32 The Cost of Old Silver Much interest has been aroused by the recent ex

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32 The Cost of Old Silver
THE COST OF OLD SILVEK
By HARROLD E. GILLINGHAM
Much interest has been aroused by the recent ex-
hibition of early Philadelphia-made Silver at the house
of the Colonial Dames of America in this city last
Spring1 which by the way was pronounced as a dis-
play without fault by a prominent Museum official.
In considering the subject of the earliest silverware
made in Philadelphia one naturally turns to the rec-
ords left by the founder of this colony; but such ac-
counts as are available throw little light on the cost
of any particular piece of silverware which William
Penn might have had made in this country. By con-
sulting his Cash-book one finds that on 2nd. mo. 22d.
1700 he paid Johan Nys Goldsmith £2-10-0. This is the
first mention of a Gold or Silversmith working in Phila-
delphia.
In the will of Samuel Holton proved May 30, 1715,
he bequeathed to his daughter Mary a house in Front
Street at the corner of Carpenter's Alley, Now in
the tenure and occupation of John Nys, Silver
Smith, hence we know where Nys lived. We also find
that Johannis Nys was a witness to the will of James
Spencer, a Mariner, signed April 6, 1713,2 and to the
will of John Goadby, signed July 8, 1723.3'4
In the same Cash-book of William Penn, under date
*A Century of American Silver, 1725-1825, held March 21-23, 1929.
2 Book C, p. 343.
8 Book D., p. 361.
4Pennypacker, in his Settlement of Germantown, says that Jan Neuss
a Mennonite and Silversmith from Crefeld received the right of Citizen-
ship in 1698 and died before December 1724. But in Will Book D., p.
138, is recorded October 29, 1719, the will of John Neuss of Germantown,
and in the will he is described as a Weaver,
The Cost of Old Silver 33
of 12mo. 4th, 1701, is entered Pd ye Goldsmith Cesar
Ghiselin £l-14-0.5
We gather no information of what silverware Penn
paid for, in either of the above entries in his Cash-
book.
Caesar Ghiselin is said to have worked in Philadel-
phia as early as 1695 and until 1718, when he moved
to Annapolis, Maryland.
It is natural to assume that with his position and
wealth William Penn possessed much silverware or
Plate as it was called at the time, most of which he
probably brought from England. Fortunately his
stewards have left us some record thereof, in the
Catalogue of Goods Left at Pensbury the 3rd. of ye
Tenth Month 1701. In the section of Linnen and Plate
in ye great red Trunk, we find under the heading of
Plate the following:
"One large Tankard, 1 Bason, 6 Salts, 1 Shallot, 5
Plates, 7 Spoons, 1 little Spoon, 2 forks, 2 Porrengers,
2 little cups, one mkd. J. P. ye other H. C, 1 pr Snuffers,
a small candle Stick, 1 Chafing Dish."
On another list, headed "Plait carried to Pennsil-
vania" we find:
"1 large Tankard, 1 Plaited, 1 Porringer with ears
and a Cover, 1 Caudle cup with 3 leggs & a porringor
to cover it, 3 tumblers 1 larger 2 lessor, 1 taister, 6
spoons, 2 forks, 1 paire of snuffers, 1 handle cup, 2
things for Cruit tops, 1 new cup with a cower, 2 tank-
erds was changed for 3 new Chaffendishes, 1 large 2
lesser & things to them to burn Spirits in, 1 large Snuf-
fer pan with Candle stil in it. 1 large Plait with the
Springets Arms that Springet's Grandmother Penn-
ington Gave him. 1 little Candle Stick marked WPG,
5 Ensko, in American Silversmiths and their Marks> N. Y. 1927, says
that Ghiselin worked in Philadelphia until 1718 when he removed to
Annapolis and that John Steele, goldsmith, left him £100. in his will
(Maryland Calendar of Wills), proved Sept. 7, 1722. Ghiselin died in
1733.
VOL. LIV.—4.
34 The Cost of Old Silver
1 little Strong water bottle marked G- M S, 1 Saveall
marked 6S, 1 Extinguisher, 1 little Standish with a
drawer, 1 small Eunnell marked W P, 5 sweet meat
Spoons, 1 childs drinking cup, 6 spoons with a Cross
on them yt are used in the kitching, 4 came from
Walthamstow 2 with a Cross 2 wthot. 1 we had before
unmarked, 1 marked E B, 12 in all. 6 Egg spoons 3
marked with ye childrens names 3 marked W P G,
1 gone to Pennsilvania, 2 Cruit tops 2 taistors."
