December 2023 – Artifact of the Month

December 2023 – Artifact of the Month

1844 Ann Chase Silver Service 

On display in the US – Mexico War case in the Texas Frontier Gallery is a small silver service that seems at odds with the firearms and swords that surround it. The connection is that this five-piece set was gifted to Anna “Ann” Chase as a thank you for her bravery during the war and her actions on behalf of the United States. Read on to learn more about this artifact and the woman heralded as “The Heroine of Tampico.” 

Born in Northern Ireland in 1809, Ann McClarmonde immigrated to North America in 1824 living in Philadelphia and New Orleans before moving to Tampico, Mexico in 1836 with her older brother. While in Tampico, Ann met and eventually married Franklin Chase, the US Consul General to Tampico. The two built their life in Tampico, starting a successful merchant business, F & A Chase, of which Ann was a full partner. Their house in Tampico also doubled as the local customs house. 

With the outbreak of hostilities between the United States and Mexico in 1846, all Americans were ordered to leave the country. Ann, who still retained her British citizenship, was allowed to remain in Tampico while her husband was forced to flee. The couple placed their business holdings and property in Ann’s name to evade confiscation by the Mexican government. 

In addition to maintaining the couples’ mercantile business during the war, Ann spied on Mexican troop movements and mapped the city’s defenses, passing reports of both along to the United States Navy with the help of British soldiers. Ann was eventually suspected of espionage, but she was able to evade capture by maintaining her British loyalties and sharing false, exaggerated estimates of US troops to Mexican authorities. These exaggerated troop reports may have contributed to Mexico’s decision to withdraw from Tampico ahead of an American invasion, leading to the bloodless capture of the city. 

The five-piece silver service includes a cup, napkin ring, fork, knife and spoon. The cup is hallmarked Sheffield 1844 and has beautiful repousse work typical of fine early Victorian silver. The cup retains the original gilt interior. The King’s pattern flatware is marked with the maker’s hallmark “T&L” as well as the retailer’s mark “Bailey & Co.” The cup, napkin ring and each piece of flatware is hand engraved “FAC”. Additional monograms and inscriptions from 1911 are also present. 
 
The set is contained within a leather covered fitted case lined with blue velvet with a white silk liner for the lid that is impressed with the trademark of the retailer, Bailey & Co 136 Chestnut St., Philadelphia. (The firm was located at 136 Chestnut St between 1836 and 1851 and was the precursor of Bailey, Banks & Biddle). The set was gifted to Ann McClarmonde by the women of New Orleans.