The Sarah Preston Basin: An American silver bowl, Probably Boston, dated 1808

with wide flat rim, engraved in a medallion Presented by Sarah Preston To the first Church in Dorchester June 3d 1808

Gift of Sarah Preston in 1808 to

The First Parish in Dorchester, Dorchester, MA

Boston: Museum of Fine Arts, loan, 1938-2011

E. Alfred Jones, The Old Silver of American Churches, 1913, p. 149.

some firescale and slight pitting around rim, otherwise good, engraving crisp
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.

Sarah (Sally) Preston, daughter of Remember Preston (1724-1761) and his wife Sarah Davis (b. 1726), was born on 1 March 1749 in Dorchester, MA.  On 1 August 1776 she married Dr. Samuel Adams (1744-1819), a widower twice over and distant relative of the patriot Samuel Adams and President John Adams.  The  Sol Feinstone Collection of the David Library of the American Revolution, Washington Crossing, PA, contains a number of letters written by Dr. Adams during the Revolutionary War, including thirty-one courting letters to Sarah Preston.  During the War, Dr. Adams acted as surgeon to the 18^th Continental Regiment of Foot.  A letter written to Sarah on 10 March 1776 from the lines outside Boston records Dr. Adams' affection his future wife:

My Dear Sally
Your Sudden, and to me unexpected return to Dorchester has made me very dull deprived of your agreeable company I have nothing left to entertain and amuse me in my leisure hours__ when I reflect on the pleasure I enjoyed when my dear Sally was no near me that when ever I wanted to unbend my mind from cares & business, could have recourse to her agreeable company.  I am ready to murmur at my present Situation and impatiently wish for the happy moment to arrive when I am to meet my Sally to part no more __ but I forbear__ would beg that the loss of your company may in part be made up by a line from your fair hand__ I am my Dearr Sally in the Sincerest bonds of love yours
Medicus

In another letter dated "Boston, March 26^th, 1776" Dr. Adams discusses the dangerous threats faced by the regiments , including a small-pox epidemic.  He begs of her:

-- don't give yourself any uneasiness on my account – there is one able to keep me from the small pox and all other dangerous and I doubt I shall have my Sally's prayers for my preservation –
 My Dear Sally with Sincere Love
I am affectionately yours
Medicus

At the time of the 1808 donation of this tankard, Sarah's family had become well-established in the Church and in the Dorchester community.  Daniel Preston (1649-1726), Sarah's great-grandfather, was born in Dorchester and served as a Church Deacon and Elder.  Additionally, the home of maternal great-grandparents Thomas and Mary Frye Pierce exists today and is one of the last surviving 17^th structures in the Boston area.  The donation of the present tankard to the Church was likely inspired by Sarah's great-uncle, Remember Preston (1678-1755), who donated the Jonathan Trott beaker (lot 121), and who's will dated 11 May 1747 and proved 30 May 1755 stated "I give and bequeath unto this Church in Dorchester the sum of £30 to be used as ye s^d Church shall see fit & to be paid by my Executor [Sarah's father] hereafter named within two years of my Decease."  Sarah Preston was also donor of the early 19^th century baptismal basin to be offered as lot 118 in this sale.