This sounds like a lot of silverware for 1701 but
considering how the Proprietor must have lived and
entertained, one naturally wonders why there was not
more flat silver, such as spoons and forks.
As to the question of the cost of our first made
silver, it is well known that no silver ore was produced
in the Colony during the seventeenth or eighteenth
centuries and the silversmiths depended entirely on
the foreign coins received by the merchants and ship-
pers of the day for their supply of metal from which
to fashion the various articles which they made. Then
too as there were no banks or safe-deposit vaults, and
but few persons possessed iron "strong boxes" in
which to store their wealth, many persons resorted to
the custom of having their savings—in the form of gold
and silver coins—melted and made into articles for
household use. Also, if an evil disposed person should
steal their silver spoons, tankards or tea-pots, these
were not readily disposed of, as few persons would
dare to purchase them and the thief could be easily
captured.
The pieces thus made were usually called Plate, an
old English term applied to articles entirely of silver,
and many such references are to be found in the early
wills when "all my plate" was bequeathed to the wife
or children. As the prosperous citizen generally sup-
plied the coin from which the silversmiths fashioned
the plate, it is not always possible to obtain the exact
The Cost of Old Silver 35
cost of a piece of silver. Many of the entries in the
craftsmen's books consulted, show where the customer
is credited with so many ounces and pennyweights of
silver and is then charged with the cost of fashioning
the desired article.
When our early Philadelphia silversmith Edmund
Milne made General Washington's twelve Silver Camp
Cups in August of 1777, his bill shows that he received
16 silver Dollars (probably Spanish coin) weighing
13 oz. 18 dwt. and the charge for the making, less the
surplus silver was £6-13-0. As the pound was worth
at that time about $3.00 the cost of the dozen cups was
not exorbitant.
His Excency. Gen. Washington to Edmd. Milne Dr.
1777
Aug*. 20th.
To makg. 12 Silvr. Camp Cups, wt. 11 oz. @ 14/ea. £8-8-0
To the Whaist on do 1.3
oz. 12.3
Cr. By 16 Silvr. Dolls. wt. 13.18
Remaining 1.15 @ 20/p oz. 1-15-0
Balance due £6-13-0*
The records left by one of our early silversmiths
show almost throughout credits for silver by the
weight thereof, or of so many Johannes or half
Johannes; a gold coin of Portugal, much in circula-
tion in the colonies, and so named for the reason that
they bore the head of John V. then king of Portugal.
PHILIP SYNG
The mere mention of Philip Syng as a Philadelphia
silversmith brings to one's mind the beautiful silver
inkstand in our old State House in Philadelphia, from
which our early 'i signers'' drew the ink to validate the
Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of
s Francis Hill Bigelow's Historic Silver of the Colonies.
36 The Cost of Old Silver
these United States, and which had cost the Pro-
vincial Assembly £25-16-0. There were three local
silversmiths named Philip Syng; father, son and
grandson, but it is the second of the name who has left
us that historic inkstand as one of the many specimens
of his craftsmanship.
Philip Syng, the elder, was born in Ireland in 1676
and came to Philadelphia in July, 1714, with Abigail
(Murdock) his wife and three sons, Philip Jr., Daniel
and John. Abigail died November 4, 1714, and Philip
is believed to have married twice afterwards. Our
earliest record of his shop is derived from the Amer-
ican Weekly Mercury of May 12/19, 1720, when Rich-
ard Warder, maker of Tavern Clay Pipes, advertised
that he was "living under the same Roof with Philip
Syng, Gold Smith, near the Market Place." It seems
probable that this was the same shop occupied in 1736
by his son John Syng (q. v.). Philip moved to Annapo-
lis, Maryland, where he died May 18, 1739, aged 63
years.
While Philip Syng has left us no records of his
charges, he has left several pieces of his handwork
which are worth noting; such as the silver flagon 11
in. high, which Col. Robert Quary presented in 1712
to St. Mary's Church, Burlington, N. J.; the Baptismal
basin owned by Christ Church Philadelphia, likewise
the gift of Col. Quary the same year, and the silver
Paten given to Holy Trinity Church, Oxford, Philadel-
phia, which is said to have also been of his making.
