Coffee Pot
Paul Revere, Jr.
(American, 1734–1818)
1772
Object PlaceBoston, Massachusetts
Medium/TechniqueSilver, wood
DimensionsOverall: 30.5 x 23.5 cm (12 x 9 1/4 in.)
Credit LineGift of Thomas H. Townsend
Accession number2019.1785
ClassificationsSilver hollowware
InscriptionsD
I E
in shaded Roman letters on the base
"HP to FBT / 1863" entwined, sprigged script on bodyProvenance1772, commissioned by Richard Derby (b. 1712 – d. 1781), Salem [see note 1]; to his son, Captain John Derby IV (b. 1741 – d. 1812) and Elizabeth Cheever Derby (b. 1758 – d. 1831), Boston [see note 2]; to his niece, Anstiss Derby Pickman (b. 1769 – d. 1836) [see note 3]; to her son, Benjamin T. Pickman (b. 1790 – d. 1819) and Hannah Smith Pickman (b. 1794 – d. 1863); 1863, to her niece, Frances Barnard Smith (Mrs. Thomas Davis) Townsend (b. 1832 – d. 1916), Boston [see note 4]; 1917, to her son, Charles Wendell Townsend (b. 1859 – d. 1934); 1924, to his son Charles Townsend (b. 1901– d. 1968); 1968, to his wife, Katharine Howard Townsend (b. 1898 – d. 1987), Boston; 1988, by inheritance to her son, Thomas H. Townsend, Boston; 2019, gift of Thomas H. Townsend to the MFA. (Accession Date: September 25, 2019)
NOTES:
[1] Ordered in 1772 by Richard Derby, probably on his marriage to Sarah Langlee Hersey, of Hingham (b. 1714, widowed 1770, m. Derby October 16, 1771, d. 1790).
[2] D over IE engraved on the bottom of the pot. Elizabeth Cheever was his second wife, m. October 17, 1787; she was the widow of Nathaniel Peirce (b. 1754 – d. 1783).
[3] Anstiss was the daughter of John’s brother, Elias Haskett Derby.
[4] H. P. to F.B.T. 1863 engraved on the side of the pot. Lent by Mrs. T. D. Townsend to the MFA, March 28, 1910.
