Butternut Pin

Details

Descriptive Terms

pins (jewelry)
Brooch

Label

Butternut pins were worn during the Civil War by a faction of Northern Democrats called Copperheads or Butternuts who believed that the federal government did not have the right to stop a state from succeeding from the Union. The butternut was chosen because the color of some Confederate uniforms were dyed a butternut color and as a result Confederate soldiers were called "butternuts." Also, when the butternut was cut in half it showed two joined hearts which could not be separated by law or war.

Additional Identification Number

1581

Maker

Unknown

Dimensions

1 in x 1 in x 1/8 in (HxWxD) (inches)

Credit Line

Gift of Ellen A. Robbins Stone

Accession Number

1917.940

Reference Notes

For more information on the Robbins family see Simons, D. Brenton and Peter Benes, "The Art of Family: Genealogical Artifacts in New England," "Preserving a Legacy," by Jane Cayford Nylander (2002): 201-221.

Related Items

Title Wax Beads Accession Number 1917.914
Title Odd Beads Accession Number 1917.915
Title Bead Necklace Accession Number 1917.916
Title 924 - Beads for bead bags Accession Number 1917.917
Title Steel Beads Accession Number 1917.925
Title Butternut Pin Accession Number 1917.939
Title Butternut Pin Accession Number 1917.940
Title Bracelet Accession Number 1917.941
Title Bracelet Accession Number 1917.942
Title Bone comb Accession Number 1917.945
Title Chain of Beads Accession Number 1917.1041
Title Watch key Accession Number 1917.1290
Title Seal Accession Number 1917.1322 e
Title Washington pocket comb Accession Number 1921.177
Title String of Brass Beads Accession Number 1921.179
Title Hat Pin Accession Number 1928.1104
Title Shoe Buckles Accession Number 76.1918 ab
Title Crystal cuff links Accession Number 93.1918 ab
Title Paste brooch Accession Number 94.1918
Title Horn and silver back comb Accession Number 95.1918