On my first trip ever to Charleston, SC, I wanted to see as
much history as we could squeeze into the few days we were there. On our trip to the Fort Sumpter Visitor’s
Center, I spotted a partial French porcelain tea set from the 1830s.
Seeing cups and saucers that would have been part of
Charleston life wasn’t unexpected. However, the reason these artifacts were
included in the museum was. The set had
been donated for a Gunboat fair. Families gave up their prized possessions to
be sold or raffled off to raise money for the war effort, in this case, to
raise funds to build a gunboat for the Confederate Navy.
Items such as a tea set, a linen fan, even a string of
pearls—anything that might bring in some needed cash. Mary Boykin Chestnut,
raised the daughter of a planter and married to Brigadier General James
Chestnut, Jr., an aide to Confederate President Jefferson Davis, the frivolousness
of such heirlooms when lives were at stake:
“Our silver and gold, what are they?—when we give up to war our
beloved.”
Here’s a couple of pictures I took through the display case so you
can see the colors of the tea service. Pretty, isn’t it?
For more information, check out “Stolen Charleston--The
Spoils of War” by J. Grahame Long.
Very interesting, Tracy! I didn't know this. How difficult it would've been to part with such treasures knowing you'd probably never get to replace them. You'd have to really go all in, believe wholeheartedly for the war effort. I'm glad they've preserved some of these.
ReplyDeleteMe, too, Linda. I could have spent weeks in Charleston for just this kind of history.
DeleteTracy, thank you. We sometimes forget what our ancestors gave for the causes they believed in, or just to stay alive. Loved the photos and the story behind them. Doris
ReplyDeleteNeat little snippet of Civil War history. I love it. The one and only time I was in Charleston was for a union convention, and I missed visiting Fort Sumter. Wish I had seen them. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteWe decided not to take the boat ride, but the visitor center has a ton of history a some nice displays, including the actual flag that flew over Ft Sumpter. :)
DeleteTracy,
ReplyDeleteI haven't read (or watched) Gone with the Wind in years, and your article reminded me of the scene in which Scarlet donated her wedding ring to the "cause" at the war effort dance/benefit.
As Doris commented, our 'things' are just things, but we still have sentimental attachment to them. It's quite a sacrifice of the heart to give these heirlooms away, regardless of the reason.
Tracy, that is really interesting. I was reminded, too, of that scene in GWTW. And Rhett's note when he returned the rings..."P.S. Mrs. Hamilton's ring is also enclosed." LOL
ReplyDelete