Navy Button

Royal Navy Uniform Button
S. Firmin, London, England, ca 1771-1780
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. J.P.L. Thornhill
1995.12.01

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Wind and Water

Family tradition states that this button came from the coat worn by Admiral Horatio Nelson during the Battle of the Nile on August 1, 1798. While it is not entirely possible to document the piece as actually coming from Lord Nelson's coat, the maker's mark dates the button to the 1771-1780 time period—which corresponds with Nelson's early career in the Royal Navy. Nelson became a midshipman aboard the Raisonnable in March of 1771 and by 1779 was a post captain in command of the frigate Hinchinbroke.

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