Daniel I. Tenney Figurehead and Daniel I. Tenney half-hull model now on exhibit at Newburyport Custom House Maritime Museum
Contact: Kathleen Brittan, Interim Executive Director
978-462-8681 or [email protected]
Daniel I. Tenney (1800-1881), a native of Newburyport, was a successful jeweler and generous benefactor to his beloved hometown. He is memorialized as a figurehead from his namesake ship, constructed in 1875 in Newburyport. Both this beautifully restored figurehead, on loan from the Nantucket Historical Association, and a half-hull model of the Daniel I. Tenney brig, on loan from TD Bank Newburyport, are now on exhibit at the Custom House Maritime Museum.
“We thank the Nantucket Historical Association and TD Bank Newburyport for these loans. We find it fitting that this meticulously restored figurehead, alongside a half-hull model of the 212-foot long, 1686-ton Daniel I. Tenney Tenney Figurehead; photo courtesy of Nantucket Historical Association
brig, a remarkable feat of construction at its time, will be available for viewing at the Museum. This new exhibit allows us to celebrate Mr. Tenney’s place in both local and maritime history while exploring his philanthropy’s impact in shaping our beautiful city” notes CHMM Board Chairman Jack Santos.
Through research conducted by CHMM volunteer and historian Clarisse A. Poirier, Ph.D., we found reported in Newburyport Daily News, September 23, 1875, p. 2, “Mr. Tenney now takes an eighth interest in this new ship, only to keep alive his love for the birthplace of his ancestors as well as himself, and to be associated with her industries and history. He will decorate the vessel with a handsome set of flags and signal letters in appreciation of the compliment that the vessel is to bear his name, and she will be further ornamented by a full-length figure of Mr. Tenney on her bow.”
“The full-length wood carving of Daniel I. Tenney was the work of Herbert Gleason (1830-1893), a member of a distinguished family of ship carvers in Boston and New York,” continues Dr. Poirier. “The Currier Family Papers, 1736-1913, preserved at the Peabody Essex Museum Collections in Rowley, Massachusetts, document that Herbert Gleason carved several figureheads for John Currier, Jr.’s ships, including the Daniel I. Tenney. Currier kept detailed records of expenses incurred in constructing his ships, particularly the cost of “extras.” His record of “Extras on Ship 91” [Daniel I. Tenny] shows $175.00 spent on the ship’s figurehead.”
French artist Edouard Adam (1847-1929) painted the Ship Daniel I. Tenney nearing Le Havre, France, in 1880. Collection of the Custom House Maritime Museum.
Tenney’s generous support of the city is still on display today. In 1863, he contributed to a fund to purchase and remodel the old Tracy House for use as a public library. Then, in 1877, he paid for the installation of bronze lamp posts that once stood on Pleasant St. in front of City Hall, at the very site where his father had died. His largest gift was the statue of George Washington that still graces the Bartlett Mall. Interestingly enough, the City’s mayor at the unveiling ceremony on February 22, 1879, was John J. Currier (1834-1912), son of the builder of the Ship Daniel I. Tenney. (source: Newburyport Daily News, July 5, 1893, p. 2).
The CHMM summer hours through the end of September are Tuesday and Wednesday, noon to 5 p.m.; Thursday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. Beginning in October, winter hours are Thursday through Saturday from 10 am to 5 pm and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m.
