Cider Mug

Details

Descriptive Terms

mugs
earthenware
silver (metal)
Mug
Mug

Label

"Cherished Possessions": After his mother's death, Colonel Newell Aldrich Thompson placed a band of silver around one of her favorite mugs, and had it inscribed “as a memento of her prudence and domestic fidelity.” By adding an engraved silver band to an everyday object, Thompson created something tangible, something he could see and touch and hold, that marked his devotion and love for his mother.
What is valued by one generation is sometimes discarded by the next. In 1923 Colonel Thompson's son somewhat apologetically offered the mug to the Society for the Preservation of New England Antiquities, writing, “this might be of interest to you as it takes up very little room.”

Inscription

Engraved in band and crest: On silver band: ""The Old Uxbridge Cider Mug"" On silver crest: ""My Mother"" Not sure if this is inscribed or simply history: ""Armele Aldrich Thompson/ Born in Uxbridge, Oct. 23,1787,/ Died in Boston, Jan. 9,1859--/ bought this mug in Uxbridge in the year 1800/ when a child of 13 and carried it home on horse-/ back, a distance of 3 miles. It was constantly/ used in her fathers family until her marriage/ in 1803 and from that time in her own family/ until her death and is now hooped/ and preserved by her Son/ as a memento of her/ prudence and domestic fidelity./ N.A.T.""

Maker

Unknown

Dimensions

6 (H), 4 1/4 (diameter) (inches)

Credit Line

Gift of Newall A. Thompson

Accession Number

1923.465

Places

Massachusetts (United States)
Boston (Suffolk county, Massachusetts)
England (United Kingdom) [country]