Cornelius C. Moore, a lawyer, banker, politician, and leader of several prominent organizations, was a pivotal contributor to American art and history through his extensive, and well developed, colonial silver collection. Committed to civic and religious duties, Moore generously contributed his time, energy, and material wealth to Rhode Island government, educational facilities, and charitable associations. In addition, he shared with the public his avid interest in colonial Rhode Island silversmiths’ work. Over several years, Moore was able to compile one of the foremost American colonial silver collections from the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. His desire to share the historical, artistic, and educational merits of the silver, has produced substantial referential material to better appreciate the unique aspects of this collection.

The collection’s focus on Rhode Island silver work may be attributed to Cornelius C. Moore’s life-long residency in Newport, Rhode Island. Born in 1885 to John J. and Katherine M. Moore, he became a prominent citizen of Newport and the greater Rhode Island state. Before passing the bar in 1916, Moore worked as as a clerk on the Rhode Island Board of Health. Within three years, Moore established the law firm of Moore, Virgadamo, Boyle, and Lynch, where he assumed the responsibilities of a senior member. He was later awarded an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from Salve Regina College in 1961. Moore also served as director (1935) and Vice-President (1942) of the Newport National Bank, before being named the bank President in 1950.

Moore’s interest in the law encouraged him to pursue public life. He served as a Rhode Island delegate to the Democratic National Conventions of 1936, 1940, and 1944. He was a member of the bar of the Supreme Court of Rhode Island, a commissioner of the United States District Court for the District of Rhode Island, chairman of the Rhode Island Representative Council, and a member of Rhode Island State Council of Defense. Moore also was a member of the Rhode Island Port Authority and served as Mayor of Newport. [DATES]

Apart from these political posts, Moore was actively involved in a number of religious and educational organizations. These positions include chairman of the Bishop’s Campaign Fund, Knight of St. Gregory, chairman of the 37th Annual Catholic Charities Appeal, chairman emeritus of the board of trustees for Salve Regina College, member of the President’s Council at Providence College, and founder of Portsmouth Priory (Portsmouth Abbey).

He was also an advocate for Irish freedom and served as Vice President of the Irish-American Historical Society. Moore was committed to advancing higher learning in Rhode Island and made significant donations to Salve Regina College, most notably the “Four Acres” Ochre Point Avenue property in 1950. As a result of his generosity, Salve Regina dedicated Moore Hall in his name.

In spite of Moore’s array of commitments, he found time to amass a extensive silver collection from the American colonial period 1670-1830. Although the collection revolved around Rhode Island silversmiths, such as Jonathan Hull and Robert Sanderson, Arnold Collins, Samuel Casey, Samuel Vernon and Jonathan Otis, Moore also attained pieces from notable colonists such as Paul Revere, John Edwards, Moody Russell, Myer Myers and Samuel Avery. Moore was fascinated by the historical and artistic elements of each object and piece’s creator. He frequently permitted public display of the collection to engage and educate those likewise enthralled by colonial antiques. Moore compiled an impressive quantity of biographical, genealogical, and artistic research on each silversmith and work he owned.

After a long period of illness, Cornelius C. Moore passed away on August 11, 1976 at age eighty-five.

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The correspondence and research which comprise this collection reveal the effort and time spent by Cornelius C. Moore to accumulate one of the foremost silver collections from the American colonial period.

Moore, an ardent collector, understood the educative element of the collection, and was thorough in his study of each silversmith and object produced. Although Moore was primarily interested in Rhode Island silver pieces, he appreciated the craftsmanship and historical importance of silver produced in other colonies. His dedication in amassing an array of American silver led to his acquisition of work from prominent colonial silversmiths, including Paul Revere, Myer Myers, Arnold Collins, John Edwards, Samuel Casey, Samuel Vernon, and Jonathan Otis.

Included are photographs of the silver, which are the work of Mr. Brian Pelletier. Mr. Moore commissioned Pelletier to photograph the collection in order to compile a catalog for educative purposes. Moore also directed Mr. Hugh J. Gourley III to write descriptive analyses of each piece, but after Mr. Moore’s death, Mr. Gourely other commitments impeded him from completing the project. Pelletier and Gourely’s initial work became the foundation for American Silver 1670-1830: The Moore Collection at Providence College published by Providence College and the Rhode Island Bicentennial Foundation. Created by a Providence College senior seminar on art historical research methods (1978-1979), the work catalogues each piece from the Cornelius C. Moore silver collection according to geographical and chronological order.

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This collection is arranged into three series.

Series list

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Researchers wishing to find materials related to this collection should search the HELIN catalog with these index terms -- View the catalog record for this collection.

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The collection was originally owned and compiled by Cornelius C. Moore prior to its donation to Providence College.

Cornelius C. Moore papers, Providence College Library, Special and Archival Collections

In 1970, Cornelius C. Moore bequeathed the silver collection and the accompaning documentation to Providence College in order to expand the educative function of his collection.

This collection was originally processed in 1970.

Finding aid prepared by Archives staff in 1970.

Finding aid encoded by Shannon McNamara, 2009 Mar 3.

Open for research.

Terms governing use and reproduction: Photocopying and scanning of materials is a fee based service available in the repository and is allowed at the discretion of the Librarian of Special and Archival Collections when in compliance to the College's policy on copyright and publication.

The College subsequently auctioned off the silver collection for charitable purposes, although the reference materials and correspondence continue to be maintained for educative purposes.

For additional information on the Moore Silver Collection see:

American Silver 1670-1830: The Moore Collection at Providence College. Introduction by Alice H. R. Hauck; essays and catalogue by Anne E. Spokas [et al.] Providence: Providence College and the Rhode Island Bicentennial Foundation, 1980.

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