PHILIP SYNG, JR. (1703-1789), came here with his
parents when but eleven years of age and became a
silver craftsman. He was a member of Franklin's
Junto, the predecessor of the American Philosophical
Society; a director of the Library Company; a prom-
inent citizen and Mason, and at a meeting held at the
''Indian King" on June 30, 1737, he was chosen Grand
Warden of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania.
The Cost of Old Silver 37
He was actively engaged in the trade of silversmith-
ing and a careful and prolific worker, having his shop
in Front Street, as shown by an advertisement in the
Gazette of September 14, 1738, in a notice for sale of
some land, saying '' Enquire of Philip Syng jun. Silver
Smith, in Front Street." Just where this shop was is
not stated, but it is believed to have been between
Market and Chestnut Streets, where he apparently re-
mained until his retirement from business and was
succeeded by one of his workmen, Richard Humphreys
(q. v.) in 1772.
Philip Syng, Jr., married at Christ Church, February
5,1729/30, Elizabeth Warner, who died and was buried
in Christ Church burial ground, October 3, 1786. They
had several children, many of whom are mentioned in
the will of his son Philip 3rd. He died May 8, 1789,
aged 85 years, and was buried in Christ Church burial
ground, May 10, 1789. Having died intestate, Letters
of Administration of his estate were granted June 10,
1789.
As these early craftsmen were versatile workers and
in addition to designing and fashioning the various
pieces of gold and silverware, did engraving as well,
it is an engraver's bill of Philip Syng, Jr., to Mr. Rich-
ard Peters that we turn to for the cost of his work-
manship.
"Mr. Richd. Peters Dr.
1749
Nov:2d. to a Seal 3-14-6
1750
March 22 to Do for Cumberland Co. 4- 8-0
Oct 11 to Do for York 4-12-5
Dec 24 to a Seal for N. Scull 4-4-5
1752
Aug 5th. to 2 Do for Mr. Parsons 8- 6-11
£25- 5-5|
Recd above in full
Phil Syng"
38 The Cost of Old Silver
Philip Syng, the third of the name, and likewise
a silversmith, was the son of Philip (Jr.) and Eliza-
beth Syng, and according to the records of Christ
Church, was baptised January 27, 1733, when six
weeks old. After his death he was interred in the
burial grounds of the same church on November 14,
1760. His will was signed September 25, 1760,
wherein he calls himself a silversmith, and was proved
May 22, 1761.7 He appointed his father, Philip Syng,
Executor and bequeathed to him a house and ground
on Chestnut Street which he had bought of John
Knowles. To his nine sisters and one brother (Joseph)
he left each £50., so he seems to have had a comfortable
fortune for the time when but 27 years of age. Sev-
eral writers have confused this Philip with his father,
usually spoken of as Philip, Jr.
JOHN SYNG, the youngest son of Philip (Sr.) and
Abigail (Murdock) Syng was married at Christ
Church, September 16, 1736, to Deborah Harper and
he too had a son Philip born June 1737. John was like-
wise a silversmith and apparently carried on business
at his father's shop in Market Street, as his adver-
tisement appeared in the Gazette of June 27th and
July 4th, 1734, as follows:
"ALL Sorts of Gold and Silver work made and
mended, also Gold and Silver bought by John Syng,
Goldsmith, in Market Street, over against the Market
House, next Door but one to the Crown, Philadelphia.''
EDMOND MILNE
The name of MILNE as a silversmith brings to one's
mind those historic Camp Cups which Edmond Milne
made for General Washington; but twenty years be-
fore that he was a craftsman of note whose workshop
was on Market Street next door to the Indian King,
7 Book M., p. 114.
The Cost of Old Silver 39
which had formerly been the shop of Charles Dutens
for whom Milne had worked and whom he succeeded
when Dutens went to the West Indies.
By 1763 we find Milne had moved to Second Street
near Market, at the Crown and three Pearls, as is
noted in his advertisement in the Journal of December
15th of that year.
Vttmhtt.
