posted 09-17-2006 04:51 PM            

In the form of a lyre, measuring approximately 1.8 by 2.9 inches (not including the bail) and retaining most of the gilding on the sun's rays at top, leaves at bottom, and twisted-wire "strings", the engraving reads simply "HONOR" on one side, and on the other "COLUMBIAN ANACREONTIC SOCIETY" and "GEOE. R A" "RICKETTS". There is an old repaired break through the word Anacreontic. There is a hole near the bottom that shows no evidence of ever having anything mounted through it. It is unfortunately unmarked.

There is one other example of this fraternal medal known, published by Dorothy C. Barck in The New-York Historical Society Quarterly Bulletin of January 1933 with an account of the society's history. That one belonged to William Dunlap (1766-1839); if the published dimensions can be trusted it is slightly smaller than this one, but otherwise has only slight variations. According to the article, the earliest printed mention of a medal dates to 31 January 1797, but by May 1798 wearing the badges was an established custom.

The Columbian Anacreontic Society was probably formed in early 1795, and was one of the most important of several musical organizations in New York City in the late 18th century. They usually met at the Tontine Coffee House, on the corner of Wall and Water Streets, but at times they met at the City Hotel / Tontine City Tavern on the west side of Broadway just above Trinity Church. Their most notable performance was probably at the New York funeral service for George Washington on 31 December 1799. They seem to have disbanded in 1803.

Several documents of the society survive, including their Laws and Regulations published in 1800, with a list of members, and broadsides produced for the funeral. Members had to pay 15 dollars as an initiation fee and 10 dollars annually for membership -- fairly hefty sums, which may account for most of the members having been merchants and businessmen. Members included many of the elite of New York, such as John and Alexander Bleecker, Cadwallader D. Colden, Peter G. Stuyvesant, and Philip Ten Eyck.

Thus far I have not been able to find much information on George R. A. Ricketts, except that he was later the father of famous Civil War and Indian Wars General James Brewerton Ricketts (1817-1887).

Comparing the 1800 list of members to the Darling Foundation book on New York silversmiths, on the theory that perhaps a member of the society was the maker of the medals, I found only two possible matches. There is a member John C. Shaw, and a jeweler John Shaw listed as working 1764, advertising 1772 and 1777; there is a member Thomas C. Pearsall, and a listed partnership of Joseph and Thomas Pearsall, c.1765-73. But I think both are probably too early.

posted 09-17-2006 06:34 PM            

quote:

---

Anacreontic. Pertaining to Anacreon, Ionian Greek poet, or his light and graceful lyrics; hence, convivial; amatory.

---

posted 09-18-2006 04:52 PM            

Last night, after writing this up, it suddenly occurred to me that perhaps it was a relative of Pearsall or Shaw who was the silversmith, rather than one of them himself. If the two Pearsalls are related that's certainly a good connection, although of course not definitive. Thanks for checking -- your amazing database comes through again!

The medal actually turned up in a shop here in central NY, of all places, demonstrating that even in today's globalized market there is hope for great things to turn up unexpectedly in out of the way places....

posted 09-18-2006 08:44 PM            

According to a broadside published shortly after the event (now in the NY Public Library), the members of the Anacreontic and Philharmonic Societies marched in Washington's 1799 memorial procession in New York directly behind the French and British consuls. They were dressed "in complete mourning - the grand officers bearing Wands, decorated with crape - the Members wearing their Badges with crape and bows of Love Ribbon."

Among the leaders of the New York procession that day was Alexander Hamilton.

At a service in St. Paul's Church, the two societies joined in singing a lengthy funeral dirge that began as follows:

SOLO:

Sons of Columbia now lament,
Your Spear is broke, your Bow's unbent,
Your glory's fled
Amongst the Dead;
Your Hero lies
Ever, forever, clos'd his Eyes.

CHORUS:

Columbians weep! Weep still in louder moan,
Your Hero, Patriot, Friend and Father's gone!

DEAD MARCH

RECITATIVE SOLO:

The Body comes! We'll meet it on the way,
With Laurels evergreen, and branching Palm
Then lay it on his Monument, hung round
With all his trophies, and great Acts enroll'd
In Verse Heroic, or sweet Lyre song.
There shall Columbia's valiant youth resort
And from his memory inflame their breasts
To matchless valor, while they sing his praise.

FEMALE VOICES:

Bring the laurels, bring the bays;
Strew his hearse, and strew the ways,

posted 11-17-2006 08:03 AM            

quote:

---

I would like to get in contact with the moderator listed as FWG. He posted an item on 9/17/2006 in the American Silver before Sterling forum under the topic of Columbian Anacreontic Society. In it he asks for information on George R. A. Ricketts. I have information for him and would like to ask a few questions and offer more information for his research. I joined the site but am still not able to post a response to this and was wondering if it can be forwarded to his email account or if another moderator could post this in reply to his question.

I have a great deal of information pertaining to George R. A. (Robert Ashe) Ricketts. I am an undergraduate at BYU-Idaho and have been researching the life of James Brewerton Ricketts for roughly a decade. I was pleased when I found this reference to his father. I would be interested in knowing a little bit more about the history of this society, its purpose and Ricketts roll in it. I am more than willing to share all the information I have pertaining to this man. Here is some information to start:
George R. A. Ricketts married Mary Brewerton, daughter of the late James Brewerton on Wednesday, January 31, 1810 at Trinity Church, NYC. The baptismal records of Trinity Parish refer to 4 children of George and Mary. George R. A. Jr., James Brewerton and Catharine Randall (both registered as born on July 21, 1816 and baptized the same year in spite of most dates for his birth being stated as 1817) and finally Elizabeth Barrett (Feb 1 1818) she would later marry Robert L. Meade, brother of George Gordon Meade who commanded the Union Army at Gettysburg. Mary died on Tuesday February 15, 1820 at the age of 30 after "severe inflammation of the lungs" George then went alone for a while to Pensacola Florida, looking for a new start. I have a copy of a letter from him to his cousin Anne Gerry written from Pensacola shortly after Mary died. I also have the genealogy of this family traced back a bit. I have it connected back to William Ricketts of New Jersey, then to Maryland, Jamaica, England and France. I would be interested in coordinating with you on this matter. Thank you for your time. I would be happy to send you any information on this man you would like

David Case

---

FWG reply posted 11-22-2006 11:52 AM"

quote:

---

I've been traveling for a couple of weeks. You can find good information on the Society in the original publication of their bylaws, which is available on microfilm in major research libraries or through interlibrary loan, and from the Barck article I referenced in the original post. The broadside introduced by akgdc is also available on microfilm. A search of RLIN, OCLC, or the LoC catalog will show where holdings can be found.

My interests in GRAR would include things like his profession, his father's, mother's, brother's lives, professions, etc., and any details regarding his life. Your information on his wife and move to Pensacola, for example, are quite interesting. Is it known what he did from there? Even though this piece relates to his earlier life -- which I would love to know more about -- it is still interesting to see what happened to him later.

GRAR is not recorded -- that I have seen -- as having held office in the CAS, so he likely was just a member -- a singer. One wonders in what voice....

Sometime early next year I expect to be able to take a few days in NYC for research on this and other matters, so I may be able to get some more information then. Thanks for the input!

---