Hibition of Early Philadelphia-Made Silver at The

32 The Cost of Old Silver

THE COST OF OLD SILVEK By HARROLD E. GILLINGHAM Much interest has been aroused by the recent ex- hibition of early Philadelphia-made Silver at the house of the Colonial Dames of America in this city last Spring1 which by the way was pronounced as a dis- play without fault by a prominent Museum official. In considering the subject of the earliest silverware made in Philadelphia one naturally turns to the records left by the founder of this colony; but such ac- counts as are available throw little light on the cost of any particular piece of silverware which William Penn might have had made in this country. By con- sulting his Cash-book one finds that on 2nd. mo. 22d. 1700 he paid Johan Nys Goldsmith £2-10-0. This is the first mention of a Gold or Silversmith working in Phila- delphia. In the will of Samuel Holton proved May 30, 1715, he bequeathed to his daughter Mary a house in Front Street at the corner of Carpenter's Alley, Now in the tenure and occupation of John Nys, Silver Smith, hence we know where Nys lived. We also find that Johannis Nys was a witness to the will of James Spencer, a Mariner, signed April 6, 1713,2 and to the will of John Goadby, signed July 8, 1723.3'4 In the same Cash-book of William Penn, under date

*A Century of American Silver, 1725-1825, held March 21-23, 1929. 2 Book C, p. 343. 8 Book D., p. 361. 4Pennypacker, in his Settlement of Germantown, says that Jan Neuss a Mennonite and Silversmith from Crefeld received the right of Citizen- ship in 1698 and died before December 1724. But in Will Book D., p. 138, is recorded October 29, 1719, the will of John Neuss of Germantown, and in the will he is described as a Weaver, The Cost of Old Silver 33 of 12mo. 4th, 1701, is entered Pd ye Goldsmith Cesar Ghiselin £l-14-0.5 We gather no information of what silverware Penn paid for, in either of the above entries in his Cash- book. Caesar Ghiselin is said to have worked in Philadel- phia as early as 1695 and until 1718, when he moved to Annapolis, Maryland. It is natural to assume that with his position and wealth William Penn possessed much silverware or Plate as it was called at the time, most of which he probably brought from England. Fortunately his stewards have left us some record thereof, in the Catalogue of Goods Left at Pensbury the 3rd. of ye Tenth Month 1701. In the section of Linnen and Plate in ye great red Trunk, we find under the heading of Plate the following: "One large Tankard, 1 Bason, 6 Salts, 1 Shallot, 5 Plates, 7 Spoons, 1 little Spoon, 2 forks, 2 Porrengers, 2 little cups, one mkd. J. P. ye other H. C, 1 pr Snuffers, a small candle Stick, 1 Chafing Dish." On another list, headed "Plait carried to Pennsil- vania" we find: "1 large Tankard, 1 Plaited, 1 Porringer with ears and a Cover, 1 Caudle cup with 3 leggs & a porringor to cover it, 3 tumblers 1 larger 2 lessor, 1 taister, 6 spoons, 2 forks, 1 paire of snuffers, 1 handle cup, 2 things for Cruit tops, 1 new cup with a cower, 2 tank- erds was changed for 3 new Chaffendishes, 1 large 2 lesser & things to them to burn Spirits in, 1 large Snuf- fer pan with Candle stil in it. 1 large Plait with the Springets Arms that Springet's Grandmother Penn- ington Gave him. 1 little Candle Stick marked WPG, 5 Ensko, in American Silversmiths and their Marks> N. Y. 1927, says that Ghiselin worked in Philadelphia until 1718 when he removed to Annapolis and that John Steele, goldsmith, left him £100. in his will (Maryland Calendar of Wills), proved Sept. 7, 1722. Ghiselin died in 1733. VOL. LIV.