Cann owned by Mary Floyd (1763–1805)

1784

Place madeSouthampton, New York, United States, North America

Silver

Overall: 6 1/4 × 5 3/4 × 3 3/4 in., 14 oz (troy) 5.5 dwt (15.9 × 14.6 × 9.5 cm, 444 g)

Gift of Mrs. Waldron Phoenix Belknap Sr.; Collection of Waldron Phoenix Belknap Jr.

1950.341

This cann was made by Elias Pelletreau (1726-1810), a silversmith who worked in Southampton. Although of Huguenot descent and trained by Huguenot craftsman Simeon Soumaine (1685-1750), Pelletreau served a primarily Anglo-Quaker clientele based in and around Southampton. As was the case for many farmers and craftsmen in colonial New York, he relied on labor of enslaved people. The cann was purchased by Colonel William Floyd (1734-1821) as a wedding gift for his daughter Mary (1763-1805) when she married Colonel Benjamin Tallmadge (1754-1835) in 1784. Colonel Floyd was a distinguished public servant and a signer of the Declaration of Independence. A major landowner, his 4,400-acre farm was cultivated by enslaved people as well as hired free laborers and indentured servants. The William Floyd Estate is now owned by the National Park Service.

DescriptionWrought silver cann; baluster-shaped body on a circular molded foot; plain band applied around the rim; cast, double-scroll handle with an acanthus thumbpiece, rat-tail lower terminus; engraved on the front center with the initials, "M F" in foliate script; maker's mark stamped on the base.

MarkingsMaker's mark stamped on base: "EP" in a rectangle

InscribedEngraved at front center: "M F" in foliate script;

ProvenanceMary Floyd (1763-1805), who married Benjamin Tallmadge (1754-1835); descent uncertain; purchased before 1949 by Waldron P. Belknap, Jr.; bequeathed to his mother, Mrs. Waldron Phoenix Belknap, Sr. (1874-1959), the donor.

ClassificationsSILVER