Object Number 1956.0046.019

Object Name

Plate

Category

Metals

Credit Line/Donor

Gift of Charles K. Davis

Creator (Role)

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.

Place of Origin

Hartford, New Haven, Connecticut, New England, United States, North America

Date

1795-1816

Mark or Signature or Inscription or Label

1. Mark; Underside, base, at center; "S D" with an American eagle with a shield body and outstretched wings, directed toward the right with radiants all stamped within a circle. The mark is partially effaced at lower right.
2. Mark; Underside, base, at center; "S D" with an American eagle with a shield body and outstretched wings, directed toward the right with radiants all stamped within a circle. The mark is partially effaced at lower right.

Materials

Pewter

Techniques

Cast

Dimensions (inches)

0.63 (H) , 6.181 (Diam)

Dimensions (centimeters)

1.6 (H) , 15.7 (Diam)

Object Description

Text available soon.