Pelletreau Silver Shop

This 1686 trade shop is the oldest continuously, opened trade shop in the Americas. It was originally built for Stephen Boyer’s as a dry goods shop. It was purchased in 1728 by Francis Pelletreau, a prosperous whale oil merchant, but its most famous occupant was his grandson, Elias Pelletreau, an acclaimed silversmith and celebrated patriot. Between 1750 and 1810, Elias Pelletreau crafted the tankards, flatware, porringers and other highly artistic but utilitarian items that are today collected by museums and fetch thousands of dollars. During the Revolutionary War, Pelletreau organized the local militia and could frequently be seen drilling his forces.