Sword

Object Name:

Sword

Object ID:

2021.009

Date:

1775

Description:

Sword and scabbard, originally owned by Maj. Samuel Gregg (1738-1808) of Londonderry, NH. Silver hilt with a curved hand guard; carved ivory grip surmounted by a pommel in shape of an eagle's head. Curved, forged, double-sided steel blade. The scabbard is made of remnants of stitched leather with a silver-plated locket and ring at top and brass-plated chape at end; decorative pierced work plated, curved metal bracket suspended by two chains for attachment to a belt.

Material:

Metal
Steel
Silver
Brass
Leather

Provenance:

Colonial and Revolutionary War soldier, Samuel Gregg, was born in 1738 to John Gregg and Agnes Rankin of Londonderry, NH. Gregg enlisted in the provincial service of the British army for one year in the spring of 1758, serving in Nova Scotia. He returned home to Londonderry, where he learned the trade of foot wheelmaking from his brother James. Working at wheelmaking for approximately one year, Gregg eventually removed to a lot of land in the northern part of Peterborough that his father had given to him for farming. After clearing some of the land and building a house, he returned to Londonderry and married Agnes Smiley (1744-1803) in March, 1763, moving permanently to Peterborough in July. Gregg served, in succession, as a sergeant, 2nd lieutenant, and 1st lieutenant in local militia companies, participating in the Battle of Lexington, and eventually rising to the rank of major by the beginning of the Revolution. He served as member of the Committee of Safety in Peterborough, 1779, and again served as a major in the 12th Regiment, New Hampshire militia, under the command of Colonel Francis Blood of Temple in 1786. Samuel Gregg and Agnes Smiley farmed and raised a family of four sons and four daughters. Among his sons was famed Boston, MA, chairmaker, Samuel Gragg (1772-1855).

The Samuel Gregg sword was exhibited at the annual meeting of the Missouri Society of the Sons of the American Revolution, in St. Louis on February 22, 1896. Barbara Farrar Preneta, the donor, is the great-great-great-great-great granddaughter of Samuel Gregg.

Credit Line:

Gift of the William Gregg Farrar Family

People:

Gregg, Samuel (1738-1808)

Subjects:

Swords, Eagle, Revolutionary War