The Colonial Silversmith

Peter Oliver (1682-1712), the 9^th great-uncle of my sons, was a well-known colonial silversmith In Boston, Massachusetts. A silversmith is a person who crafts objects from silver and need to go through an apprenticeship to learn the craft.

Peter was one of six siblings – one of two boys, and his parents were Peter Oliver (1682-1712) and Susanna Sweet (16471684). In 1695, at the age of 13, Peter was apprenticed to John Coney, a master silversmith, to learn the silversmith trade. (An interesting side note is that Paul Revere’s father was also an apprentice of John Coney.)

Peter was married two times. His first wife, Jerusha Mather (1684-1710), was the daughter of the well-known Puritan minister Increase Mather. Peter and Jerusha were married on March 8, 1709, in Boson, and had one daughter who only lived for five months. After Jerusha’s death in 1710, Peter married Hopestill Winslow (1680-1754) on March 1, 1711, in Boston. Peter died the following year on April 27, 1712, at the young age of 30. Peter and Hopestill did not have any children.

At the time of Peter’s death, there were several epidemics spreading throughout New England: measles, smallpox, and “malignant distemper” (aka influenza).  So, Peter, his daughter, and his first wife, could have been victims of any of these illnesses. In fact, as part of his opening statement in his Last Will and Testament, Peter—anticipating his death—states that he was “sick and weak in Body but of sound and perfect memory and understanding, blessed be God, and not knowing how soon I may department this life make my Last Will and Testament. . . .” Peter died three days after the writing of his Will.

Peter was, and still is, known for his excellent silversmithing. So, let’s look at some of his most well-known pieces.

This first piece is a chocolate pot. It was made about 1705, is 10½ inches high, and weighs 26

ounces. It was made for Beulah Jacquette Coates, whose husband, Thomas Coates, was also a silversmith. Today, this chocolate pot is in a private collection.

Next, a porringer made about 1710. The porringer is engraved with the initials TBM for Thomas and Mary Barton who were married in 1710. Today, this piece is in Boston’s Museum of Fine Arts.

The third piece is a flagon. It was made in 1711, is 11-7/8 inches high, and weighs over 47 ounces. The flagon is engraved "Mrs. Elizabeth Wensley / To the Second Church / of Christ in / Boston / 1711." The flagon, made as a gift, was presented to the Second Church of Christ after the death Elizabeth Wensley, who died in 1711.  Mrs. Wensley was the mother of Peter’s second wife Hopestill Winslow. And, Hopestill’s step-father, was the minister of the Second Church of Church. Today, this piece is in the Winterthur Museum and Library in Delaware – a former du Pont family residence.

Below is Peter's silversmith mark he would have used on all the pieces he made.

It's too bad that Peter died at such a young age. Just think of the silver pieces that he could have completed.

 ______________

Sources used:

Caufield, Ernest. “The Pursuit of a Pestilence.” Proceedings of the Antiquarian Society, April 1950, pp. 21-52. Accessed 2-5-2020 at: http://www.americanantiquarian.org/proceedings/44807204.pdf

            Voss, William Erik. “Silversmiths & Related Craftsmen.” American Silversmiths, Rootsweb, 2014, freepages.rootsweb.com/~silversmiths/genealogy/makers/silversmiths/index.htm

Fathers Who Fish

What is it that attracts people to fishing? Is it the thrill of the chase, catching a meal, or just relaxing? I, myself, have never really been attracted to fishing, but the men (and one granddaughter) in my family love to fish.

My father, Frank George Newhouse (1906-1972); my brother, Douglas Frank Newhouse (1948-2003); my son, Patrick Alan Oliver, and his children Daniel, Tyler, and Ashleigh were or are fishing enthusiasts.

My dad, Frank, was not a hunter – except for game birds – but he did fish. He did not camp out in the wild; but, if there was a resort cabin near a fishing lake, river, or stream, he was all gung-ho.  Since we lived in Minnesota, his fishing was on one of the many “10,000 great lakes,” trout streams, and the Mississippi River. I grew up loving to eat freshwater fish.

Frank Newhouse - late 1940s

My brother, Doug, was introduced to fishing before he was five years old by my dad. His first fish, a trout, was captured in the below picture (look below the arrow). I have memories of him coming home from a couple of hours of fishing in the local lake with a whole bunch of bullheads. I thought they looked disgusting, and I do not remember ever eating them. However, my mom, Florence Swinburne Newhouse (1907-1997), always told Doug that she would cook whatever he brought home, as long as he cleaned it.  So, even though I do not remember eating bullheads – my husband has assured me they are edible – we must have had them at plenty of suppers as Doug kept bringing them home.

