May 27, 2020 Founders & Patriots
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/27/2020
A military canteen found in the Newburyport, Massachusetts area, of stave construction and made of white cedar with white oak, interlocking banding, a form in use in the Revolutionary War through War of 1812 period. This most interesting canteen, which is believed to have been earlier carried in the Revolutionary War by Aaron Jewett, has "A x Jewett, 1794" carved on one of the bands at the top, next to the centered mouthpiece of the canteen. It is 6 1/8" diameter by 3 1/4" width. One circular side or face of the canteen is missing and a 1 x 1/4" slot has been cut into one of the staves approximately 1 1/4" to the left of the mouthpiece and aligned with the closing of Jewett's name. The wife of the author of "For Liberty I Live" is a descendant of Jewett's and according to her, the family is famous for repurposing or "cobbling" (as it was known during the period) of goods: "In this case, a coin slot was added to the canteen [and used as a bank], and the money was needed, one side was bashed out...." Aaron Jewett was a trooper in Captain Moses Jewett's Ipswich Troop of Horse in 1775, later serving in Colonel Moses Little's 24th Regiment (redesignated the 12th Continental Regiment in 1776). CONDITION: less the period alteration noted above, the canteen is in very good condition, with most of the original red oxide paint on the remaining face and staves remaining, as well as its original iron wire strap retainers. JLK
Illustrated and discussed at greater length on pp. 124-125 in "For Liberty I Live."