Boat, Pap

Object Name:

Boat, Pap

Object ID:

2025.055

Creator:

Newell Harding & Co. -- Silversmith

Place of Origin:

Boston, MA

Date:

1860

Description:

Boat, Pap. Coin silver pap boat or invalid feeder with gold washed interior, c. 1860. Engraved "Dr. Noah Martin" on one side and "December 1860" on the other. Stamped on underside with "N. HARDING & CO. / BOSTON / COIN / M & P".

Material:

Silver

Dimensions:

H-1.75 W-2.625 D-4.75 inches

Provenance:

This silver pap boat was a gift to physician and former governor Noah Martin (1801-1863) of Dover. He was born in Epsom, New Hampshire, on July 26, 1801 as one of eight children of Sally Cochran Martin and cobbler Samuel Martin. He attended school in Epsom and received private tutoring from the Rev. Jonathan Curtis before attending Pembroke Academy. He apprenticed with physicians in Pembroke and Deerfield for three years before enrolling at Dartmouth College. Martin was one of twenty-eight men who graduated in 1824 with a degree of doctor of medicine. On October 25, 1825 in Great Falls (now Somersworth) Dr. Martin married Mary Jane Woodbury (1804-1880), the daughter of Dr. Robert Woodbury of Barrington. The couple eventually had daughters Elizabeth Abiah Martin (1826-1889) and Caroline Matilda Martin (1827-1910). After a decade the family relocated to Dover in 1834.

Martin was extensively involved in professional, political, social, and financial organizations from the 1830s until his death. As a physician this included being a member of the Strafford District Medical Society from 1835 to 1863 and serving as its president from 1841 to 1842. In 1836 he was elected as a fellow of the New Hampshire Medical Society and became its president in 1858. In 1849 he was the founder and first president of the Dover Medical Association.

In politics he was elected as a Democrat to the New Hampshire House of Representatives in 1830, 1832, and 1837. And he was elected to the New Hampshire Senate in 1835 and 1836. Martin was elected governor twice, in 1852 and 1853. After leaving office he returned to his medical practice in Dover.

Given this extensive and incomplete list of governmental, social, and community service (he was also a Mason and an Odd Fellow), it's not clear from whom or why Martin received the silver pap boat in December 1860. It could have marked the end or beginning of a professional appointment or simply been a Christmas gift.

Credit Line:

Richard F. Upton New Hampshire Silver Collection, Gift of William W. Upton

People:

Martin, Noah (1801-1863)

Subjects:

Silverware industry, Silverwork, Silverware, Silversmiths, Medical care, Medical equipment and supplies, Doctors