Bric-a-brac

Object Name:

Bric-a-brac

Object ID:

2014.010.13

Creator:

Martin, Henry

Date:

circa 1888

Description:

Miniature Souvenir Top Hat. Paper and silk. Printed "Made of U.S. National Green- / backs, / redeemed and macerated at / the U.S. Treasury. Estimated $5,000." on paper label at top of hat. Red silk ribbon tied in bow around crown base.

Material:

Paper
Silk

Dimensions:

H-1.9 W-2.5 L-3.25 inches

Provenance:

George Washington Gordon was born February 2, 1834, the son of Joseph Quincy Adams and Lydia Fowler (Hayes) Gordon. Educated at Alden Partridge's Gymnasium and Military Collegiate Institute in Pembroke, Gordon married Angeline Streeter on September 18, 1854. He worked in Boston trying to earn enough money to buy a farm, when the Civil War broke out. He returned to enlist in the 2nd Regiment for three months, first on April 22, 1861. He then reenlisted for three years on May 22, 1861, and was commissioned Sergeant Major on June 10, 1861. He was appointed 2nd Lieutenant on July 29, 1861, and 1st Lieutenant on July 8, 1862. Wounded at the Battle of Bull Run, Gordon was appointed Captain of Company I on September 1, 1862. Gordon was wounded again on July 2, 1863, at the Battle of Gettysburg and killed on June 3, 1864, at the Battle of Cold Harbor, Virginia.

This collection of objects and letters was assembled and kept by Angeline Streeter, the widow of Capt. George W. Gordon. The objects were carried by Capt. Gordon during the Civil War.

Credit Line:

Gift of Jane L. Gordon in memory of the George E. Gordon family of Suncook, N.H.

People:

Gordon, George Washington (1834-1864)

Subjects:

Civil War, Currency, Money, Souvenirs