A mourning ring and gold thimble associated with Mary Shippen Burd Grubb (1753-1774) 18th century

The rose gold band with woven hair and circular mount engraved with the initials "MSG," and gold thimble engraved, "M.G.S."

Dia: 7/8 in. (ring), L: 3/4 in. (thimble)

Note

Mary Shippen Burd was the daughter of Colonel James Burd (1726-1793) and Sarah Plumley Shippen Burd (1730-1784) of Shippensburg Township, Cumberland, PA. She married Peter Grubb II (1740-1786) of Lancaster in 1771. Peter and his brother Curtis owned several iron forges that contributed to the American Revolutionary War effort. Peter also served as a Colonel in the 8th Battalion of Lancaster County.

Provenance

The ring is accompanied by hand-written notes of ownership, the first note, "Peter Grubb II's ring made from his wife Mary Shippen Burd Grubb's hair 1774/ Given me by Mrs. Jos. Sailor...."; a second, "Hair ring known on the inventory of Peter Grubb II as a hoop ring- The weight is correct as given on the inventory of Peter Grubb II's poccessions- It is made from the hair of his wife Mary Shippen Burd who died in 1774.....Mrs. Sailor came in possession of the ring through Mary Parker Welsh, I am giving to my sister Daisy E. S. Morris to be given to one of her Children." Mary Shippen Burd was the daughter of Colonel James Burd (1726-1793) and Sarah Plumley Shippen Burd (1730-1784) of Shippensburg Township, Cumberland, Pennsylvania. She married Peter Grubb II (1740-1786) in 1771. (see previous lot).

The Rawle-Morris Family Collection.