—4. 34 The Cost of Old Silver 1 little Strong water bottle marked G- M S, 1 Saveall marked 6S, 1 Extinguisher, 1 little Standish with a drawer, 1 small Eunnell marked W P, 5 sweet meat Spoons, 1 childs drinking cup, 6 spoons with a Cross on them yt are used in the kitching, 4 came from Walthamstow 2 with a Cross 2 wthot. 1 we had before unmarked, 1 marked E B, 12 in all. 6 Egg spoons 3 marked with ye childrens names 3 marked WPG, 1 gone to Pennsilvania, 2 Cruit tops 2 taistors." This sounds like a lot of silverware for 1701 but considering how the Proprietor must have lived and entertained, one naturally wonders why there was not more flat silver, such as spoons and forks. As to the question of the cost of our first made silver, it is well known that no silver ore was produced in the Colony during the seventeenth or eighteenth centuries and the silversmiths depended entirely on the foreign coins received by the merchants and ship- pers of the day for their supply of metal from which to fashion the various articles which they made. Then too as there were no banks or safe-deposit vaults, and but few persons possessed iron "strong boxes" in which to store their wealth, many persons resorted to the custom of having their savings—in the form of gold and silver coins—melted and made into articles for household use. Also, if an evil disposed person should steal their silver spoons, tankards or tea-pots, these were not readily disposed of, as few persons would dare to purchase them and the thief could be easily captured. The pieces thus made were usually called Plate, an old English term applied to articles entirely of silver, and many such references are to be found in the early wills when "all my plate" was bequeathed to the wife or children. As the prosperous citizen generally supplied the coin from which the silversmiths fashioned the plate, it is not always possible to obtain the exact The Cost of Old Silver 35 cost of a piece of silver. Many of the entries in the craftsmen's books consulted, show where the customer is credited with so many ounces and pennyweights of silver and is then charged with the cost of fashioning the desired article. When our early Philadelphia silversmith Edmund Milne made General Washington's twelve Silver Camp Cups in August of 1777, his bill shows that he received 16 silver Dollars (probably Spanish coin) weighing 13 oz. 18 dwt. and the charge for the making, less the surplus silver was £6-13-0. As the pound was worth at that time about $3.00 the cost of the dozen cups was not exorbitant. His Excency. Gen. Washington to Edmd. Milne Dr. 1777 Aug*. 20th. To makg. 12 Silvr. Camp Cups, wt. 11 oz. @ 14/ea. £8-8-0 To the Whaist on do 1.3

