The Deacon John Jacobs beakers. A pair of American silver beakers, Boston, circa 1795

cylindrical with flared rims and molded base bands, engraved with presentation inscription, apparently unmarked, one scratched underneath ?A Revere over Revere

The Church of Christ in Cohasset, formerly the Second Church of Christ in Hingham, circa 1795 to the present.

E. Alfred Jones, The Old Silver of American Churches, Letchworth, England: National Society of Colonial Dames of American, 1913, p. 130-131, pl. XLIX.

good condition, engraving crisp and nice color
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The inscription reads, "The Gift of Deacon John Jacobs to the Church of Christ in Cohasset."

These beakers are the result of a bequest in the will of Deacon John Jacobs (see previous lots), dated June 11, 1757, and proved November 28, 1759:
I give to the Second Church of Hingham two silver cups of the same dimensions with those I have formerly given, to be procured by my executor [his nephew Samuel Cushing] immediately after my decease."

Despite the specification of "immediately," it seems to have taken thirty-five years to fulfill this bequest.  From the Church records:
April 6, 1795
The Bretheren of the Church met... and voted, To choose a committee upon Brother Job Cushing and to request him to comply with the clause of the will of Deacon John Jacobs by which he gave to this church, two silver Cups, and that this committee be impowered to take such security of Brother Job Cushing [son of Samuel Cushing and Deacon of the Church], who is answerable for the payments as they shall deem propert.

Also voted that Deacon Abel Kent and Deacon Uriah Lincoln be a committee to wait upon Brother Job Cushing for the aforesaid purpose (cited by E. Alfred Jones).

The underside of one of these beakers is scratched "[A?]P Revere" over "Revere."  In 1795, Paul Revere's silver workshop was a flourishing concern, more and more under the direction of his son, Paul Revere III, while the father developed business such as the bell foundry and copper-rolling mill.  In 1791, the Cohasset Church installed a new 700-pound bell in its belfry.  By church tradition this bell (replaced in 1826) was made by Paul Revere.  However, it antedates the first bell (1793) recorded in the Revere stock books; could oral tradition have confused a 1795 Revere commission by the church for beakers with a 1791 commission for a bell ?