Camp cups were typically made to denote military service and were often carried by high ranking officials on their military campaigns. This particular pair, taken from a larger set of twelve, was made by Richard Humphreys, who was the most well-known American silversmith of his day. Humphreys made a set of camp cups for George Washington that was contemporaneous with this set, made for General Anthony Walton White. Family lore has it that one of the camp cups from this set of twelve was used by George Washington himself.
For Further Thinking:
Oral family traditions like the one associated with the larger set of these cups can often offer important insight into historic events.
What are some of your family’s story?
What might it convey to future generations about the past?