Lot Essay
The teapot and waste bowl (lot 116) form part of an extensive collection of decorative arts associated with the prominent Stockton family of Delaware. Thomas Stockton (1781-1846), Governor of Delaware, was the grand nephew of Richard Stockton, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. His marriage to Fidelia Rogerson Johns in 1804 in New Castle united the Stockton family to two other prominent families: Van Dyke and Johns. Fidelia Rogerson Johns was the daughter of Kensey Johns and the granddaughter of Nicholas Van Dyke, Governor of Delaware.
Amstel House in New Castle served as the home of Delaware's first Governor, Nicholas Van Dyke, and was the site of his daughter Anna's wedding to Kensey Johns. The family remained in the New Castle area after moving from Amstel House in 1789. When Amstel House became the property of the New Castle Historical Society in 1929, Elizabeth Moore, granddaughter of Thomas and Fidelia Stockton, donated numerous pieces to the Society. Other heirlooms retained by Elizabeth Moore subsequently passed to the Du Pree branch of the Stockton family. Lots 116, 120 and lots 320-324 descended with this branch of the family.
Amstel House in New Castle served as the home of Delaware's first Governor, Nicholas Van Dyke, and was the site of his daughter Anna's wedding to Kensey Johns. The family remained in the New Castle area after moving from Amstel House in 1789. When Amstel House became the property of the New Castle Historical Society in 1929, Elizabeth Moore, granddaughter of Thomas and Fidelia Stockton, donated numerous pieces to the Society. Other heirlooms retained by Elizabeth Moore subsequently passed to the Du Pree branch of the Stockton family. Lots 116, 120 and lots 320-324 descended with this branch of the family.