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Civil War: Confederate Texas 14k Gold I.D.'d Badge Inscribed "S.P. Willson".. ...
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Sold on Jun 19, 2023 for:
$17,500.00
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Description
Civil War: Confederate Texas 14k Gold I.D.'d Badge Inscribed "S.P. Willson".A finely crafted solid gold badge in a star shape, each of the arms engraved with a letter spelling T E X A S. Inscribed in the center of the badge in scripted text is the name, "S. P. Willson". The badge measures 22mm at the widest spread of the star measured point to point. Results of testing indicate the badge is 14k gold. Weighs 3.6 grams.
Stephen Pelham Willson was born in New York in 1789 and became licensed to practice medicine in 1816. Dr. S. P. Willson moved to Georgia, married there, and moved on to Arkansas and Louisiana before settling in Texas with his wife. The Willison's had two sons. One of those sons, Samuel Andrew Willson, served with distinction in the Civil War. This badge is something typically worn on the hats of Confederate soldiers from Texas. The most plausible explanation for the inscription is that the badge was made by the father and gifted to the son, or bequeathed upon the father's death in 1861 or, alternatively, made and worn by Captain Samuel A. Willson and inscribed with the initials of his father as a sign of respect and admiration which was a common practice at the time.
In May 1861 Sam Willson helped organize the Woodville Rifles and served as their 1st Lieutenant until the unit assimilated into the 1st Texas Regiment as Company F in Virginia. Willson was then promoted to Captain and served on active duty in most major engagements including Sharpsburg where he was badly wounded in the arm. He missed Fredricksburg, but rejoined his command in 1863 and fought at Gettysburg. Captain Willson was taken prisoner just prior to Pickett's Charge when the 1st Texas was assaulted by Union troops. Sometime between July 7th and July 12th Willson managed to escape disguising himself as a private and rejoined his unit.
Dr. and Mrs. S. P. Willson did not survive the war, however, Captain Sam Willson did. He returned to Woodville becoming a District Judge and in 1882 was appointed to the Court of Appeals by the Governor. He was a well respected advocate for Veterans of the CSA for whom poems and accolades were written. He died in Rusk, Texas on January 24, 1892. On January 11, 2002 members of the Sons of the Confederate Veterans dedicated a grave marker for Captain Willson at the Cedar Hill Cemetery in Rusk, Texas.
Condition: The condition of the pin is extra fine. It displays beautifully and includes the original T-bar pin and C-clasp.
Auction Info
2023 June 19 Arms & Armor, Civil War & Militaria Signature® Auction #6271 (go to Auction Home page)
Auction Dates
June, 2023
19th
Monday
Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: 12
Lot Tracking Activity: N/A
Page Views: 837
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