Images(5)

Mourning Ring

Dateca. 1754

OriginEngland (probably)

MediumGold; black enamel

Credit LineGift of Mrs. Roberta Nicholson Draves

Object number2000-167

DescriptionMourning ring, slender band of gold shaped to resemble five scrolls linked together. Inscribed "Tibither Nicholson, OB. 8 Sep. 1754, AE. 27".
InscribedInscribed: "TIBITHER / NICHOLSON / OB•8 / SEP•1754 / AE*27"
ProvenanceDescended in donor, Mrs. Roberta Nicholson Draves',family: Mrs. Draves writes: "A brief history... Grandfather, Hugh Gideon Nicholson passed the Nicholson mourning ring on to my father, Hugh Gordon Nicholson, when I was a child. When Granddaddy received the ring, I have no idea, probably shortly after it was found in 1905 (embedded in red clay on an abandoned road...in Charles City County). My father then passed it on to me. Grandfather: Hugh Gideon Nicholson, M.D. FACS was born in North Carolina on August 29, 1871. ... On April 16, 1903 was married to Roberta Coleman of Charleston, West Virginia. He died in San Diego, CA, April 12, 1948. Father: Hugh Gordon Nicholson was born in Charleston, W. VA January 29, 1907. Married Angeline Dixon of Charlestonn W. Va. October 29, 1929. He died in Glendale, CA August 7, 1971."