William Pinkney painted by Bouche, ca. 1795.Pinkney Family:  These silver spoons bear the Pinkney crest and are elegantly engraved with the initials “WAP," for  William and Anne Pinkney.  According to one source,  "William Pinkney was of the most distinguished members of the bar ever produced by Maryland."  Born on 19 March 1764 in Annapolis, Maryland, Pinkney was a true freedom fighter despite his own father's allegiance to the British Crown.  He attended St. John's College and soon found himself working in the law office of Jeremiah Townley Chase (who rented the Hammond-Harwood House in the 18th century).   Pinkney was admitted to the bar in 1786, and thereafter, began an amazing political career which piloted him all over the globe.  William Pinkney was not only the specially appointed minister to the Courts of Russia and Naples, but he distinguished himself at home as well.  He was elected Senator of the State of Maryland in 1811, and the following year he was appointed to Attorney-General by James Madison.  William Pinkney died on 25 February 1822.  His  brother owned  the Hammond-Harwood House for a short time, and his nephew Ninian was born within its walls. 

Silversmiths:  William Fearn was a practiced gold/silversmith living in London in the late 18th century.   His name first appears  in silver hallmarks around 1772-3, but an unidentified "WF" appears in conjunction with the initials "IK" as early as 1767.  George Smith's initials may make an appearance as early as 1765, but he definitely appears in hallmarks by 1782.  In 1786, Fearn and Smith become partners, working together until around 1792.  At this time, Smith's silver pieces are stamped with his name alone until about one year later when he joins forces with Thomas Hayter.  Smith maintains his business until at least 1812.   After breaking with Smith in the early 1790s, Fearn partnered with William Eley who had been apprenticed to the elder Fearn from 1770-1778.    By 1808, Fearn and Eley teamed up with William Chawner.  William Chawner's name appears individually in 1817 while the former silversmiths seem to disappear from the record.  The Pinkney dessert spoons are not the only items in the Hammond-Harwood House collection executed by Fearn and one of his partners.  The museum was recently gifted a silver ladle by William Fearn and William Eley;  the object is now on permanent display in the Ballroom.