Images(4)

Spoon

Date1860

OriginAmerica, Indiana, St. Joseph County, South Bend

MediumSilver

DimensionsOL 8 ¾ in.
Width across bowl 1 ¾ in.

Credit LineGift of Bryan R. Downey

Object number2025-86

DescriptionSilver spoon with oval-shaped bowl that comes to a point, rounded shoulders, and an hourglass shaped handle. The handle has a raised design pointing towards the bowl. “Mary” is engraved on the handle. There is a mark “W.L. BARRETT” stamped in a rectangle on the back of the shoulders.Label TextMary Jane Stull, the maker of an 1853 applique quilt in CWF's collection (2025.609.47) received this spoon as part of a set given to her by her mother when she married John Mohler Studebaker in 1860. Stull treasured the spoons, recalling in her family autobiography that "the silver spoons my mother gave me were the pride of our table."

Rebecca Hughes, Stull's mother, purchased the silverware set from William L. Barrett, who sold jewelry, watches, glasses, and silverware in South Bend, Indiana. Barrett's original storefront on Michigan Street was destroyed in a fire in 1855, so Hughes probably frequented Barrett's new store across the street. Barrett boasted in advertisements that "his facilities with manufacturers, importers and wholesale dealers will enable him to supply his customers with goods that will in variety, beauty, fashion and cheapness meet all demands."Inscription(s)[On handle] MaryMark(s)[On the back of the shoulders, stamped in a rectangle] W. L. BARRETT.ProvenanceCa. 1860, William L. Barrett (South Bend, IN); ca. 1860, purchased by Rebecca Hughes (St. Joseph County, IN); ca. 1860, given to Mary Jane Stull (South Bend, IN); 1921, passed by descent to Grace Anna Studebaker [1862-1946] (South Bend, IN); 1946, passed by descent to Frederick Studebaker Fish [1889-1980] (Fremont, Wyoming); 1980, passed by descent to Geraldine Osborne Fish [1926-2023] (Vero Beach, FL); prior to 2023, given to Bryan Downey (Charlotte, NC); 2025-present, given to The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation (Williamsburg, VA)