Amelia Offley Bernard’s necklace
Amelia Offley (1717–1778) married Sir Francis Bernard in 1741 in England, and travelled with him, and four of their eight children, in 1755 to New Jersey where he was posted as governor of the colony. His posting was acquired through her family relations, namely her cousin Lord Barrington, Privy Councillor. She then came with him to his posting as the last governor of the Province of Massachusetts Bay in 1760 where they stayed until 1768.
Their time in Boston was marked with controversy over Writs of Assistance and his insistence in enforcing the numerous taxes levied on the colonists to pay for the Seven Years War. They were unpopular in Boston and an impromptu party was held to celebrate their departure, including decorating the Liberty Tree.
When they left, Lady Bernard gave this necklace to her friend, Mrs. M. Nichols, who later gave it to Rosanna Duncan Lamb, great-grandmother of the donors.
The necklace is made up of oval medallions set in silver with paste brilliants. The medallions joined by double links of hand-made silver chain. The clasp is tongue style which fits into the lock topped by another single medallion, surrounded by paste brilliants.
