Description:
Set of six silver tablespoons with rounded upturned handles and deep oval bowls, which are marked "N. Hurd" in roman letters in a rectangle on the back of the handles for Nathaniel Hurd (1729/30-1777), and engraved with the Dumaresq crest, an "ox affronte" or "bull passant" on the back of the handles. Hollis French describes a Dumaresq bookplate made by Nathaniel Hurd and signed "N. Hurd, Sculp." in which the crest is described as "A bull passant guardant proper." Nathaniel and his brother, Benjamin Hurd (1738-1781) were both trained by their father, Boston silversmith Jacob Hurd (1702/03-1758). Nathaniel was also known for his talent as an engraver, which included his silver engravings, trade cards, seal cutting and die sinking, political charicatures and engraved prints (see HD 61.147). Philip Dumaresq (1682-c.1744), the second son of french Huguenots Elias Dumaresq and Frances de Carteret, was first a Lieutenant in the Royal Navy. At the death of his mother, having inherited a part of her fortune, he left the Navy, and bought a ship in which he made voyages between Havre, Jersey and Boston, and brought many Huguenot families to the American colonies. At the time of his death he was Captain and owner of "the Young Eagle Letter of Marque of 30 guns" as shown by his commission from Jonathan Belcher (1681/2-1757), governor of Massachusetts and New Hampshire from 1730-1741 and governor of New Jersey from 1746-1757, and found among the papers of Thomas Hancock (1703-1764), a Boston merchant with whom he seems to have been engaged in business. On June 12, 1716, he married Susanah Ferry (c.1795-1775) of Boston, the only daughter and heiress of Henry Ferry, formerly of Havre de Grace, and added the quartering of Ferry to his arms. The records of the Probate Court of Boston list Susanah Dumaresq, widow, being appointed 30 January, 1744, guardian of her "son Philip Dumaresq, a minor aged about seven years, son of Philip Dumaresq, late of Boston, mariner deceased, with full power to receive any part and portion of estate, accruing to him in right of his grandfather Elias Dumaresq, Lord des Augres, late of the Island of Jersey deceased, and Madam Frances de Carteret his wife also deceased." Philip Dumaresq and Susannah Ferry left two sons and five daughters including Edward who married Mary Bouteneau; Philip who married Rebecca Gardiner; Susan, the first wife of Mathew Saumerez, the father of Admiral Lord de Saumerez; Douce who married George Bandinel of Jersey; Elizabeth; Anne who married Nicholas Mallet of Jersey; and Frances.
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https://museums.fivecolleges.edu/detail.php?t=objects&type=ext&id_number=HD+54.515 |
