• Born: 15 Feb 1793, Doylestown PA
• Marriage (1): Albina Powell on 18 Mar 1817 in Baltimore MD
• Died: 6 Jul 1872, Baltimore MD

  General notes:

Silversmith

  Events in his life were:

• Alternate Mark.

• Alternate Mark.

• Alternate Mark.

• Alternate Mark.

• Maryland. Kirk is best known for the extensive use of repousse, an ancient technique that had fallen out of fashion during the Colonial period. Kirk's revival of repousse was so innovative, both stylistically and technically, that it set the style for fine silver all over the United States in the mid-nineteenth century. In recent years many people have disparaged Kirk repousse as being an example of late Victorian exuberance; however, Samuel Kirk's repousse designs date as early as 1826 and were so influential that "Maryland Silver" was long the popular name for this repousse style, no matter where or by whom a piece had been made. It should also be pointed out that Samuel Kirk make exemplary pieces of silver in other styles as well. ³⁰

• Apprenticed: James Howell, in 1810, in Philadelphia PA. ¹

• Partnership: John Smith, in 1815-1820, in Baltimore MD. From shop at 30 Baltimore Street. ³⁰

• He worked in 1820-1826 as a silversmith in Baltimore MD at 30 Baltimore Street. ³⁰

• Example: Urn, in 1820-1830, in Private Collection. H: 15 1/2"
  wt: 64 oz

• He worked in 1826-1830 as a silversmith in Baltimore MD from new shop at 140 Baltimore Street. ³⁰

• Example: Receipt, on 16 Oct 1826, in Winterthur Library.

• Example: Hot milk jug, in 1828, in Baltimore Museum Art. H: 7 3/8"
  d: 2 13/16" (base)
  wt: 15 oz, 15 dwt
  Marked with 1828 assay marks. The hot milk jug is a rare form in American silver and this is an unusually early example of fully-devloped scenic repossé work. ³⁰

• He worked in 1831-1846 as a silversmith in Baltimore MD from shop at 144 Baltimore Street. ³⁰

• Partnership: Henry Child Kirk, in 1846-1861, in Baltimore MD. As S. KIRK & SON at 172 Baltimore Street. ³⁰

• Alternate Mark. For S. KIRK & SON

• Alternate Mark. For S. KIRK & SON

• He appeared on the census in 1850 in Baltimore MD. Listed as a silversmith.

• Advertised: Baltimore Directory, in 1852. ³⁰

• Example: Lable, in 1861-1868, in Private Collection.

• Partnership: Henry Child, Charles Douglas, and Edwin Clarence Kirk, in 1861-1868, in Baltimore MD. As S. KIRK & SONS at 172 Baltimore Street. ³⁰

• Example: Receipt from Samuel Kirk & Son, in 1868, in Maryland Historical Society.

• Partnership: Henry Child Kirk, in 1868-1870, in Baltimore MD. As S. KIRK & SON at 172 Baltimore Street. ³⁰

• Example: Hot water kettle on stand, circa 1870, in Private Collection. H:13.1/8"
  wt: 67.4 troy oz
  From the assembled repossee tea service owned by Anna (Hall) Roosevelt and passing to Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt.
  
  

• Partnership: Henry Child Kirk and Henry, Jr., in 1870-1896, in Baltimore MD. As S. KIRK & SON. ³⁰

Samuel married Albina Powell on 18 Mar 1817 in Baltimore MD. (Albina Powell was born on 28 Oct 1796 in Philadelphia PA and died on 23 Dec 1865.)