Miss-Delectable
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Journal Inquirer - Deaf silversmith born in 1775 honored
A history of a deaf, locally-born contemporary of famed Colonial silversmith Paul Revere has been compiled as part of the 190th anniversary of the American School for the Deaf.
Douglas Library Director Mary Ellen Beck wrote the brief booklet about Samuel Gilbert, an 18th- and 19th-century silversmith who was part of prominent local family - many of whom were deaf.
Gilbert was born in Hebron on Jan. 13, 1775, the first son and one of 13 children born to Sylvester Gilbert and Patience Barber.
Sylvester Gilbert was also deaf, as were four other Gilbert children.
Yet, being deaf apparently wasn't an impediment to the family, despite the era.
Sylvester Gilbert was a lawyer and judge, and also served in the 15th U.S. Congress and the state General Assembly to which he was elected 31 times, the first in 1780 at the age of 25.
Thirty years later, in 1810, Sylvester Gilbert founded a school for the education of lawyers; 56 of its students went on to practice law or serve in the United States Senate.
Beck was prompted to write the booklet as part of the anniversary celebration of the American School for the Deaf in West Hartford.
The school was founded in 1817. A four-day, 190-mile Historic Bike Tour, marking the school's anniversary, has included stops significant to the school's history and marks the contributions of deaf Connecticut residents.
The tour stopped Thursday in Hebron and concludes Saturday at the school in West Hartford.
Samuel Gilbert's sister, Mary, who was born in 1796, was the school's twelfth student, attending from 1817 to 1821.
Among the school's artifacts are a Gilbert spoon, which will be loaned to the Douglas Library next year for display during Hebron's 300th anniversary.
Samuel Gilbert was an accomplished silversmith, "and his work is highly prized by American collectors today," the school says.
Paul Revere's last dated silver piece bears a tribute to Gilbert, who served as secretary of the Massachusetts Mechanic Association.
A history of a deaf, locally-born contemporary of famed Colonial silversmith Paul Revere has been compiled as part of the 190th anniversary of the American School for the Deaf.
Douglas Library Director Mary Ellen Beck wrote the brief booklet about Samuel Gilbert, an 18th- and 19th-century silversmith who was part of prominent local family - many of whom were deaf.
Gilbert was born in Hebron on Jan. 13, 1775, the first son and one of 13 children born to Sylvester Gilbert and Patience Barber.
Sylvester Gilbert was also deaf, as were four other Gilbert children.
Yet, being deaf apparently wasn't an impediment to the family, despite the era.
Sylvester Gilbert was a lawyer and judge, and also served in the 15th U.S. Congress and the state General Assembly to which he was elected 31 times, the first in 1780 at the age of 25.
Thirty years later, in 1810, Sylvester Gilbert founded a school for the education of lawyers; 56 of its students went on to practice law or serve in the United States Senate.
Beck was prompted to write the booklet as part of the anniversary celebration of the American School for the Deaf in West Hartford.
The school was founded in 1817. A four-day, 190-mile Historic Bike Tour, marking the school's anniversary, has included stops significant to the school's history and marks the contributions of deaf Connecticut residents.
The tour stopped Thursday in Hebron and concludes Saturday at the school in West Hartford.
Samuel Gilbert's sister, Mary, who was born in 1796, was the school's twelfth student, attending from 1817 to 1821.
Among the school's artifacts are a Gilbert spoon, which will be loaned to the Douglas Library next year for display during Hebron's 300th anniversary.
Samuel Gilbert was an accomplished silversmith, "and his work is highly prized by American collectors today," the school says.
Paul Revere's last dated silver piece bears a tribute to Gilbert, who served as secretary of the Massachusetts Mechanic Association.