Description:
Silver tablespoon with a pointed oval bowl, short neck, and downturned fiddle-end handle, which is marked "N.STORRS" in a rectangle on the back of the handle for Nathan Storrs (1768-1839), and engraved with the initials "PM" in script on the handle for Pamela Merritt (1800-1854), the daughter of Simeon Merrtt (1762-1829) and Pamela Baker (1766-1843) of Conway, Massachusetts, who married in 1792. This spoon was part of a collection of silver spoons from the Viola Wilby estate. According to a handwritten list of family objects in the file by Elizabeth Hawks Wells (1845-1938), the wife of George Merritt Wells (1839-1883) of Deerfield: "The four silver teaspoons marked "P.M" came from Conway - Pamela Merritt - was a sister of Sarah Merritt Wells - the mother of George Merritt Wells." and "The P.M." tablespoons came from Conway - Pamela Merritt - George Merritt Wells' aunt." Sarah Merritt Wells (b.1796) was the mother of George Merritt Wells (1839-1883) of Deerfield. Born in Mansfield, Connecticut, Nathan Storrs trained with Jacob Sargeant (1761-1843), originally a clock and watchmaker who expanded to silversmithing and jewelry making, in Springfield, Massachusetts. In 1791, Nathan Storrs moved to Northampton, staying there until his death in 1839. Storrs was also a watch and clockmaker who diversified and supplemented his trade as a silversmith by making surveying instruments, cutlery, and other objects. On July 6, 1791, he advertised his "Silver Table and Tea Spoons" for sale in the "Hampshire Gazette." He had two partners over the years: Jedidiah Baldwin (1768-1849) from 1792-1794 when Baldwin left for Hanover, NH; and Benjamin E. Cook from 1827-1834 as Storrs & Cook until Storrs sold his interest to Cook and retired; his shop was on Shop Row, former site of E. J. Gare and Son, Inc.
Link to share this object record:
https://museums.fivecolleges.edu/detail.php?t=objects&type=ext&id_number=HD+2009.26.25 |
