Metals
Samuel Danforth (Maker)
Hartford, New Haven, Connecticut, New England, United States, North America
1795-1823
Pewter
Cast
1966.1191
Object Number1966.1191 |
Porringer
Metals
Bequest of Henry Francis du Pont
Samuel Danforth (Maker)
04//1774-1816
Samuel Danforth (of Middletown) is the grandson of Thomas I, son of Thomas II; brother to Thomas III, Joseph Sr, Edward, and Jonathan; uncle to Joseph Jr and Josiah; nephew of John (of Norwich); cousin to Samuel (of Norwich).
Nineteen members of the Danforth family, spread over five generations, became invovled with manufacturing pewter or britannia. Samuel (of Middletown) probably began training in about 1788 with his brother Joseph Sr, then working with Jonathan and then William. Upon completing his apprenticeship in 1795, he moved to Hartford, possibly working with an older brother Daniel. Samuel advertised, "Samuel Danforth and Co. have for sale a good assortment of new Pewter by wholesale and retail at the New York prices." Samuel seemed to specialize in ecclesiastical wares. Thomas Boardman completed the last several years of his apprenticeship with Samuel.
For more on Samuel Danforth's (of Middletown) marks, see John Carl Thomas, Connecticut Pewter and Pewterers (1976), p.108-109; Kauffman, The American Pewterer (1970), p.139; Ebert, Collecting American Pewter (1973), p.128-130; C. Jordan Thorn, Handbook of American Silver and Pewter Marks (1949), p.249; Carl Jacobs, Guide to American Pewter (1957), p.70-72; and Montgomery, History of American Pewter (1973), p.220. See also Thomas, Connecticut Pewter, p.50-145; Laughlin, Pewter in America (1981), vol.1, p.35-37.
Hartford, New Haven, Connecticut, New England, United States, North America
1795-1823
1. Mark; Handle, upper surface; "S" and "D" flanking the tail of an American eagle with a shield body and outstretched wings stamped in a serrated circle. The mark is partially effaced.
Pewter
Cast
1.969 (H) , 8.15 (W) , 5.63 (Diam)
5 (H) , 20.7 (W) , 14.3 (Diam)
The diameter is for the top of the object.
Text available soon.
[Book] Montgomery, Charles F. 1973 A History of American Pewter.
• Published: fig. 9-1, 9-2 (handle bracket) and 9-5, pp.146-150
[Book] The Pewter Collectors' Club of America Inc. 1984 Pewter in American Life.
• Published: p. 75