American Silversmiths

Jacob Wilcox
(1758-1841)
Rachel Porter
(1758-1847)
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Cyprian Wilcox
(1795-1875)

 

Family Links

Spouses/Children:

1. Catherine De Witt

Cyprian Wilcox
  • Born: 22 Sep 1795, Berlin CT
  • Marriage (1): Catherine De Witt on 4 May 1819 in Sparta GA
  • Died: 24 Feb 1875, Ithaca NY

  General notes:

Silversmith

  Events in his life were:


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  • Alternate Mark
  • He worked in 1817-1818 as a silversmith in Sparta GA
    On Dec. 9, 1817, John P. Turner deeded lot No. 34 in Sparta to Cyprian Wilcox, and it was on this lot that he had his silversmith shop. 14
  • He was a partner in Mar 1818-Apr 1819 with Leonard Perkins in Sparta GA as WILCOX & PERKINS 15
  • Cutten/GA:
    In March 1818, he took Leonard Perkins into partnership, and the business was conducted under the firm name of WILCOX & PERKINS. On Jan. 20, 1819, Jonathan Roach sold to Cyprian Wilcox and Leonard Perkins lots Nos. 133 and 134 in Sparta for $1,900, but Perkins sold his interest in this transaction to Wilcox the following year for $900. Evidently the partnership of WILCOX & PERKINS was dissolved at this time, for on April 16, Leonard Perkins (of the late firm of WILCOX & PERKINS) advertised independently. On May 5, 1820, Wilcox gave a mortgage on lots Nos. 34, 133, and 134 in Sparta to Nathaniel Cornwall, Jr., of Cumberland County NC. His brother, Alvan, was at that time a silversmith at Fayetteville, Cumberland County NC. In 1821 he advertised that he continued his business of watch repairing and silversmithing, and hoped his attention and experience would warrant public patronage. He also had on consignment a quantity of boots and shoes and cold pressed castor oil. On Sept. 3, 1822 he offered a reward of $20 for the return of a horse. On July 9, a man by the name of M'Canless hired his horse to go to Washington County, but neither the man nor the horse had been heard from since. Evidently his business was not prosperous, for on the first Tuesday in August, 1823, the sheriff sold his possessions, even including his silversmith tools, to satisfy a judgment of Stephen Reed. If we can piece together the sequence of events, his father-in-law, Garrit DeWitt, bought Wilcox's necessary tools and supplies and advertised on June 12, 1824 that he had taken the stand occupied by Cyprian Wilcox for the past seven years and intended pursuing the business of watchmaking, silversmithing, &c.; the grocery business would also be carried on. It is presumed that Wilcox carried on the business in DeWitt's name. Further trouble was in store for Wilcox: on Jan. 29, following, his wife died. She was the daughter of Garrit DeWitt, formerly of Milford CT, and twenty-five years old. On Dec. 1, of that year, Wilcox advertised for sale a Negro woman and her two children. In April 1826, he published a notice as secretary of Steth Lodge, and also as secretary of the Branch Bible Society of Hancock. In December of that year, Garrit DeWitt notified the public that he would close his business in Sparta, and that C. Wilcox was authorized to act as his agent. Probably Wilcox left Sparta shortly after this. In 1827 he was a silversmith in New Haven, Conn., and later became an iron founder there. For several years he was the first selectman of New Haven and from 1855 to 1857 was Judge of Probate. He later moved to Ithaca NY were he died. 15
  • He worked in 1819-1827 as a silversmith in Sparta GA
    In August 1823, Wilcox was forced to sell his business to satisfy creditors and his father-in-law Garrett De Witt bought all the necessary tools and supplies. It is presumed that Wilcox carried on the business in DeWitt's name, who advertised that he had taken the stand occupied by Cyprian Wilcox for the past seven years and intended pursuing the business of watchmaking, silversmithing, &c. 14

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  • Sugar tongs, c 1825
    Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco
    l: 7 1/2"
  • He worked in 1827-1840 as a silversmith and clockmaker in New Haven CT he subsequently went into business as an iron founder. 14

Cyprian married Catherine De Witt, daughter of Garrett De Witt and Margaret Van Horn, on 4 May 1819 in Sparta GA. (Catherine De Witt was born in 1800 in Milford CT and died on 29 Jan 1824 in Sparta GA.)




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