This item is part of A Fine Collection of American Society & Association Membership Badges. Click Here to view all items in this collection.
Three-piece construction, in 14K Gold with red, white, blue and black enamels, weighing 14.8 grams inclusive of its ribbon and pinback, maker marked "B. B & B." (Bailey, Banks & Biddle, Philadelphia) and engraved in running script "Wyman Kneeland Flint", along with a faint hand engraved number on the reverse, measuring 28.5 mm (w) x 37.7 mm (h) inclusive of its integral ring, intact enamels, on its original ribbon with pinback, extremely fine.
Footnote: The General Society of the War of 1812 is a genealogical society that was founded in 1894, as an umbrella organization for several existing societies for descendants of veterans of the War of 1812. Founded on September 14, 1814, the General Society War of 1812 traces its origins to the huge collection of American militia companies which were called to meet the British thrust at Baltimore following the occupation of the National Capital. Many of these separate state organizations came together forty years after the Battle of New Orleans, to lobby for land grants and other benefits for the veterans. Any male person above the age of twenty-one years, who participated in, or who is a lineal descendant of one who served during the War of 1812, in the army, navy, revenue-marine, or privateer service of the United States, offering proof thereof satisfactory to the State Society to which he may make application for membership, and who is of good moral character and reputation, may become a member of this Society when approved of by said State Society, under such regulations as it may make for passing upon applications for membership. Women may apply to the United States Daughters of 1812." Wyman Kneeland Flint was born on March 4, 1868, in Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin, the son of John Gardiner Flint and Frances Kneeland. He was a member of the General Society of the War of 1812 and was married to Jennie Louise Ray. The Flint Estate is a historic summer estate in Antrim, New Hampshire and consists of a collection of five buildings, some of early-to-mid 19th century origin, either brought together or built by Wyman Kneeland Flint beginning in 1913. They represent the surviving elements of the village of North Antrim, much of which was destroyed by fire in 1888. Most of the estate is now owned by the Maharishi Academy of Total Knowledge. Wyman Kneeland Flint died on June 6, 1939, at the age of 71 in Antrim Center, Hillsborough County, New Hampshire and is buried at North Branch Cemetery in Antrim, Hillsborough County, New Hampshire.