oz. 12.3

Cr. By 16 Silvr. Dolls. wt. 13.18

Remaining 1.15 @ 20/p oz. 1-15-0

Balance due £6-13-0* The records left by one of our early silversmiths show almost throughout credits for silver by the weight thereof, or of so many Johannes or half Johannes; a gold coin of Portugal, much in circula- tion in the colonies, and so named for the reason that they bore the head of John V. then king of Portugal.

PHILIP SYNG The mere mention of Philip Syng as a Philadelphia silversmith brings to one's mind the beautiful silver inkstand in our old State House in Philadelphia, from which our early 'i signers'' drew the ink to validate the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of

s Francis Hill Bigelow's Historic Silver of the Colonies. 36 The Cost of Old Silver these United States, and which had cost the Pro- vincial Assembly £25-16-0. There were three local silversmiths named Philip Syng; father, son and grandson, but it is the second of the name who has left us that historic inkstand as one of the many specimens of his craftsmanship. Philip Syng, the elder, was born in Ireland in 1676 and came to Philadelphia in July, 1714, with Abigail (Murdock) his wife and three sons, Philip Jr., Daniel and John. Abigail died November 4, 1714, and Philip is believed to have married twice afterwards. Our earliest record of his shop is derived from the Amer- ican Weekly Mercury of May 12/19, 1720, when Rich- ard Warder, maker of Tavern Clay Pipes, advertised that he was "living under the same Roof with Philip Syng, Gold Smith, near the Market Place." It seems probable that this was the same shop occupied in 1736 by his son John Syng (q. v.). Philip moved to Annapo- lis, Maryland, where he died May 18, 1739, aged 63 years. While Philip Syng has left us no records of his charges, he has left several pieces of his handwork which are worth noting; such as the silver flagon 11 in. high, which Col. Robert Quary presented in 1712 to St. Mary's Church, Burlington, N. J.; the Baptismal basin owned by Christ Church Philadelphia, likewise the gift of Col. Quary the same year, and the silver Paten given to Holy Trinity Church, Oxford, Philadel- phia, which is said to have also been of his making. PHILIP SYNG, JR. (1703-1789), came here with his parents when but eleven years of age and became a silver craftsman. He was a member of Franklin's Junto, the predecessor of the American Philosophical Society; a director of the Library Company; a prominent citizen and Mason, and at a meeting held at the ''Indian King" on June 30, 1737, he was chosen Grand Warden of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania. The Cost of Old Silver 37 He was actively engaged in the trade of silversmith- ing and a careful and prolific worker, having his shop in Front Street, as shown by an advertisement in the Gazette of September 14, 1738, in a notice for sale of some land, saying '' Enquire of Philip Syng jun. Silver Smith, in Front Street." Just where this shop was is not stated, but it is believed to have been between Market and Chestnut Streets, where he apparently remained until his retirement from business and was succeeded by one of his workmen, Richard Humphreys (q. v.) in 1772. Philip Syng, Jr., married at Christ Church, February 5,1729/30, Elizabeth Warner, who died and was buried in Christ Church burial ground, October 3, 1786. They had several children, many of whom are mentioned in the will of his son Philip 3rd. He died May 8, 1789, aged 85 years, and was buried in Christ Church burial ground, May 10, 1789. Having died intestate, Letters of Administration of his estate were granted June 10, 1789. As these early craftsmen were versatile workers and in addition to designing and fashioning the various pieces of gold and silverware, did engraving as well, it is an engraver's bill of Philip Syng, Jr., to Mr. Rich- ard Peters that we turn to for the cost of his work- manship.

"Mr. Richd. Peters Dr. 1749 Nov:2d. to a Seal 3-14-6 1750 March 22 to Do for Cumberland Co. 4- 8-0 Oct 11 to Do for York 4-12-5 Dec 24 to a Seal for N. Scull 4-4-5 1752 Aug 5th. to 2 Do for Mr. Parsons 8- 6-11 £25- 5-5| Recd above in full Phil Syng" 38 The Cost of Old Silver Philip Syng, the third of the name, and likewise a silversmith, was the son of Philip (Jr.) and Eliza- beth Syng, and according to the records of Christ Church, was baptised January 27, 1733, when six weeks old. After his death he was interred in the burial grounds of the same church on November 14, 1760. His will was signed September 25, 1760, wherein he calls himself a silversmith, and was proved May 22, 1761.7 He appointed his father, Philip Syng, Executor and bequeathed to him a house and ground on Chestnut Street which he had bought of John Knowles. To his nine sisters and one brother (Joseph) he left each £50., so he seems to have had a comfortable fortune for the time when but 27 years of age. Sev- eral writers have confused this Philip with his father, usually spoken of as Philip, Jr. JOHN SYNG, the youngest son of Philip (Sr.) and Abigail (Murdock) Syng was married at Christ Church, September 16, 1736, to Deborah Harper and he too had a son Philip born June 1737. John was likewise a silversmith and apparently carried on business at his father's shop in Market Street, as his advertisement appeared in the Gazette of June 27th and July 4th, 1734, as follows: "ALL Sorts of Gold and Silver work made and mended, also Gold and Silver bought by John Syng, Goldsmith, in Market Street, over against the Market House, next Door but one to the Crown, Philadelphia.''

