Notes
This is one of a set of silver salt spoons commissioned by John (1796–1868) and Elvira McClelland Henry (1808–1875) while they were living at Red Hill. The spoons were designed to accompany a set of four silver saltcellars (76.19.1-4), originally owned by Patrick Henry and later inherited by John.
The spoons are stamped with the maker's mark "E. Brown" for Edward Brown, a silversmith in Lynchburg, Virginia. Brown began business in 1807 but moved to Richmond in 1811, then to Lynchburg in 1823. Considering John Henry and Elvira McClelland married in 1826, these spoons were made while Brown was based in Lynchburg between 1826 and 1835.
Following the death of John Henry in 1868, the spoons appear in an estate inventory taken at Red Hill as part of "1 Set Silver ware, spoons, forks, knives & Ladle, Fruit Dish & Boxes & castors." This grouping of items was valued at $125.
John and Elivra Henry left these spoons to their son William Wirt Henry (1831–1900), who also lived at Red Hill. He passed them on to his daughter, Lucy Gray Henry Harrison (1857–1944).
The Patrick Henry Memorial Foundation purchased the spoons from the executrix of Lucy Harrison's estate, Elizabeth Kerper, on June 30, 1945.