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United States. A General Society of Mayflower Descendants Membership Badge in Gold, by Caldwell, c.1897

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Item: M0303-6

United States. A General Society of Mayflower Descendants Membership Badge in Gold, by Caldwell, c.1897

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United States. A General Society of Mayflower Descendants Membership Badge in Gold, by Caldwell, c.1897

In 14K Gold, weighing 12.3 grams inclusive of its ribbon and hanger, obverse illustrating the Pilgrim ship, Mayflower, sailing upon the waves, framed by a floral wreath, with a ribbon banner at the base inscribed "1620 PLYMOUTH 1897", reverse engraved "Theodocia Fitch Meserve 307 8325", surrounded by the inscription "GENERAL SOCIETY OF MAYFLOWER DESCENDANTS", framed by a floral wreath, with a bow-tied ribbon at the base, measuring 27 mm (w) x 30 mm (h), original ribbon suspended from a Gold hanger with pinback, extremely fine. In its hardshelled case of issue, the exterior wrapped in light brown leather and embossed with the image of the Mayflower (the ship that famously transported the first English Puritans, known today as the Pilgrims, from Plymouth, England, to the New World in 1620), inscribed "1620" above and "Mayflower" below, within an ornate border on the lid, maker marked "J.E. CALDWELL & CO. PHILADELPHIA" on the inside lid, lightly soiled white cotton medal bed, wear and light soiling evident on the leather exterior, case fine.

Footnote: The General Society of Mayflower Descendants, commonly called the Mayflower Society, is a hereditary organization of individuals who have documented their descent from one or more of the 102 passengers who arrived on the Mayflower in 1620 at what is now Plymouth, Massachusetts. The Society was founded at Plymouth in 1897. A primary goal of the Society is to educate the public about the role of the Pilgrims in the early history of what would later become the United States of America. There are Mayflowersocieties in all 50 United States, the District of Columbia, and Canada. Today, it is estimated that up to tens of millions of Americans have at least one ancestor who was among this group of early settlers.

Theodocia Elizabeth Fitch Meserve was born on September 29, 1858 in Robinson, Crawford County, Illinois, the daughter of Chester Hickock Fitch and Martha Jane Fitch (born Swearingen). She was a member of the General Society of Mayflower Descendants and married Dr. Arthur Gray Meserve (born May 6, 1854), the couple having five children. Dr Arthur Gray Meserve died on November 14, 1936, at the age of 83. His wife, Theodocia Elizabeth Fitch Meserve, died on December 12, 1951, at the age of 93. Both are buried in New Robinson Cemetery in Robinson, Crawford County, Illinois.