SUMMARY
Joseph Copeland was the first documented practicing pewterer in Virginia. Born in England, in 1666 he was apprenticed to a pewterer. By 1675 he had settled in Isle of Wight County, where he practiced his trade. During excavations at Jamestown in the mid-1930s, archaeologists recovered a spoon bowl and a trifid spoon handle with Copeland’s touchmark, reading “Ioseph Copeland / 1675 / Chuckatuck.” Similar examples found in the vicinity are often designated Copeland or Chuckatuck spoons. In 1688 Copeland became the caretaker of the “utensills & Ornaments” of the House of Burgesses. He last appeared in extant public records on April 22, 1691, when he submitted a petition seeking payment for his custodial work.
Indigenous Acknowledgment
Virginia Humanities acknowledges the Monacan Nation, the original people of the land and waters of our home in Charlottesville, Virginia.
We invite you to learn more about Indians in Virginia in our
Encyclopedia Virginia.