In celebration of America 250, we’re highlighting an item in our collection that has a surprising connection with the American Revolution. This hair wreath contains the hair of 52 members of the Whitney and Revere families – including direct descendants of Paul Revere. Paul Revere, of course, was the patriot and silversmith most famed as the subject of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s poem “Paul Revere’s Ride.”
The wreath includes flowers made from the hair of George Revere, grandson of Paul Revere, and George Bringham Revere, great-grandson of Paul Revere. These men were descended from Paul Revere III, who was the oldest son of Paul Revere and his first wife, Sarah Orne Revere.
Lucy Whitney Revere married George Bringham Revere in 1854 and had two children, Susanna and George, both of whom are reflected in this wreath. Because the wreath prominently features the hair of Lucy’s parents, Daniel and Hannah Whitney, as well as other members of the Whitney family, it is likely that Lucy is the person who created or commissioned the wreath. It was probably created between Lucy’s marriage to George B. in 1854 and her death in 1861, although it is also possible it was created by her daughter Susanna in the years immediately following Lucy’s death.
This wreath is on display in the foyer of the John Wornall House.
