Unidentified maker, United States
Date:
c. 1800
Maker:
Unidentified maker, United States
Materials:
Wood, deer antler, silver, brass
Marks:
Engraved on silver plaque on head of walking stick: From the grave of / Washington. / RV. to RVDW.
Provenance:
From Richard Varick (1753-1831) to his nephew Richard Varick DeWitt (1800-1868)
Credit:
Bequest of Sarah Walsh DeWitt
Accession Number:
1924.1.22
Comments:
The branch used for the walking stick was cut near the Mount Vernon grave site of George Washington. Colonel Richard Varick (1753-1831) gave it to his nephew Richard Varick DeWitt (1800-1868). George Washington appointed Varick, a New York lawyer, as his recording secretary, assigned to transcribe, organize, and file his letters, military proceedings, and other documents. The project took two years and resulted in 28 volumes. Relics such as this walking stick were popular mementos handed down through generations.