EDMOND MILNE The name of MILNE as a silversmith brings to one's mind those historic Camp Cups which Edmond Milne made for General Washington; but twenty years before that he was a craftsman of note whose workshop was on Market Street next door to the Indian King,

7 Book M., p. 114. The Cost of Old Silver 39 which had formerly been the shop of Charles Dutens for whom Milne had worked and whom he succeeded when Dutens went to the West Indies. By 1763 we find Milne had moved to Second Street near Market, at the Crown and three Pearls, as is noted in his advertisement in the Journal of December 15th of that year.

Vttmhtt. EDMOUD MILNE, ftUfmitb tod Jtvtltif, »t the Sign of the Crown and three FLARLS, nc*t Doorio the Corner of Marithflrret* in Sccv.d' p*tt% brgttcm tD'tirfbnn the PUBLIC, That he batjuft im- por*4 in ih# Uil VtlUlirrom L *do*, tn clcgtnc ASSORT* MfcNT ofGiUjmttb; and Jwtlarj HTgte According to this public notice he evidently imported all kinds of silver and plated articles for use and ornament, but at the same time he was making silverware, as well as ornaments for presentation as peace offerings to the Redmen who were such a source of annoyance to the extension of the colonial settle- ments. Herewith is a copy of his bill to George Croghan, a prominent Trader and Indian Agent in thaWesterBraddock't sectionn Pennsylvanias . expedition , oanf 177d wh5 oin wa thse acampaig Captain oinf 40 The Cost of Old Silver

George Croughon Bought of Edmond Milne. £ S To 18 Doz of Broaches at 8/s. pr Doz. 7-5 To 12 Doz of Ditto at US pr Doz 6-4 To 8 Doz of Ditto at US pr Doz 4-8 To 2 Doz of Crosses @ 12/ 1-4 To 6 Arm Bands @ 20/ 6-0 To 10 Rist Bands @ 8/ 4-0 To two Gorgets @ 25/ 2-10 £31-10 Received Contents from Geo. Croughan Edmond Milne.

The discovery of this document in the archives of The Historical Society of Pennsylvania is not only of interest to students of our early silversmiths, but to anthropologists as well, for it shows the Philadelphia craftsmen were called upon to supply such articles to the Indian Traders and Agents. Several students of early Indian silver ornaments have been on the search for years to prove the authenticity of some of these silver ornaments in Museums. It would be fortunate indeed if some of Milne's Indian ornaments could find a resting place in the museum of The Historical Society of Pennsylvania. Edmond Milne went to England in 1761, no doubt to make business connections with silver workers of London for many of the articles mentioned in the fore- going advertisement. Just when he retired from business is not known, but in 1799 he was one of the sureties for the Administration of his son's estate and is given as Gentleman of the Northern Liberties* His daughter Eliza Milne married John Eussell on 4th mo., 5th, 1793, and it is presumed there were no other children. Milne died February 4, 1822, aged 98 years,9 and his will, signed March 26, 1818, was proved February 7,

8 Estate of Edmond Milne Jr. Admins. Book K, p. 26, No. 371. 9 Burial Records, 2nd Baptist Church. The Cost of Old Silver 41 1822,10 wherein he described himself as Gentleman of Northern Liberties and left his entire estate to his wife Amelia.

RlCHAKD HUMPHEEYS When Phillip Syng, Jr., retired from business in 1772 and moved to Upper Merion Township he was succeeded by RICHARD HUMPHREYS, as is shown by the advertisement in the Packet of August 24 of that year.

