Lemuel Savery (1757 - abt 1796) of Plymouth most likely learned from William Coye who married Savery's sister. Savery became a skilled carver and he influenced Plymouth carvers Amaziah Harlow Jr and Nathaniel Holmes. Savery carved life like winged heads which are widely distributed on Cape Cod. Identifying characteristics of the winged heads include round eyes, eyelids which taper to the sides, realistic nose & mouth, three feathers in each wing and a two layered scallop border. Another style of winged head had a top knot in the hair and more than three feathers in each wing. He also carved winged skulls but the bulk of his work after 1782 was winged heads.
Recent research published by James Blachowicz (AGS Quarterly - Summer 2000) suggests that Samuel and Nehemiah Burbank possibly apprenticed under Savery in the early 1790's and carved or lettered some of the gravestones listed below (also see Burbank carvers). Both Burbanks stopped carving when Savery died about 1796. Literature sources confirm several of the following gravestones as produced by the Savery shop. However it also is possible that some of the following were produced by William Coye or Amaziah Harlow Jr. in Plymouth.
Jonathan Cole (1791) - Eastham Bridge Road Cem. |
Benjamin Snow (1793) - Truro Old North Cem. |
William Chipman (1795) - Wellfleet Cem. |
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