Name/Title
Serving ForkEntry/Object ID
1977.91.1Description
Two-pronged silver serving fork with King Shell pattern on the handle. The reverse has the initials "MH."Context
Mary Cantey Hampton (1779–1863), the third wife of Wade Hampton I (1754–1835), served as the matriarch of the Hampton family. She spent forty years in the Hampton-Preston Mansion, living with her many children and grandchildren. According to probate records, Mary Cantey enslaved thirty-one people at the time of her death, collectively valued at $33,000. She also owned 427 pieces of silver, valued at approximately $20,000, according to her "Schedule of Property" in 1863. Upon her death, ownership of her silver and those she enslaved was then divided between her relatives.
This two-prong fork appears to be a modified spoon and is marked "Hayden & Gregg" on the reverse. William Gregg (1800–1867) worked in Columbia from 1824 to 1830 but did not partner with Nathaniel and Hezekiah Hayden until 1838, at which time they operated out of Charleston under the name "Gregg & Co." The partnership was restructured in 1843, changing the business name to "Hayden & Gregg" with August Henry Hayden joining the firm. Hezekiah Hayden rejoined the business in 1846, leading to a final name change to "Gregg, Hayden & Co."Made/Created
Artist Information
Artist
Hayden & GreggRole
MakerDate made
1843 - 1846Relationships
Related Person or Organization
Person or Organization
Mary Cantey Hampton