RICHARD HUMPHREYS, GOLDSMITH, AVING taken the houfe in which PHILIP SVNO lately dwelt, lurthy infoims his friends and the Hpublic, that he now cairiet on the O^OLDSMI TH's Bufinefs in all itt branches, at the alorefairi plnce, a few j&oor% below the C otiee H< u(V, -Ahere he has for f*Je, a NEAT and GENERAL ASSORTMENT of G 0 JL D and SILVER WARE. Twofe who will pleafe to fa- vour him with their cuJtom,may he aifurcd oi httntmoit nlnlity togivf fat 15faction, Soth in the t]t*a!try and work- mmfhip 1 focft fxvuUrt will be gratefully acknowledged by theif fritffcl? RICHARD HUMPHREYS. ttfi faHferjher bnving lately removed into Upper Merion townitvipjiereby informs hit friends and for* Tmcrcuftoinert, that they may be fupplied aaufual, at his Life dwelling* by the above-namev! RICHARD HIM- J»HRfc YS^ whom he hereby recommend* to them as a per- f >i*ove bufinei'g will engige their futuiccon- ftifefpee and regard. PHILIP SYNC.

While working at the Sign of the Coffee-Pot, in Front street near the Coffee House, Humphreys fashioned some silverware for another of our prominent citizens—James Pemberton—and we are fortunate in finding among the collections of The Historical Society of Pennsylvania this bill:

10 Will Book 7, page 447. 42 The Cost of Old Silver

James Pemberton Esqr. To Richard Humphreys Dr. 1775 April 7th. to 12 Silver polisht Table Spoons £17-11-3 to 12 do do Tea do 4-17-3 . .12 to a pr do do Cans, Wt. 23 oz. 12 gr. at 14, 19-12-4 to a pr do do Spring Tea Tongs 1-4-9 to a do do fluted Soup Ladle 4-17-6 Engraving the above 2- 4-*- £50- 7-1 This gives conclusively the cost in the currency of the time of the several items, which is fortunate, as it is one of the few instances where no silver coin was given and we can readily calculate at about three dollars of today's value for each pound at that time. Our next public notice of Richard Humphreys is found in the Gazette of October 31, 1781, when he states he had removed to Front street near the Draw- bridge and next door to the Honourable Robert Mor- ris's. In 1785 we find him at Market Street between Second and Third streets and the directories of 1791 to 1797 state he was at 54 High Street, which was in the same block. He evidently added china-ware to his business for the directories of 1793 and 1794 class him as Silversmith and Crockery Merchant, and the following year he appears to have moved to the north side of the street, for he is listed at 227 High street.

RICHAKDSON Three generations of the Richardson family were silversmiths in Philadelphia. The first of the name, Francis (1681-1729) came to the city in 1690 and married Elizabeth Growden, 6mo., 30th, 1705, who bore him two sons, Francis who married Mary Fitzwater in 1742 and Joseph, who succeeded him in the silversmith business. Francis, Sr., married the second time, 4 mo., 30th, 1726. Lstitia Swift, an English woman, by The Cost of Old Silver 43 whom he had another son John. He died 6 mo., 17,1729 and by his will, proved August 29th, 1729,11 he left his oldest son Francis, 400 acres of land in Kent County on the Delaware, and to his wife and son Joseph he bequeathed his house and lot on South Front street, and to Joseph "all my working Tools, provided he continue and live with his mother in Law and carry on my Trade for her until he shall attain the full age of twenty one years." To "my Little son John Richardson'' he left a house on the South side of Chestnut Street occupied by John Noble. Joseph Richardson, son of Francis the first, was born 1711 and died in 1784, aged 73 years. He married 6mo., 3,1741, Hannah Worrill who died 12, 4,1748, and by whom he had one child, Elizabeth, born 3mo. 21, 1742/3. He again married, Mary Allen (daughter of Nathaniel Allen) 2mo. 14, 1748, and had five children, Hannah, Mary, Joseph, Nathaniel (both of whom were silversmiths) and Rebecca. Joseph's will, signed August 17, 1784, was proved October 11, 1784.12 He bequeathed to his wife Mary (Allen) his "house and lot on Front Street where I now dwell." To his sons Joseph and Nathaniel he left his Shop and "my Shew Glass, working tools and utensils of trade." To his eldest daughter, Elizabeth, he left his "pint Silver Tankard, my half pint Silver Porringer and two table Spoons." The other children were equally remem- bered. Joseph Richardson, Sr., has left us many records of his work as a silversmith, as well as the charges therefor. These early craftsmen seem to have carried on an interchange of business together, as we find Richardson charged Philip Syng, Jr., with many items. One entry in 1733 is "To a Silver Snuff Box, to fashing ye bx. 12s." And on the same date Syng is credited