EDMOUD MILNE,
ftUfmitb tod Jtvtltif, »t the Sign of the Crown and three
FLARLS, nc*t Doorio the Corner of Marithflrret* in Sccv.d'
p*tt% brgttcm tD'tirfbnn the PUBLIC, That he batjuft im-
por*4 in ih# Uil VtlUlirrom L *do*, tn clcgtnc ASSORT*
MfcNT ofGiUjmttb; and Jwtlarj HTgte
According to this public notice he evidently im-
ported all kinds of silver and plated articles for use
and ornament, but at the same time he was making
silverware, as well as ornaments for presentation as
peace offerings to the Redmen who were such a source
of annoyance to the extension of the colonial settle-
ments. Herewith is a copy of his bill to George
Croghan, a prominent Trader and Indian Agent in
tWBhraeats dtsdeeorcnct ikoP'sn e.nenxspyeldviatinoina, oafn d1 7w7h5o in w tahse a c aCmappataiginn ionf
40 The Cost of Old Silver
George Croughon Bought of Edmond Milne.
£ S
To 18 Doz of Broaches at 8/s. pr Doz. 7-5
To 12 Doz of Ditto at US pr Doz 6-4
To 8 Doz of Ditto at US pr Doz 4-8
To 2 Doz of Crosses @ 12/ 1-4
To 6 Arm Bands @ 20/ 6-0
To 10 Rist Bands @ 8/ 4-0
To two Gorgets @ 25/ 2-10
£31-10
Received Contents from
Geo. Croughan
Edmond Milne.
The discovery of this document in the archives of
The Historical Society of Pennsylvania is not only of
interest to students of our early silversmiths, but to
anthropologists as well, for it shows the Philadelphia
craftsmen were called upon to supply such articles to
the Indian Traders and Agents. Several students of
early Indian silver ornaments have been on the search
for years to prove the authenticity of some of these
silver ornaments in Museums. It would be fortunate
indeed if some of Milne's Indian ornaments could find
a resting place in the museum of The Historical Society
of Pennsylvania.
Edmond Milne went to England in 1761, no doubt
to make business connections with silver workers of
London for many of the articles mentioned in the fore-
going advertisement. Just when he retired from busi-
ness is not known, but in 1799 he was one of the sureties
for the Administration of his son's estate and is given
as Gentleman of the Northern Liberties* His daughter
Eliza Milne married John Eussell on 4th mo., 5th,
1793, and it is presumed there were no other children.
Milne died February 4, 1822, aged 98 years,9 and his
will, signed March 26, 1818, was proved February 7,
8 Estate of Edmond Milne Jr. Admins. Book K, p. 26, No. 371.
9 Burial Records, 2nd Baptist Church.
The Cost of Old Silver 41
1822,10 wherein he described himself as Gentleman of
Northern Liberties and left his entire estate to his
wife Amelia.
RlCHAKD HUMPHEEYS
When Phillip Syng, Jr., retired from business in
1772 and moved to Upper Merion Township he was
succeeded by RICHARD HUMPHREYS, as is shown
by the advertisement in the Packet of August 24 of
that year.
R I C H A RD H U M P H R E Y S,
G O L D S M I T H,
HAVING taken the houfe in which PHILIP SVNO
lately dwelt, lurthy infoims his friends and the
public, that he now cairiet on the O^OLDSMI TH's
Bufinefs in all itt branches, at the alorefairi plnce, a few
j&oor% below the C otiee H< u(V, -Ahere he has for f*Je, a
NEAT and GENERAL ASSORTMENT of G 0 JL D and
SILVER WARE. Twofe who will pleafe to fa-
vour him with their cuJtom,may he aifurcd oi httntmoit
nlnlity togivf fat 15faction, Soth in the t]t*a!try and work-
mmfhip 1 focft fxvuUrt will be gratefully acknowledged
by theif fritffcl?
RICHARD HUMPHREYS.
Tttfi faHferjher bnving lately removed into Upper
Merion townitvipjiereby informs hit friends and for*
mcrcuftoinert, that they may be fupplied aaufual, at his
Life dwelling* by the above-namev! RICHARD HIM-
J»HRfc YS^ whom he hereby recommend* to them as a per-
f >i*<H#iificd to ferve them on the heft tcims, and uhofe
&M*y in the a!>ove bufinei'g will engige their futuiccon-
ftifefpee and regard.
PHILIP SYNC.
While working at the Sign of the Coffee-Pot, in
Front street near the Coffee House, Humphreys fash-
ioned some silverware for another of our prominent
citizens—James Pemberton—and we are fortunate in
finding among the collections of The Historical Society
of Pennsylvania this bill:
10 Will Book 7, page 447.