A silver tablespoon John Edwards (1671-1746), Boston, MA, circa 1700

Oval bowl, flat handle, worn trefid end, "rattail" bowl back with floriate and scroll designs, engraved, "Seth Turner gave it to Bathsheba [sic] Stockbridge," to underside of handle, marked, "IE," to underside of handle.

L: 7 in. W: 1 3/4 in. (both), Total weight: 2.475 oz. t.

Note

Bathsheba Stockbridge (1706-1731) was born in Massachusetts to Joseph and Margaret Stockbridge. She married Colonel Ezekiel Turner (1700-1773), and together they had two daughters, Mary Torrey and Deborah Chamberlain. Seth Turner (1705-1743) was the brother of Ezekiel. While this spoon appears to be made earlier than the birth dates of Bathsheba, Ezekiel, and Seth, it may have been passed down through the Turner family, and eventually was gifted to Bathsheba by Seth, possibly as a wedding gift. However, this link remains unclear.

Provenance

S.J. Shrubsole, New York, New York, May 8, 1973

David Willis, Plainfield, New Jersey, July 31, 2003

A private New Jersey collection.

Literature

Kane, Patricia E., Colonial Massachusetts Silversmiths and Jewelers (Yale University Art Gallery, New Haven: 1998), pg. 417, for reference to mark "A"

Antiques Magazine (April 1973), Vol. 103, pg. 631, advertisement for S.J. Shrubsole, New York, New York.