11 Book E, p. 111. 12 Book Q, p. 407, No. 344. 44 The Cost of Old Silver with having supplied "A Shell for a Sword hilt" and for "fashing of Spoons and other things," showing conclusively they worked for each other. Under the heading of Clock Business he enters "graving a face 7/6; glaseing 2 arch Clock Cases 16/; Glaseing 2 square do 12/, and graving 3 faces £1." In another page he charges John Wood, a clock maker of the time, "to 5 Clock faces £8-14-0" showing that Eichardson did engraving as well. On March 1,1737/8, George Emlen is charged with '' 2 tea Potts, 2 Weight- ers, 2 Shugar Dishes, 2 Slop bowls, 1 Milk pott, a Spoon Boat and a Breakfast Bowl, weighing in silver 113 oz. 5 dwt. 6 gr. @ 8/6 pr. oz. £48-2-8. To Making the above £18-6-6." According to the ledger this order seems to have been paid for in cash; there is no credit for silver coin, yet we cannot calculate the cost of any one article. On December 7, 1734, he charged Jeremiah Elfreth "To a Silver Tankard, wt. 34oz. 15 dwt. @ 9/6 pr. oz. £16-10-1," and his brother Francis Eichardson is charged £18-18-3 for a pint Tankard weighing 36oz. 18dwt., and again "Bro. Fra" is charged £8-10-0 for "two movements, 30 hours & 8 days." But whether Eichardson made these or imported them we know not. That all his business was not on a cash basis is evi- denced by an account with Eichard Wall, who at one time took in trade a pair of gold buttons for 2^ cords of oak wood; and again a pair of women's buckles, a pair of man's buckles and a pair of knee buckles were exchanged for four cords of wood. We find that in 1739 "Elizabeth Duchee is Dr to a pair of Tee Tongs 14/" and by a contra entry she is credited "By Washing Lennen 5s; By 25 lb of Eice @ 2d^-5s, l^d; By Cash Eecd in full 3s-9^." The reader will notice the addition is 1 penny short, but it is so recorded in Eichardson's book. On 4th mo. 14, 1745, William Peeters is debited "To a Clock and Case, £17. to be Paid for in Stones The Cost of Old Silver 45 to be Dd at my Lot at 6/ per pearch, £17." And we find the following year credit given for the delivery and hauling thereof. On 4th mo., 1st, 1745, he noted that he "Reed of Kathern Knowles 5 oz. 1 dwt. 12 gr. of Silver to be made into a Milk Youre" and on 6th mo., 22nd, "Kath- ern Knowles Dr. to a Milk Yonre wt. 5 oz., 4 dwt. fashion £1-5-0." An entry of the 16th of 7th mo., 1745, shows he "Recd. of Sarah Robeson 39 oz. 6 dwt. of Silver and 7/6 Starling in English Silver to be made into 3 Poringers, a Weighter & a pr of Salts, Mark1. S.R." For which later entries show she was charged £3-19-0 for the making thereof. On 6th mo., 5th, 1748, Anthony Morris is charged

