War of 1812 Presentation Sword belonging to Colonel George Edward Mitchell (1781-1832) baltimore or philadelphia, circa 1818

With full eagle and shield pommel above a faceted five ball guard, and carved ivory grip, imported blade retaining gilding and bluing and engraved with patriotic emblems including American eagle, Liberty with a feathered headress, and panoply of arms, accompanied by a brass mounted leather scabbard.

L: 38 3/4 in.

George Edward Mitchell was born in Elkton, Maryland, the son of Abraham Mitchell and Mary Thompson Mitchell, and studied medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, graduating in 1805. He practiced with his father in Elkton from 1806 to 1812 . Mitchell also served in the Maryland house of Delegates, 1808 and 1809 and was elected a member of the State Executive Council,1809 to 1812. He served two terms in the US House of Representatives, 1823-1827, and was instrumental in inviting Lafayette to return to the United States in 1824. He ran for governor of Maryland and lost in 1829. Mitchell then returned to the House of Representatives and died in office in 1832. He is buried in the Congressional Cemetery, Washington, DC. The papers of Col. George E. Mitchell are in the collection of the Maryland Historical Society.

Provenance: Descended in the Mitchell Family to the present owners.

The sword was presented to Col. Mitchell, a physician in the Third Maryland artillery, by the Maryland General Assembly for distinguished service during the battles of York, Fort George, Fort Nigara and Fort Oswego.