Images(15)

Coffeepot

Date1775-1795

Marked by John Letelier Sr. (ca. 1740-1798)

OriginAmerica, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia

MediumSilver; wood

DimensionsOH: 13 1/2"; OL: 9 3/4"; Diam.(rim of cover): 3 7/8"; Diam.(rim of body): 3 1/2"; Diam.(base): 5 1/16"

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number1976-87

DescriptionCast pineapple finial with wrought cluster of five leaves with rivet attachment at top and two similar clusters fitting loosely on post at bottom; finial attached with threaded post and nut to center of cover; tall double-domed cover with cast and applied rim of alternate flutes and gadroons; tall double-bellied body with applied profiled molding at rim; body supported on domed circular base with chased alternate flutes and gadroons at shoulder and cast and applied bead molding at edge; scrolled spout cast in halves with plain leaf tip above opening and various shell and voluted forms at lower end; cover attached with right-angle hinge to upper handle socket; curved handle sockets with upper embellished with roluted shell drop; replaced maple handle of scrolled design with black enamel paint.
Label TextThis coffeepot is engraved with the initials “JMB” for James Bentham (1749–1811) and his second wife Mary (Hardy) Bentham (1759–1825) of Charleston, South Carolina. They were married June 4, 1775.
InscribedFoliate cypher "JMB" engraved on side of body for James Bentham (1749-1811) of Charleston, South Carolina, and his second wife Mary Hardy (1759-1825), also of Charleston
MarkingsMarked in relief with "I•LT" in block letters within a rectangle and "LeTeLier" in block letters within a rectangle, both on underside of base
ProvenanceFoliated cypher "JMB" engraved on side of body for James Bentham (1749-1811) of Charleston, South Carolina, and his second wife, Mary Hardy (1759-1825), also of Charleston. He was the son of James Bentham and Anne Rupell and was born in Wimborne, co. Dorset, on September 7, 1749. He came to America in 1762, became a clerk in the counting house of Mr. Dewar, a Charleston merchant, and married on May 5, 1773, leaving no issue. He married Mary Hardy on June 4, 1775. She was born the daughter of Robert Hardy and Mary Morecock (married July 15, 1754 in Charleston) on August 9, 1759. They had twelve children. Commissioned a lieutenant of the militia on December 22, 1775, he was made a captain in 1778. He was appointed Town Adjutant on May 31, 1779. His Regimental Book of 1778-1780 is in the collections of the South Carolina Historical Society. He died on October 28, 1811. He was survived by his wife, who died on December 11, 1825.

According to the last owner, this coffeepot passed from James and Mary Bentham to their ninth child, Robert Bentham (1790-1843), who married Frances Carolina Mayrant; to their daughter, Mary Ann Bentham (1820-1851), and her husband, Thomas Grange Simons (1818-1904), and his second wife, Elizabeth Bonneau Noble (1830-1869); their daughter, Frances Caroline Simons (1847-1938), and her husband, Thomas Malbone Waring (1845-1915); their daughter, Mary Ann Waring (1874-1960); her neice and last owner, Barbara Whipple (1921- ), who married (1) Dr. John Shilling and (2) Grant Heilman. This coffeepot is said to have always been owned in Charleston until it was given to Mrs. Heilman by her aunt.

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