W A WILLIAMS, 1787-1846, Alexandria, Virginia

ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA, circa 1825
Silversmith : William Alexander Williams (1787-1846)
Mark : W.A. WILLIAMS (in rectangle)
Coin Silver 6” teaspoon
Script spray monogram “ MSM “

‘fin fiddle’ pattern, ‘tipt’ downturned end, flared pointed shoulders, bowl joined by drop.
(A similar style by Williams, engraved 1836, appears as # 141 in the catalog to the Lyceum’s 1994-5 exhibition Three Centuries of Alexandria Silver, which is also source for the following information.)

Williams advertised in May 1812 as a gold and silversmith taking the shop of Gaither and Griffith at the corner of Prince and Fairfax Streets.
He shared the premises with Griffith until 1820.
In May 1820, Williams moved to the south side of King between Royal and Fairfax.

He made silver for Saint Paul’s Church, and a Lafayette presentation cup commissioned by Alexandria’s mayor and council for Lafayette’s triumphal return to Alexandria in 1824. (The cup honors Mrs. Elizabeth Lawrason for making her home available to Lafayette, and descended in her family until purchase by the home’s present owners.)

Williams was active in the community as a Mason, a thespian, and a major in the county militia.

In October 1834 he sold his Alexandria business to Benjamin Barton and moved to Washington.
Chronology : Baltimore, 1800-07; Alexandria, ca 1811-34, Washington, 1834-1846

#9001 a – teaspoon ..................................................... $ 185.