Description:
Pewter bed pan made for Hiram Smith, a tavern keeper in South Hadley, Massachusetts. Hiram Smith, Sr., was known as "King Hiram" for his many enterprises. Also know as "The Boatman." According to Everts (1879), "Hiram Smith early turned his attention to navigation on the Connecticut River, and by his energy and business ability probably did more than any other person to open up the commerce of the Upper Connecticut. This was before the day of railroads when the river was the great highway of commerce in Western Massachusetts. So great was his influence at one time, and so far reaching his ideas and plans, that he was universally known on the river as "King Hiram." He was a valuable and useful citizen, and served his town in various offices for many years. He represented South Hadley in the General Court in MA. He was frequently called upon to set off widow's dowers, and to administer the estates of deceased friends, as well as attend to other kinds of public services, being known far and wide as a man of most excellent judgement and of strict integrity. In the latter part of his life he was engaged in farming." The reverse of pan is stamped: "BOARDMAN & CO. NEW-YORK" and three eagles marks, and "HIRAM SMITH/ SOUTH HADLEY/ 1833". Boardman and Company was only active from 1825-1827. The circular pan has a slanted, incurving rim and detachable handle with threaded fitting. The handle is baluster-shaped with a scribed base and bulbous tip.
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