WINDHAM, CONNECTICUT, CONGREGATIONAL
CHURCH
Founded in 1700.
N this church are eight plain silver beakers with straight sides and curved
lips, all, except two, having moulded bases.
The first and second beakers are a pair and are inscribed in one line:
John * Catef * legacy to * the * Church * In * Windham *
I*C
Height, 4 in.; diameter, 32 in.
Makers' marks:        , for John Allen (1671-1760) and John Edwards
(circa 1670-1746) of Boston.
The third beaker is inscribed in one line:
lohn * Cates Legacy to * the * Church * In * Windham
Height, 3 in.; diameter, 3' in.
Maker's mark: @, for William Cowell of Boston (1682-1736).
The donor of these three beakers, John Cates (Kates, Keats) was the first white
settler in Windham, where he died July i i or 16, 1697. Barber, in his Historical
Collections, says he " served in the wars in England, holding a commission under
Cromwell." On the restoration of Charles II to the throne, Cates fled to this
country for safety, and, in order to avoid his pursuers, finally settled in the
wilderness of what is now Windham. His gravestone, illustrated in Iindham's
Bicentennial, bears this inscription: "In memory of Mr John Cates He was
a Gentleman born in England & the first settler in the Town of Windham
by his last Will & Testament he gave a generous Legacy to ye first Church of
Christ in Windham In plate & a generous Legacy in Land for ye support of ye
poor & another Legacy for ye Support of ye School In Said Town for ever;
he died in Windham July ye 16th AD 1697." These two legacies were
200 acres of land at Windham for the poor and the school. He bequeathed
to Rev. Samuel Whiting of Windham his negro, Joe, and a bed, and the remain-
der of his estate to his housekeeper, Mary Howard, sister of Benjamin Howard,
provided that if any of his children should come over from England, they should
enjoy his estate. None of his children crossed over to America to claim it. John
Cates also bequeathed ten pounds to this church, with which these three beakers
were doubtless bought.
The fourth and fifth beakers are a pair and are inscribed:
The Gft of Rebeca Tileston to the frst Church in [Vindham
Height, 4 in.; diameter of the mouth, 2- in.
No maker's mark.
500