Earring Attributed to Pilgrim Mary Chilton, First Woman on Plymouth Rock

An archive comprised of an earring with provenance; a paper fragment dated 1662; a manuscript fragment from Hingham, Massachusetts; and a turn-of-the-century sepia-toned photographic print of "Plymouth in 1662."

A molded white metal figural earring attributed to Pilgrim Mary Chilton is affixed to a paper fragment via white stock paper and dark brown ribbon tabs. Comes with provenance material dated June 1, 1630 (though the handwriting looks eighteenth century, and was thus possibly a copy of the early document made at a later date) from Plymouth, Massachusetts. The document is inscribed, and signed: “This is one of the ear-rings removed after death from the left ear of Mary Chilton. Given under our hand and seal. Boniface Thatcher, Eujani (?) Drew." Part of a red wax stamped seal is indeed located at left. Two areas, one at top and one at bottom, with later pencil inscriptions. We feel that this date of 1630 is inaccurate based on the handwriting; the date was more likely in the early 1700s. The earring shows expected wear including rust. Paper with uneven edges, toning, and isolated discoloration. Earring measures 1.5” x 2.25”, paper measures 4.75” x 9.5”.

Accompanied by two paper fragments. The first is possibly inscribed in Dutch, illegibly signed lower right, and dated “Anno 1662” at lower left. In very good condition but with loss to top, fragment measuring 7.75” x 8”. The second is signed “E.L. Lincoln, Hingham”, in very good condition, with small tear and stain, fragment measuring 5.875” x 5.125”.

Also included is a sepia-colored photographic print of "Plymouth in 1662" after a W.L. Williams postcard image published by A.S. Burbank. Williams's artistic reimagining of the early Pilgrim colony identifies important buildings, such as the Old Fort, Store House, and residence of Governor Bradford, on the Plymouth shoreline. Mounted on cream-colored fiberboard. In very good condition with a few superficial stray marks and water droplets, actual size 8" x 5".

Mary Chilton (1607- ca. 1679) was purportedly the first European woman to step on Plymouth Rock in December 1621. According to legend, the thirteen-year-old Mayflower passenger exuberantly "leapt ahead" of more important Pilgrims. Historical records tell us that Mary was orphaned within two months of the Pilgrims’ arrival. She married John Winslow (1597-1674) and had ten children before dying sometime before the spring of 1679 in Boston. As Mary Chilton died approximately forty-nine years after the two signees signed and sealed this document in a different city, it is unknown how this earring might have been removed from her corpse after death. For many reasons, this item must be offered as only "attributed" and cannot be verified beyond that. The valuation reflects this uncertainty. No matter its origin, however, this crudely fashioned earring testifies to an ongoing appreciation of our early Pilgrim heritage.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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