Notes
This pitcher belonged to William Wirt Henry (1831–1900), a grandson of Patrick Henry who lived at Red Hill. It was given to Henry by the Homestead Land Company in 1892.
The Homestead Land Company of Richmond, Virginia, was organized by Henry L. Staples (c.1842–1897) in 1889. The company closed between 1891 and 1893. Staples headed the Henry L. Staples & Co. as an auctioneer and real estate firm. He also promoted the Buffalo Forge Syndicate, had associations with Chaffin, Staples & Co., and served as a director of the Richmond Chamber of Commerce.
Henry L. Staples and William Wirt Henry both worked on Main Street in Richmond, Virginia, between 1889 and 1891. They also both lived on Grace Street in Richmond, which may explain how Henry became involved in Staples's Homestead Land Company. Staples, Henry, and James Lyons (1857–1913) are all listed in the city's Chamber of Commerce book in 1893. Lyons was the husband of Elizabeth Watkins Henry (1855–1920), a great-granddaughter of Patrick Henry, and daughter of William Wirt Henry.
On the pitcher, the maker's mark, "S. Kirk & Son," seen stamped in script on the bottom, was used by the Kirk company from 1890 to 1896. This piece was made between 1890 and 1892, as it was given to Henry in 1892. The "11oz" stamp indicates that the piece is made of coin silver rather than sterling silver.
Following the death of William Wirt Henry, the bowl passed to his daughter, Lucy Gray Henry Harrison (1857–1944). It remained with Mrs. Harrison at Red Hill until her death in 1944. The Patrick Henry Memorial Foundation purchased this bowl from Elizabeth Kerper (1873–1964), executrix to the Lucy Harrison estate, on June 30, 1945.