they may be boundary markers. However the one illustrated, located in a corner outside St Magnus's church, has a small hinged access cover. In a nearby corner is another mystery item, which may or may not provide a clue: a pipe and valve. It would not be surprising to find gas pipes at this early date, but here we have the type of valve used for high pressure hydraulic systems. The London public hydraulic system did not appear until a much later date.
The other plate, dated 1838, is attached to the base of The Monument. A source [1] says that it is thought to be a parish boundary marker. The inscription includes 'St. M.N.F.' which is the Parish of St. Margaret New Fish Street, and the source gives the names Edward & Samuel Poynder and provides birth and death dates.
Another source[2] shows a good photo of the damaged item at The Monument, with the suggestion that it is a boundary marker. However, close examination of the photo shows a small protruding square iron spigot: possibly associated with a valve? The plate is broken and incomplete, and it is possible that it has been relocated, possibly from a corner like the St Magnus example.
Following the leads provided in the 'Ancestory.com' source, we find from the 1851 that brothers Edward and Samuel Poynder were retired plumbers, then resident in Hawkhurst. It therefore seems most likely that the items were 'fire plugs' (fire hydrants).
In 1814 E & S Poynder were listed as plumbers, 10 Clement's Lane, London[3]