The Ebenezer Mosely Beaker: An American silver beaker, Benjamin Pierpont, Boston, dated 1773

tapered cylindrical, engraved on side in script The Gift of Mr Ebenezer Mosley to the first Church of Christ in DORCHESTER 1773

Bequest of Ebenezer Mosley in 1769 to

The First Parish in Dorchester, Dorchester, MA

Boston: Museum of Fine Arts, 1911. American Church Silver of the Seventeenth and Eighteenth Centuries, with a few pieces of Domestic Plate, no. 829, p. 99
Boston: Museum of Fine Arts, loan, 1938-2011

Boston (Mass.), City Council, Documents of the City of Boston, 1881, Volume 1, Issues 1-18, p. 40.
Wiliam Blake Trask, Early Matters relating to the town and First church of Dorchester, Mass., 1886, p.11.
E. Alfred Jones, The Old Silver of American Churches, 1913, p. 146.
Patricia E. Kane, Colonial Massachusetts Silversmiths and Jewelers, 1988, p.773

a few scattered dings and one dent to lower body, fire scale shows throughout, otherwise good
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.

Ebenezer Mosley, Jr. was born in Dorchester, MA on 19 May 1695, the first son of Ebenezer Mosley (1673-1740) and his wife Elizabeth Trescott (1668-1705).  Mosley married Elizabeth Atherton (1702-1783) in Dorchester on 29 May 1718. Together they had eight children. Mosley died on 23 March 1773.  His will dated 28 July 1769 records a legacy of five pounds to his church with which the present lot was purchased.  Ebenezer Sr.'s wil dated 8 March 1739-40 (proved 27 September 1740) also bequeathed twenty pounds to his church with which a silver beaker was bought. Both father and son are thought to have been weavers.