September 26, 2018 O'Connor's Americana Collection
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 9/26/2018
The bottle of hand-blown black glass, stands 9 1/2" tall and the concave base is 4 1/4" in diameter. The front features an embossed seal "Timo./Horsfield/1771". Excellent condition with one minor chip at rear of opening. Complete with many notes detailing Walter O'Connor's study of the bottle and Horsfield, as well as his research, copies of documents written by Horsfield, and a display poster regarding the bottle. Tim Horsfield of Liverpool, England, born in 1708, was one of the most important Moravian leaders in the 18th Century Bethlehem. A butcher by trade, he immigrated to the American colonies in 1725 and settled on Long Island, New York. In 1731 he married Mary Doughty, a Quaker. Mr. Horsfield became acquainted with Bishop David Nitschmann (1696-1772) and entertained many Moravian missionaries traveling between the colonies and Europe as well as the West Indies. In 1749, the Horsfields moved to Bethlehem, Pennsylvania and took occupancy of a new stone house built for them. The house still stands on the north side of Market Street opposite the old Moravian Cemetery. Horsfield became a leading Moravian figure known especially for his abilities as a mediator in the evangelistic activities between Indians and the Moravian Church. In 1752, he succeeded Frederick Antes as Justice of the Peace in Bethlehem. He held that office until 1764. During the 1763 uprising of the Indian tribes, which was led by Ottawa Chief Pontiac, Mr. Horsfield was commissioned as Colonel in the militia of Northampton County. On March 9th, 1773 Timothy Horsfield, one of Bethlehem's greatest leaders, departed this life at age 65. His wife followed him on October 14th, 1773. The pages of the published Colonial Records and the Pennsylvania Archives are replete with correspondence between Mr. Horsfield and virtually every important Pennsylvania colonial personality.
Item Dimensions: 10" tall.