Delft Plate, late 17th century
Tin-glazed earthenware
Gift of Mrs. Nils Anderson, Jr., D264.01

The Historical Society continues to inspire the return of objects associated with the Bush family.  The following are part of this small but important collection. 

English tin-glazed earthenware was an accessible and affordable alternative to Chinese porcelains.  Family history says that this plate originally belonged to the Bush family.  In the estate inventory of Captain Benjamin Isaacs (January 2, 1776), Sarah's first husband, are listed “3 Delph Platters.”  Although neither the estate inventory of David Bush (June 13, 1797) nor that of Sarah (October 23, 1824) specifically lists three Delft platters, both list blue and white cups, saucers and plates.

Cradle, late 17th century
Wood
Gift of William M. Morgan, D204.01 

According to family history, this small cradle was used by the Bush family.  The estate inventory of Sarah Bush (October 23, 1824) lists "1 cradle 50c" although there is no mention of a cradle in the estate inventories of either Sarah's first or second husbands.

Artist unknown
Sarah Bush Morgan (1818-1899), ca. 1850
Oil on canvas

The Historical Society of the Town of Greenwich purchased with funds contributes by Hobart Holly, William E. Finch, Jr. and members of the Town of Greenwich, 1989.01

William Dunlap (1766-1839)
Sarah Isaacs Bush (1742-1824), 1815
Oil on canvas
Gift of Mrs. Edward S. Lloyd, D205

Sarah Bush Morgan was born in New York City in 1818.  She was the daughter of Ralph Isaacs Bush (1781-1860) and Elizabeth VerVeelen (1798-1881) and granddaughter of Sarah Isaacs Bush and David Bush.  She married Peter U. Morgan (1808-1897) in 1841 and they had one son, William Moseley Morgan (1846-1936).  It is through their grandson, H. Hobart Holly that many of the pieces belonging to the Bush family have been returned to Bush-Holley House.

The sampler is worked in both cross and satin stitch.  Below the central basket of flowers is stitched “Sarah Bush Aged 8 years New York." Above the basket is a four-line verse:  When we devote our youth to God/Tis pleasure in his eyes/A flower withered in the bud/is no vain sacrifice.

Sarah Bush Morgan, (1818-1899)
Sampler, 1826
Silk thread on flax
Gift of Mrs. Henry Hobart Holly, 1989.03