Samuel Vernon
Maker
Title
Medium
Materials/Techniques
Dimensions
Signature / Inscription / Marks
This unusually large tankard bears lengthy inscriptions indicating its significance as an heirloom of the Ellery family of Newport beginning in the eighteenth century and continuing through the twentieth century:
“This tankard / was bequeathed a.d. 1743 / by Benjamin Ellery of Newport, r.i. / to his son Wm. Ellery, the father of William Ellery, / one of the Signers of the Declaration of Independence / and the grandfather of Wm. Ellery / the father of Elizabeth D. Sedgwick / William Ellery Sedgwick, Sept. 6th, 1862 / Robert Sedgwick, April 16th, 1873 / Henry Renwick Sedgewick, February 13th, 1922.”
It bears the Ellery coat of arms on the lid and the Sedgwick coat of arms on the opposite side. Later owners added a spout to the front, requiring the flat lid to be bent upward.
This tankard was made probably about / 1730 by Samuel Vernon in Newport, / Rhode Island, one of the most distinguished silversmiths of that period / For arms see Papworth, edit. 1874, p. 342 / Ellery: par chev. arg. and az. a bordure / engrailed or. (Eldres or Eleris) / Sedgwick: p. 650. or on cross gu five / bells arg. (Sedgwick, Dent, co. York) / .
Marks: SV
Place
Type
Credit
Bequest of Mr. Henry Renwick Sedgwick
Object Number
Tankard
This unusually large tankard bears lengthy inscriptions indicating its significance as an heirloom of the Ellery family of Newport beginning in the eighteenth century and continuing through the twentieth century:
“This tankard / was bequeathed a.d. 1743 / by Benjamin Ellery of Newport, r.i. / to his son Wm. Ellery, the father of William Ellery, / one of the Signers of the Declaration of Independence / and the grandfather of Wm. Ellery / the father of Elizabeth D. Sedgwick / William Ellery Sedgwick, Sept. 6th, 1862 / Robert Sedgwick, April 16th, 1873 / Henry Renwick Sedgewick, February 13th, 1922.”
It bears the Ellery coat of arms on the lid and the Sedgwick coat of arms on the opposite side. Later owners added a spout to the front, requiring the flat lid to be bent upward.
This tankard was made probably about / 1730 by Samuel Vernon in Newport, / Rhode Island, one of the most distinguished silversmiths of that period / For arms see Papworth, edit. 1874, p. 342 / Ellery: par chev. arg. and az. a bordure / engrailed or. (Eldres or Eleris) / Sedgwick: p. 650. or on cross gu five / bells arg. (Sedgwick, Dent, co. York) / .
Marks: SV