Brewster Spoon

Puritan spoon, circa 1684
London
Latten (brass) metal
DRHS Collection, 2013.017.001

This spoon was discovered on the Brewster property (“The Brewster Lilacs”), which is owned by the Duxbury Rural and Historical Society. It was recovered during an archaeological dig overseen by Craig Chartier of the Plymouth Archaeological Rediscovery Project in 2012. There were a number of 17th century items discovered, understood to have been used by Brewster descendants living on the property.

This property is located on Marshall St. and was included in William Brewster’s landholdings in Duxbury, which was originally comprised of 80 acres on Standish Shore. Around 1634, he built a house at the location, possibly upon the marriage of his son, Love.

William Brewster was born circa 1568 in Scrooby, England. After traveling to America onboard the Mayflower with his wife, Mary and two of their children, Elder Brewster was a respected and honored member of the new community, acting as its religious leader. He was granted land in Duxbury in 1632. He farmed the land, although his primary residence continued to be in Plymouth.

The property housed generations of Brewsters, and later, Soules, descendants of Mayflower Pilgrim George Soule. The name “Brewster Lilacs” comes from the prominent tree on the property. Local, oral tradition states that the lilacs were brought in the 17th century from Holland. The property was purchased in 1948 by the DRHS, from Howard and Flora Brewer.

In 2012, an archaeological test pit examination was conducted on the site, recovering more than 17,000 items. These include Native American artifacts and objects relating to the Brewster and Soule families including several from the 17th century confirming the c. 1634 house.

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