Engraved A. T. B.
Charter Oak
There was a note with the partial cross. "Part of a Cross which was made for Albert T. Bishop. The wood is from the Charter Oak tree; the gold came from nuggets secured in California during the gold rush by Thomas Bishop, the father of Albert T. Bishop.
Loaned by Mrs. Roy Gilman Pavy"
Thomas was my 2nd great-granduncle, Albert my 1st cousin, 3 times removed, and Mrs. Roy Pavy my 1st cousin, 3 times removed. Both men lived in Connecticut. I obtained the cross shortly after my grandfather's death. A room was set aside to display some personal items, and even though I was the last to pick what I wanted, I was delighted with this, and the other things I took 30 years ago. All items were related to genealogy or family history.
July 25, 2012 follow-up.
While looking at The Connecticut Historical Society Bulletin (Vol. 49 winter, 1984 #1), I came across an article called, The Charter Oak Artifacts on pages 126-157. There were many photos of items made out of the Charter Oak, including a crucifix just like the above, and many other items.
New source found 8/2018.
San Francisco Ship Passenger Lists by Louis J. Rasmussen, Baltimore, Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc., 1978.
"Ship: Panama; Type: Steamer, from Panama; Captain: Bailey; Arrived: April 22, 1850 (4:00AM); Passage: 21 days from Panama; Cargo: $300,000 in coin ($62,516 of which goes to Thomas Bell)." Thomas Bishop listed as a passenger.
Thomas was my 2nd great-granduncle, Albert my 1st cousin, 3 times removed, and Mrs. Roy Pavy my 1st cousin, 3 times removed. Both men lived in Connecticut. I obtained the cross shortly after my grandfather's death. A room was set aside to display some personal items, and even though I was the last to pick what I wanted, I was delighted with this, and the other things I took 30 years ago. All items were related to genealogy or family history.
July 25, 2012 follow-up.
While looking at The Connecticut Historical Society Bulletin (Vol. 49 winter, 1984 #1), I came across an article called, The Charter Oak Artifacts on pages 126-157. There were many photos of items made out of the Charter Oak, including a crucifix just like the above, and many other items.
New source found 8/2018.
San Francisco Ship Passenger Lists by Louis J. Rasmussen, Baltimore, Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc., 1978.
"Ship: Panama; Type: Steamer, from Panama; Captain: Bailey; Arrived: April 22, 1850 (4:00AM); Passage: 21 days from Panama; Cargo: $300,000 in coin ($62,516 of which goes to Thomas Bell)." Thomas Bishop listed as a passenger.