E-Newsletter | November 13, 2020 |
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A Newburyport Scrimshander |
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Top Image: This impressive foghorn with a turned maple mouthpiece was carved by Captain John Simpson, circa 1844. The carvings include an American eagle, a soldier on horseback, a sailing ship, and the emblem of the Quascacunquen Lodge of the International Order of Odd Fellows. Bottom Image: Carved, inlaid, and hand-painted corset busk made at sea in 1842 by Captain Simpson for his wife Susan. All images from the collections of the Museum of Old Newbury.
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Scrimshaw was a popular art form in the 18th and 19th centuries throughout coastal New England. Seamen aboard long voyages would often while away the hours carving on whales' teeth or other ivory or bone. Many of those carved on whaling vessels portrayed whaling scenes or ships in full sail on a turbulent sea. Other designs included patriotic subjects, female figures and symbolic figures, such as Britannia and Hope. These items were often souvenirs of the voyage for loved ones back home.
The museum collections hold several carved and decorated pieces by Newburyport scrimshander Captain John Simpson who made his home on Washington Street.
He was born in October 1802, the son of Alexander and Susan Simpson. Captain Simpson was an accomplished shipmaster who commanded several Newburyport ships including the Moses Wheeler, Saladin, Alkmaar, and the gold rush ship, Gen. Harrison, as well as the barks Allioth and Statira. His blue painted sea chest with his name stenciled in gold still contains a dozen charts of his global voyages.
On September 16, 1832, John Simpson married Susan Swift of Gloucester and barely a year later their only daughter Susan was born there.
After returning to Newburyport, Simpson joined the Newburyport Marine Society in 1843 and remained active with the organization for the rest of his life. From 1868-1877, he served as superintendent of the Society's "rooms" on State Street where they held their meetings and displayed curiosities from around the world. Simpson also sent out the death notices for member captains to other members of the Society. For these duties he received a stipend of $300 annually.
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In addition to his skills in commanding ships on the high seas, Captain Simpson was an accomplished artist.
A wooden corset busk (shown above) was carved for his wife Susan Simpson when the captain was at sea during a storm on his bark the Allioth in May 1842. The busk bears the couple’s initials and hearts as well as a depiction of a large anchor, a longboat, and the bark.
In January 1861, the Simpson’s daughter Susan, then age 27, married James Edward Whitney of 26 Tyng Street, thus making formal a long-time friendship between the Whitney and Simpson families. Simpson was probably familiar with his new son-in-law's father, Thomas Handly Whitney, a shipbuilder.
About this same time, Captain Simpson carved a pair of matched whale’s teeth for himself and for James Whitney’s younger brother, Captain George H. Whitney. Born in1843, the younger Whitney was lost at sea in early winter 1865 with the bark Race Horse. He was only 21.
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Whale's tooth carved by John Simpson, circa 1861, shown above. From the collections of the Museum of Old Newbury. |
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The scrimshaw teeth are remarkable and shed light on the lives of the Simpson and Whitney families. The tooth of John Simpson depicts the family home on Washington Street, a female figure and a flag, as well as the Allioth, and the Masonic square and compass. He was a member of Newburyport's St John's Lodge. His initials are carved on the tip of the tooth.
Similarly, George Whitney's initials surmount the tooth, below which is the insignia of the Order of Odd Fellows, and an etching of his home on Tyng Street. The obverse side, like the Whitney tooth, has a female figure, a flag, and a ship, perhaps the one on which he was lost.
James Whitney never went to sea, although he was involved in the maritime trades through his firm based in Boston. The James E. Whitney Company, in operation from the mid-to-late 19th century, imported goods from East India, including indigo, hide and skins, dyes, and saltpeter. James died in 1911 and his wife Susan in 1928. Together they had eight children, although some did not live to adulthood. Three surviving sisters who made their home on Tyng Street donated their grandfather Simpson's artifacts to the museum in 1960 so that his legacy would remain alive in Newburyport.
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Puzzle Me This...
Upstairs, Downstairs
Architectural Detail - Cushing House staircase.
Shown here - from the Museum of Old Newbury front entrance at 98 High Street - is the original Federal period detailing on sides of the risers and the later19th century balusters.
Click on the image to begin.
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Something is Always Cooking at the Museum
Karen Michael offers up this quick, simple and sure-to-be-satisfying brunch bake. This editor especially likes the idea of prepping the day before and cooking off in the morning.
Breakfast Egg Bake
4 slices of bread
1/2 cup butter, melted
8 ounces favorite cheese, grated
1 1/2 pounds sweet sausage (hot, if you're feeling bold!)
6 eggs
2 cups milk
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon dry mustard
1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
Cut bread into cubes and put in a 9"x13" greased baking dish. Brown sausage; set aside. In bowl, mix eggs, milk, salt, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, cheese and cooked sausage. Pour mixture over bread and refrigerate overnight. Bake in morning at 350ºF until golden brown, about 50-60 minutes.
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Order your 2021 Cushing House Calendar now. Perfect for holiday or anytime gifts.
The 8.5"x11" wall piece features heavy grade, high quality, tear off pages for each month and includes a "Notes" section for handwritten reminders.
Each page features a crisp, clear image from the collections of the Museum of Old Newbury.
$16.50 per calendar, shipping included (for orders of more than 4, please contact us).
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Yeat Yeat, Don't Miss This!
Watch and play along on Newburyport's fastest half-hour of historic trivia. Laugh and learn with your hosts, Jack Santos, Custom House Maritime Museum, and Colleen Turner Secino, Museum of Old Newbury, every other Friday on "Yeat Yeat, Don't Tell Me!" Zoom in here at noon today!
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A Newburyport Travelogue...the Movie!
Did you miss Tuesday, November 10's virtual event: A Newburyport Travelogue with everyone's favorite history buff, Jack Santos? Fear not! Watch Part 1 here, as the traipsing troubadour waxes lyrical about Newburyport’s connections up and down the coast!
Plan to join us Tuesday, January 12, 2021 for Part II, when Jack crosses the pond! Registration information to follow.
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During this difficult period of COVID-19, we rely on your support more than ever. We are working to reschedule many of the programs that we have had to postpone, as well as develop new, online programs for you to enjoy and keep us connected. We hope, if you are able, that you will consider a donation to the museum. Thank you for your continued support.
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Museum e-Newsletter made possible through the
generosity of our sponsors:
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Museum of Old Newbury
98 High Street
Newburyport, MA 01950
978-462-2681
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