The magazine of history with notes and queries, Vol. II, No. 6, December 1905Various
History
The magazine of history with notes and queries, Vol. II, No. 6, December 1905
Various
History -- Periodicals; United States -- History -- Periodicals
Of nearly equal importance as a record is the certificate of Barry’s
membership in the Society of the Cincinnati. With this Mrs. Hepburn
has also the handsome jewelled badge of the order presented to him by
Lafayette. It is in the regular form of the organization’s emblem, but
is very ornate. It was manufactured in France. Also in Mrs. Hepburn’s
possession is Stuart’s original portrait, a copy of which, by Colin
Campbell Cooper, was presented to the city by the Hibernian Society
in 1895, and now hangs in Independence Hall. The Stuart portrait was
painted in this city.
Among the relics is a set of china, much of which was used on the
frigate _Alliance_. Among these is a punch bowl and pitcher in white
china, with a good picture of the frigate under full sail on each.
This china was probably made in France, but that point has not as
yet been definitely determined. What were also probably used on the
ship are a number of glass goblets and other glassware, which are not
particularly fine as to design and manufacture, but are none the less
cherished as relics. There is also a considerable quantity of French
china, with the monogram S. B., for Sarah Barry, on it, and a number of
dinner plates, which were probably used in his house. Pertaining more
closely to the commander’s seafaring career are one of his swords, a
gun, and a full-dress uniform, the latter consisting of yellow nankeen
knee breeches and vest, with a blue frock coat with immense brass
buttons. The size of these garments emphasizes the well-known fact
that the commodore was a very large man. Originally among the relics
were a pair of silver knee buckles, which, before the collection came
into the hands of its present owner, were melted down and made into
teaspoons. How big they were may be inferred from the fact that they
made six spoons. Mrs. Hepburn has these spoons, but says she would much
prefer to have the silver in its original form of buckles. Commodore
Barry’s watch is also in the collection, as is a large solid silver ale
tankard, which was probably used on land.
Barry’s tomb in St. Mary’s churchyard is one of the most impressive
mementos of him because of the inscription which it bears. The original
tomb was erected by the commodore’s widow, but this became dilapidated
through the ravages of time and the inscription, written by Dr.
Benjamin Rush, a copy of which has been preserved in the Ridgeway
branch of the Philadelphia Library, was barely decipherable as early
as 1865. In 1876 the tomb was repaired, and now bears the following
inscription:
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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