Tankard

Description

This tankard began its life as a drinking vessel made by a prominent Philadelphia goldsmith/silversmith John Bayly (Bayley) for an unknown patron. Bayly's diverse business encompassed retailing imported jewelry and fancy goods from London, making small silver items for Native American trade negotiations as well as local patrons, having enslaved (or employed) African Americans skilled in the goldsmith trade (at least two), and in the 1760-70s leasing businesses (blacksmith, shopkeeper, public house) on his 160-acre property in Yellow Springs, Chester County. This tankard was engraved with a deeply appreciative dedication long after the maker's death and given to Philadelphia physician, Dr. William Rumsey (1789-1871). Alas, the presenter of the gift remains anonymous. Dr. Rumsey had family ties to Wilmington, Delaware where the tankard descended as a family heirloom.