A SILVER BEAKER OF HISTORICAL INTEREST

Major Bushill Sill was the regimental commander of the British Army’s 63rd Regiment of Foot which landed in the American Colonies in 1775. They were called in as reinforcements to the impending outbreak of the American Revolution. The regiment took part in the battle of Bunker Hill, where they participated in the final bayonet charge that broke the American defensive lines. After Boston, they had a brief respite in Halifax, before being sent to New York, where they participated in the battle of Long Island, another crushing victory against the Americans. Presumably, it was during this occupation of New York that Major Sill purchased this beaker from Lewis Fueter. After a brief respite in occupied New York, Major Sill led his men through battle of Forts Clinton and Montgomery, where he was killed toward the beginning of October 1777.