William Holmes

  General notes:

Silversmith

  Events in his life were:

• Apprenticed about 1729 to Rufus Greene in Boston MA ⁷

• He worked from 1737 to 1763 as a silversmith in Boston MA passing the first two years as a journeyman in his master's shop. In 1763, he turned over his shop to his son, devoting himself to selling general merchandise and real estate speculation. ⁸

• Porringer, c 1740-1770
Boston Museum of Fine Arts ⁸
h: 1 3/8"
d: 4" (lip)
l: 2 1/8" (handle)
wt: 3 oz, 16 ½ dwt
Engraved I-Q / to / H-Q
Given by Josiah Quincy to his daughter-in-law Hannah, wife of Samuel Quincy or their daughter Hannah Quincy.

• Master to Barnabas Webb abt 1742 in Boston MA. ¹

• Homes was an officer of the Artillery Company. Dow, in Arts & Crafts, cites an item in the Boston Gazette (July 21, 1752) reporting that "William Homes goldsmith, was attorney for John Franklin, executor of the estate of Josiah Franklin." ³

• Master to William Homes abt 1753 in Boston MA. ¹ Who, after his term, continued to work in his father's shop, succeeding him c 1780.

• Advertised in the Boston Gazette (Boston MA), 21 May 1759, "William Holmes. . . Goldsmith, near the Draw-Bridge." ³

• Master to Benjamin Tappen abt 1760 in Boston MA. ¹

• Punch bowl, 1763
Boston Museum of Fine Arts ⁸
h: 4 7/8"
d: 5¼" (base)
d: 9 7/8" (lip)
wt: 32 oz, 17½ dwt
Engraved with Dawes arms in scroll and foliate cartouche with drapery below on one side. Inscription on other side, within engraved and bright-cut medallion with instruments of war and British flags: The Gift / of the Field Officers and / Captains of the Regiment / of the Town of BOSTON. to / THOMAS DAWES Esq^r / for his past Services as Ad- / jutant to said Re- / giment Sep^t. 13 / 1763.
Thomas Dawes served as Senator, Moderator, and member of the Governor's Council. He was a builder and worked with the architect Charles Bulfinch. His will, probated on 02 Jan 1809, left ". . . to my Grandson Thomas Dawes Tertius after the decease of his Grandmother Dawes my Gold Watch and Silver Bowl, which was presented to me by the Officers of the Boston Regiment."

William married Rebecca Dawes. (Rebecca Dawes was born on 9 Mar 1717 in Boston MA and died in Jul 1786 in Boston MA.)