Doug's first fish with Dad looking on

Then there is my son, Patrick. When he was about seven years old, he talked my husband, Jim, into teaching him how to fish (and clean the fish), even though Jim, himself, is not a fisherman. [However, as a child, he did go fishing with his grandfather George Myron Oliver (1871-1953)]. From that time forward, there was no looking back. Patrick started fishing in Minnesota and continued to pursue this sport as he traveled around the U.S. during his 20-plus years in the military. Today, he is fishing in Virginia with his two sons Daniel, aged 12; Tyler, aged 9; and occasionally, his daughter Ashleigh, aged 6. I do not know if his children like to fish, but they always have a smile on their faces in the pictures I have seen.

Daniel getting some help from dad and then showing off his fish - May 2019

 As Father’s Day approaches, I cannot help but reflect on the fathers in my family who taught their children to fish. I think for the fathers the appeal of this pastime is about spending time with family, spending time relaxing, spending time in the great outdoors, and spending time making memories with their children.

Tyler with dad holding a whopper - 2016

Ashleigh - her 1st fish, 2017 (Dad is helping to hold it)

Epitahs - Headstone Poetry

I have always been interested in headstone art and epitaphs. The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines an epitaph as “an inscription on or at a tomb or a grave in memory of the one buried there.” Additionally, it is defined as “a brief statement commemorating a deceased person.”  Here are some epitaphs I recently came across in my research which speak to character and death.  

Robert W. Oliver

Robert W. Oliver (1768-1829) is the 6^th great uncle of my sons. He was born in the Massachusetts Bay Colony and died in the state of New York. He was a veteran of the War of 1812. He is buried in the Ingraham Cemetery in Ingraham, New York. His headstone reads as follows:

In Memory of

Robert Oliver

who departed this

life Dec 30^th 1829

Tis finished tis done the spirit is fled,

The prisoner is gone the Christian is dead.

The Christian is living through Jesus’ love,

And gladly receiving a Kingdom above.

Samuel Swift

Samuel Swift (1683-1747) is the 1^st cousin 10x removed of my sons. He was born and died in the Massachusetts Bay Colony. Samuel was one of the wealthiest and most influential men in the town of Wilton: He was a Colonel in the militia, a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas (trial court), and moderator of town meetings. He is buried in the Milton Cemetery in Milton, Massachusetts. His headstone reads as follows:

Here lies Inter’d the Remains of SAMUEL SWIFT Esq who departed this Life Oct 13 1747 age 64 years.

Who never did a Slander forge

His Neighbour’s Fame to wound;

Nor Hearken to a False Report

By Malice whispered round.

Who to his plighted Vows and Trust

Had ever Firmly stood,

And Tho’ he promis’d to his Loss

He made his Promise good.

  

Anna Swift

Anna Holman Swift (1680-1769) is the wife of the above Samuel Swift. She was born and died in the Massachusetts Bay Colony. Anna was the mother of 11 children. She is buried in the Milton Cemetery in Milton, Massachusetts. Her headstone reads as follows:

Her lie inter’d the Remains

of Mrss. ANN SWIFT the

virtuous Consort of

SAMUEL SWIFT ESQ.r

SHE exchanged this life for

A better MAY 19^th 1762 in the

82d Year of her Age.

Reader remember thou art born to die,

Hark from the Grave to you this is my Cry;

Withdraw, prepare, think, Act Accordingly.

Luke, XVI 31.

Sarah Swift Adams (1711-1774) is the daughter of the above

Sarah Adams

Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Swift.  Sarah was born and died in the Massachusetts Bay Colony. Like her mother, she was also the mother of 11 children. She is buried in the Milton Cemetery in Milton, Massachusetts. Her headstone reads as follows:

In memory of

MRS. SARAH ADAMS

late Consort of Mr. John Adams

who died Nov. 16^th, 1774

aged 63 tears

Death is a debt to nature due,

As she has paid it so must you.

As she has paid it so must you.

In life then strive to get prepared,

To fly with her to meet the Lord.

All of the Swift headstones have a winged head. The head is referred to as the “death head.” Adding the wings, signifies that life is a fleeting thing.

Note:  All images are from Find A Grave website.