An American Silver Coffee Pot, Philip Syng Jr., Philadelphia, circa 1752

of tall tapered cylindrical form on molded circular foot, the scroll spout springing from a large leaf at base and terminating in scrolls, with scroll handle joins, the upper handle terminal with baluster drop below, stepped domed cover with pineapple finial, engraved on one side with foliate script monogram WSM, underside engraved E. Hudson to W. Morris

Elizabeth Hudson Morris, to her son
William Hudson Morris, to his son
Anthony Hudson Morris
Robert H. Kraeger
Private Philadelphia Collection
Christie's, New York, 21 January 2001, lot 320

handle terminals slightly pushed in and repaired seam opening above upper handle terminal, finial probably a little later, foot needs a little straightening but not wobbly
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

This coffee pot was presumably made for the 1752 marriage of Anthony Morris and his second wife, Elizabeth Hudson of Philadelphia.

Anthony Morris (1705/6-1780) was a third-generation partner in his family's well-established brewing business located at Dock and Pear Streets.  Additionally he held several civic positions in Philadelphia and was a signer of the Non-Importation Agreement of 1765.  At the age of twenty-five he married his first wife, Sarah Powell, with whom he had six children.  Sarah died in 1751.

Elizabeth Hudson (1721-1783) was the daughter of William Hudson and Jane Evans, and the granddaughter of William Hudson, who was a member of the Colonial Assembly and mayor of Philadelphia in1725-26.  Elizabeth was popularly known as a "preacher" in the Society of Friends, and in 1747 she travelled to England and Ireland for the purpose of Quakers abroad.  In 1752, at the age of thirty-one, she married Anthony Morris, a recent widower and man sixteen years her senior.  The couple went on have at least four children.

The inscription on the base of the coffee pot: "E. Hudson to W. Morris" refers to the couple's oldest son, William Morris.  William Morris (1753-1807) married Sarah Warder (1753- 1817/18) on 5 September 1776.  The monogram "WSM" engraved on the side of the coffee pot, for William and Sarah Morris, was most likely engraved at the time of their marriage, and thus it probably a wedding gift from Elizabeth Hudson Morris.

Sarah Warder Morris' Last Will & Testament, dated 1 March 1815, lists the divisions of her household property among her children, and bequeaths "unto my Son Anthony my Silver Coffee Pott, One Silver Porringer & Six Silver Table Spoons."  Anthony H. Morris was born in 1781, the fourth son of William and Sarah Morris.  He died unmarried in 1863.