Background
He was born in 1608 in England and emigrated to America as a young man. His father was Edward Sanderson (1575-1617), mother - Isaella Shiercliffe (1581-1613).
He was born in 1608 in England and emigrated to America as a young man. His father was Edward Sanderson (1575-1617), mother - Isaella Shiercliffe (1581-1613).
He and his wife, Lydia, were among the first settlers in Hampton, N. H. , in 1638. The following year he became a landholder and a freeman of Watertown, Massachussets.
Although his fame as a silversmith has suffered because of his association with John Hull, whose many sided activities made his name better known, Sanderson deserves a place in the front rank of the New England silversmiths. Having learned and practised his trade in England before coming to America, he was undoubtedly sought out for instruction by those who aspired to his craft. He was probably Hull's first teacher, through whom the principles of his art descended to Jeremiah Dummer, 1645-1718, John Coney, and the two Reveres. For the splendid tradition of the New England masters in exquisite workmanship and in a fine feeling for form and line, Sanderson, with his surviving work as evidence, must claim some credit. His mark consisted of his initials in crude capitals, surmounted by a rose or sun in outline, or by a sun in full splendor.
In 1652 John Hull was appointed to establish a powder mill in the colonies. He immediately chose Sanderson as his partner and the two men worked together for many years. The workshop was doubtless often left in the hands of Sanderson because of Hull's many public activities, trading and land interests.
The following year Sanderson moved to Boston where he lived the rest of his life. He became a deacon of the old First Church in 1668.
Robert Sanderson became a deacon of the First Church of Boston. He together with John Hull, his partner, and others established the first (gun) powder mill in Massachusetts in about 1675. A pair of silver cups made by John Hull and Robert Sanderson were estimated by Sotheby's for 300, 000 to 500, 000 dollars. He is listed on Watertown Founders Monument, commemorating the first settlers of Watertown, Massachusetts.
He had a wife Lydia. His first child was born at Watertown, Massachussets. In 1642, after the death of his first wife he married Mary, the widow of John Cross, of Middlesex County, Massachussets. She lived until 1681 and bore Sanderson four children. His third wife, Elizabeth, and three sons of his second marriage, all silversmiths, survived him.
