Captain Abraham Gould, the donor, was the son of Abraham and Mary Gould,
his father having been one of the founders of this church. He was probably
married three times. His first wife's name would seem to have been Moley; she
died January 6, 1 787, aged 45, and was buried in Stoneham graveyard. He
married (ii), October i6, 17 8 8, Mary Brown, who died May 2 6, 1x793, aged
5 3; and (iii), May 9, I 797, Tabitha Pratt (Reading Records). Captain Abraham
Gould is mentioned first as ensign in I 7 75, captain  i 7 7 7, and recruiting
officer in 1784-
STONINGTON, CONNECTICUT, FIRST CONGREGA-
TIONAL CHURCH
Founded in 1674.
OUR plain silver beakers are in this church. The first has a cylindrical
body with a moulded lip and base. Inscription, in one line:
The Gift of Mr EBENR SEARLE to thefirst Church in Stonington
1786
Height, 31 in.; diameter, 2 in.
No maker's mark.
Ebenezer Searle, the donor, was the son of John and Katharine (Warner) Searle,
and was born at Boston, March 6, 1666. He married, January 14, 1697, Mar-
garet Searle, probably of Roxbury, Massachusetts. Both joined this church July 8,
I 705. He represented Stonington in the general assembly of Connecticut in I7 15,
1 72 o and 11725, and served the town as selectman for several years. He died in
January, 17 40, without issue. In his will, dated January 17, I 7 3 9-40, and proved
February 5 following, are the following legacies: " I give to the Reverend Mr.
Ebenezer Rossiter io money," and "I give ,5 to ye Society to help procure
Eutencials for ye Sacrament." The above beaker was doubtless bought with this
legacy, though apparently not until I 786. His wife, Margaret, is mentioned in
his will.
The second beaker is like the first. No inscription.
Maker's mark: u f. , for William Thomson of New York, circa 18 30.
The two other beakers are a pair, having cylindrical bodies and mouldings of
acorns and flowers on the lips and bases.
Height, 3 in.; diameter of the mouths, 3 - in.
Maker's mark: G.EED, for Garrett Eoff of New York (1785-.1850).

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