Tablespoon
- Object Name:
- Tablespoon
- Object ID:
- 1966.038.03
- Creator:
- Bedford, John
- Place of Origin:
- Fishkill, NY
- Date:
- 1790-1800
- Description:
- Tablespoon. Silver. Pointed ended handle with downturned end. Egg-shaped bowl. Wriggle-work drop, including V-shaped line on the inside, and a corresponding scalloped line on the outside. Engraving, bright work, and wriggle-work decoration on front of handle. Engraved in block letters "S : L / to / B : C" within a wriggle-work oval. Scalloped wriggle work line surrounds the oval. Design continues down remainder of handle, including wriggle-work and bright-work simulating a bellflower drop. Stamped on back of stem/handle, twice, in uppercase script, "JB", in a plain rectangle with rounded corners.
- Material:
- Metal
Silver - Dimensions:
- W-1.625 L-8.6 inches
- Provenance:
- According to a 1936 note (from Bessie Plumer Pearson Norris of Epping, NH, b.c.1857 a.k.a. "Aunt Bessie," to donor, Ruth Pike Shields, 1894/8-1988), which is said to have once accompanied spoon : "When your great great great grandmother, Sarah Longfellow Cilley, wife of General Joseph Cilley (of Revolutionary fame) knew that she could only live a short time-she had six tablespoons made-one for each child, and this is one that was made for and given to your great great grandmother Betsey Cilley who married Samuel Plumer. They were the parents of Betsey Plumer, who married George Washington Plumer, and they were the parents of Katherine J. Plumer Pearson, your grandmother (your mother's mother). This spoon came to me from the oldest daughter of the oldest sister of your great grandmother (Betsey Plumer)." As per the note above, the spoon was originally given by Sarah Longfellow Cilley (d.1811, Nottingham, NH) to her daughter Betsey (aka Elizabeth Ann, wife of Samuel Plumer). From Betsey to her oldest daughter's (probably Nancy Plumer) oldest daughter (undetermined). From her to Bessie Plumer Pearson Norris, and then to Bessie's niece, Ruth Pike Shields (donor).
- Credit Line:
- Gift of Ruth Pike Shields and Katherine Pike Foster
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