Images(2)

Shoe Buckle

Dateca. 1775

MediumCopper alloy and silver (frame); iron and steel (chapes) Chapes are iron and steel; buckle is a copper alloy (brass) with silvering on the surface

DimensionsOL: 4 in; OW: 2in.

Credit LineGift of Jonathan Kern

Object number2016-212

DescriptionSilvered copper alloy shoe buckle: Oval silvered frame with rectangular faceted pattern and double rosettes centered on long sides above central axis of toung and chapes
Label TextCorporal Michael Wisler (1756-1824) was a second generation German immagrant living Chester County, Pennyslvania at the out break of the American Revolution. Family tradition holds that he wore this shoe buckle while serving in the Pennsyvlania State Rifle Regiment during his 20 months of service. Wisler saw service at the Battle of Long Island, White Plains, Trenton, Princeton, Brandywine, Germantown and mustereed out of service on January 1, 1778 at Valley Forge. His discharge survives within his pension file as proof of service.

His pension filed on April 16, 1822 reads:
"That in May 1776 he enlisted for 20 months under Captain Henry Christ who commanded a rifle company in Col. Miless Regiment of Riflemen, that he was during the time of his enlistment in several engagements of battles viz. at Flatbush on Long Island (where about one fifth of the Americans Escaped), at the White Plains, at the taking of the Hessians at Trenttown - at Princeton, at Brandywine, at Germantown, from thence marched to Valley Forge, where he was discharged on the first of January 1778, that during his service, he was wounded twice, that he is now poor and hands of need of support from his family. He has never requested any pension.

"That I am by trade a shoemaker, but am not able to work at it. That myself and wife Sophia who is 62 years old is all that my family consists of, we have six children living to wit: Lewis, Kitty, Peggy, Sally, and Nancy married and gone from us, Michael aged 19 is bound to a trade until he arrive at the age of 21 that myself and wife are to frail to earn our living by labor."

ProvenanceProvenance:
Michal Wisler (b. September 30, 1756 – d. September 14, 1824)
Lewis Wisler (b. 1780 – d. September 25, 1852)
Jacob F. Wisler (b. June 6, 1813 – d. February 27, 1902)
John B. Wisler (b. 1842 – d. 1919)
Emilie Wisler (b. 1892 – d. 1979)
Nedda Wisler Burdsall Kern (b. 1923 – d. 1999)
Jonathan K. Kern (b. 1952 – present)