"To a Tea Pott, wt. 16 oz. H dwt. (<2 8/6 £6-16-7 To fashion 3. To a Weighter 6-15-3 To a Shugar Dish 5-16-0 To a Milk Pott 3- 6-4 To a Slop Bowl 6- 8-9 But not having the size or weight we cannot readily compare the actual cost of each article, nor compare prices with other pieces. Among his customers entered on the books of Joseph Richardson appear the names of many who were prominent in the affairs of the city and colony; such as James Logan, Thomas Willing, Andrew Hamilton, Samuel Powell, Richard Hill, Christopher Witt; Charles, Isaac and Deborah Norris; as well as mem- bers of the Lloyd, Coates and Kinsey families. Joseph Richardson, Sr., struck the silver medals which the Friendly Association for Preserving Peace with the Indians caused to be made in 1757 for presentation to friendly Indians; as well as the Kitanning medal given by the City of Philadelphia to the soldiers in that campaign.13

13 See Penna. Magazine, Vol. LI, April, 1927, pp. 101-3. 46 The Cost of Old Silver The third generation of this family of silver craftsmen is represented by Joseph, Jr., and Nathaniel Rich- ardson, sons of Joseph the elder. Nathaniel remained single, but Joseph married 6mo. 15th, 1780, Ruth Hos- kins (daughter of John and Mary Hoskins), who predeceased her husband. Joseph and Nathaniel Rich- ardson carried on the business for some years at 50 South Front street below Walnut, and later Nathaniel is listed as an ironmonger. When Joseph, Jr., died in 1831 he was living on the North side of High Street between 9th and 10th streets. His will signed 4mo., 9th, 1829, and proved April 12, 1831,14 bequeathed to his son John "my scales & Weights and Silver smith Tools and a Silver cup with General Washington's Arms on." This cup is still cherished by one of his descendants. The following bill is interesting, from the fact that it shows the Richardsons carried on their business during the height of the War for Independence.

Philada 11th. mo: 19th. 1779 Michael Gratz Bo*, of Joseph & Nath1. Richardson A Sett of Silver Castor a Bread Basket, 12 Silver handled Knives & forks & a Marrow Spoon in a Case wt. 112 oz-15 dwt £75-0-0 Recd at same time fifty four pounds in part payment of the above Pr. Joseph Richardson JunV Their bill of 1781 to Marry Norris is elucidating in that it shows the weight and actual cost of the dozen table-spoons and the twelve tea-spoons with feathd. handles and the charge for Cyphering the twenty-four pieces seems reasonable enough to us, and proves that they were not given to overcharging their clients. Joseph Richardson, Jr., made many Indian silver ornaments and many of the oval silver Indian Peace Medals bearing Washington's name and figure on the obverse. A silver Gorget and one of the Washington

"Book 10, page 42. The Cost of Old Silver 47 48 The Cost of Old Silver The Cost of Old Silver 49 Medals are in the collections of The Historical Society of Pennsylvania. Others bearing his maker's mark— J. E. are in the American Numismatic Society of New York; the Chicago Historical Society; the Kansas City Public Library and various private collections. In the directory of 1791 Joseph and Nathaniel Rich- ardson are listed as Silversmiths, while those for 1793 to 1800 give Joseph's occupation as a Silversmith and that of Nathaniel as an Ironmonger, which would in- dicate their separation about 1792. Joseph Richardson, Jr., was an Assayer of the United States Mint in 1795, which position was also held by his son John under President Jackson. "While considering the subject of cost of silverware, or Plate, in the eighteenth century, it might not be amiss to mention how such household possessions were valued early in the following century. Among the manuscrips found in The Historical Society of Penn- sylvania is the appraisement of the silverware belonging to John Nixon, who died in January 1809. As is known, Nixon was a prominent citizen of the period, and it was he who read—for the first time—before the public, the Declaration of Independence from the stand in the rear of the State House in what is now called Independence Square. His house "Fairfield" was on the Wissahickon Road (now Ridge Avenue) north of Peel Hall, the home of Oswald Peel, on the present site of Girard College. Nixon was born in Philadelphia in 1733, baptised in Christ Church, April 17, 1734/5, and died in 1808. His will, signed Decem- ber 4, 1807, was proved January 5, 1809.15 Therein he bequeathed his Plate to his several children and grandchildren. His only son, Henry, was Executor, and his daughters were Mary, wife of Francis West; Sarah, wife of William Cramond; Jane, wife of

