A Rare early Silver Tablespoon made by Samuel Vernon of Newport, R. I., for Mary Greene, circa 1720

This rare early piece of Newport, Rhode Island silver was made by Samuel Vernon (1683-1737) for Mary Green, wife of John Greene, of Warwick, Rhode Island, circa 1720. Vernon was both a silversmith, printer and engraver who printed the Colony's paper money from 1715 until his death in 1737. Provenance: Mary Greene (1687-1783) to Ann Greene, thence to Mary "Polly" Greene Clapp, to Eliza Woodward Tiffany (grandniece) in 1861 to Martha E. Allen, East Greenwich, R.I. (7th generation descendant from Mary Greene), thence by descent. The spoon measures 7 1/4" long and the handle has the initials "M G."