Rufus Greene
- Born: 30 May 1707, Boston MA
- Marriage (1): Katherine Stanbridge on 10 Dec 1728 in Boston MA
- Died: 31 Dec 1777, Boston MA
General notes:
Silversmith
Events in his life were:
- Buhler:, . 10
The diary of his son William indicates that Rufus was apprenticed to William Cowell, who was one of the witnesses to his grandmother Gould's will in 1711. His wife died in 1768 and was survived by seven children, two of whom, including Katherine, who had married John Amory, predeceased their father, whose will was written in 1772 and probated in January, 1778. The inventory of his estate mentioned a house occupied by the goldsmith Benjamin Pierpont; his silver was itemized but not valued: "1 tankard 3 Porringers 2 Cans 1 Caster / 1 Cup 6 table & 15 tea Spoons 1 Sugar Tongs / 1 Creampot 2 knives & 1 fork." The tankard was that by David Jesse.
- Pepper box, c 1728
Museum of Fine Arts, Boston 10
h: 3 7/8"
w: 2 1/16" (base)
wtt: 3 oz
Engraved G over R * K for Rufus and Katherine (Stanbridge) Greene.
- Boston MA, 1728: paid £ 27-18 by the estate of the Honorable John Menzies for mourning rings. 10
- He worked in 1728-1749 as a silversmith in Boston MA
In his account book he recorded "I Began or Sett up my Bisness October the 7:1728 and the Making of the things from that time to January the 1:1732 Came to £1624..6..0."
After establishing himself as a silversmith, he began to expand his business interests as a land speculator and general merchant in association with his brother, Benjamin. By 1849, deeds and contracts record him as a merchant of Boston, though he may have occasionally practiced his old trade. 9
- Cann, c 1730-1735
Cleveland Museum of Fine Art
h: 5 1/4"
- Caster, c 1730-1735
Yale University 13
h: 4 3/16"
d: 1 13/16" (of base)
wt: 3 oz, 12 dwt
Engraved F R for Faith Robinson.
- Advertised in 1733 (Boston MA), stolen spoons and mentions "the Maker's name, R. Greene, at length" indicating perhaps the newness of a surname mark. 10
- Box, c 1750
Museum of Fine Arts, Boston 10
h: 3/8"
w: 1 3/4"
l: 2 1/4"
Made for James Ivers
Rufus married Katherine Stanbridge on 10 Dec 1728 in Boston MA. (Katherine Stanbridge was born about 1708 in Boston MA and died on 13 Jan 1768 in Boston MA.)
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