An American silver large salver, William Simpkins, Boston circa 1760

According to the collector's notes, this piece came from the John Eager Howard family.

A matching salver by Simpkins but on four feet was sold Sotheby's, New York, October 24, 1987, lot 389.  It was engraved circa 1800 with the arms of Lechmere impaling Phipps for Richard Lechmere, son of the surveyor-general of customs Thomas Lechmere, and his wife Mary Phipps, granddaughter of Sir William Phipps, governor of Massachusetts; the piece had descended in the family until the sale.

William Simpkins (1704-1780) was probably apprenticed to one of his cousins, Andrew Tyler or William Cowell, Sr., or to John Burt.  He purchased his shop, located near the drawbridge in Boston, in 1744, and later purchased warehouses on a wharf, the land behind them, and a house adjacent.  Simpkins was a member of the New North Church (see lot 686), of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company, and was elected Constable in 1743 but opted to pay the charge rather than fill the office.  After his death, his considerable estate took until 1798 to settle.