15 Will-book 2, page 415. VOL. LIV.—3. 50 The Cost of Old Silver Thomas M. Willing, and Elizabeth, wife of Eric B. Bollman, who had predeceased John Nixon. This appraisement is the more interesting from the fact that it was made by Joseph Lownes, himself a gold and silversmith of some note in Philadelphia, whose shop from 1785 to 1792 was at 130 South Front street, near the Draw-bridge over Dock Creek.

"A list of Plate belonging to the Estate of J. Nixon. 11 Table Weight Rate Amount 5 ditto

16 Spoons, 20 oz 7dwt. § $1.13 pr. oz. $22.99 to Mrs. West Company plate 29 oz. 13dwt. ( 9 « 6 " ditto 10.51 to Mrs. Willing 1 Coffee pot 26 " 1.07 27.82 Mrs West 2 Salts old 6 " do 6.42 T. Willing 1 small waiter 7 " 4dwt. do 7.70 H. Nixon 1 old Tankard 27 " 11 " do 29.47 Mrs. Cramond 2 Pints 23 " 2 « 1.20 27.72 H. Nixon Castors 40 " 6 " 1.25 50.37 ditto Porringer 7 " 8 " 1.07 7.91 T. Willing Ladle, old 5 " 8 " do 5.77 ditto 4 Salts 11 " 7 " do 12.14 H. Nixon 12 Tablespoons 18 " 5 " 1.121 20.53 ditto 12 desert &\ 13 " 13 " 1.25 17.06 ditto 2 Ladles J 6 desert 5 " 13 « do 7.06 Mrs. West 13 Tea Spoons 5 " 17 " 1.07 6.25 T. Willing 1 Sugar tongs 1 " 10 " do 1.60 ditto 5 Salt spoons 2 " do 2.14 H. Nixon 2 do (old) 0 13 do .69 T. Willing 1 Silver Skewer 3 " 2 " 1.50 4.65 ditto 1 Silver punch 2 " 1.20 2.40 H. Nixon Ladle 6 tea Spoons, 2 " 11 " 1.07 2.73 Mrs. West $273.93 Weighed & valuedL by Joseph Lownes, Jan'y 20th. 1809." As was customary at the time, John Nixon was also possessed with a goodly portion of Sheffield Plate, or as some called it "plaited-ware." Sheffield Plate is not plated ware, as we know it today, but was an ex- The Cost of Old Silver 51 cellent quality of ware, made of a sheet of solid silver fused to a heavier plate of copper, so that what showed on the surface was pure silver, and not a plating by acid or battery process. Nixon's household articles of this Sheffield plate are as follows:

"A list of plaited-ware belonging to the Estate of J. Nixon. H. Nixon @ $4. Pr. Pr. $8.00 Candlesticks 1 pr Ditto i F. West a 4.00 2 pr round ditto W. Cramond @ 3. 6.00 1 pr Small ditto H. Nixon @ 1.25 1.25 1 pr do do W. Cramond ditto 1.25 2 do Coasters ditto ditto 2.50 1 " " Mrs. Willing a 1.25 2 Goblets T. Willing 6.00 1 fish Trowel W. Cramond 1.00 1 Cream basket ditto .50 1 bread basket H. Nixon 6.00 1 pr Snuffers ^ F. West 2.00 plated stand]

$39.75 Valued by Joseph Lownes." Surely these valuations were made by Lownes to save estate taxes, for one can scarce imagine the prosperous John Nixon having but $313 worth of silverware in "Fairfield." It is greatly to be desired that those who possess silver of the eighteenth century, which was made by any of our Philadelphia silversmiths, will present such pieces to The Historical Society of Pennsylvania, where they will be well cared for and exhibited for students of the subject to examine and admire.