🥇 BANNER SUPER RARE piece of local history

[civil_war22]

I can’t even put in to words how excited I am. Went out to that permission today Broken_detector, and I’ve been digging lots of goodies, and found a Banner worthy find. The medal I found was worn on a necklace given out to only 5 women, who were the original 5 sisters of Mercy hospital graduating in 1886. Miss Agnes Gray got this medal some 133 years ago, and I was fortunate enough to find it. The old St. Anne’s Academy is no longer there, but the main church is there. These 5 women took care of the men, women, and children of Fort Smith, AR back in a day when the population was so little they could make house calls. I have reached out to the church itself, and am hoping to get ahold of them, and returning the beloved Miss Gray’s graduation medal back home to where it began. I was born at Mercy as a child, as well as my twin, and other family. My great great uncle in the 1930’s who was Alma Town Marshall Henry Humphrey we’re brought here to be tended to by women like these. Maybe even her. I’ve highlighted in the article mentioning the first graduating class, and Miss Gray’s name. This is the biggest Banner I could ever imagine in my life, and I’ll be cheeky for years to come.

 

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[CheathamHill]

Absolutely amazing! My siblings are in Ft Smith/Van Buren and when I visit we pass the nunnery and hospital regularly. Was this found at that nun house or elsewhere? Absolutely amazing. My oldest sister works for Mercy hospital and I have heard about Sisters of mercy for many years. I am speechless

 

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[civil_war22]

Absolutely amazing! My siblings are in Ft Smith/Van Buren and when I visit we pass the nunnery and hospital regularly. Was this found at that nun house or elsewhere? Absolutely amazing. My oldest sister works for Mercy hospital and I have heard about Sisters of mercy for many years. I am speechless

It was found about 300 yards away from the new convent that’s on garrison avenue. My only guess is she lost it not long after it being issued as its in such good shape. Where the medal was found at there was a house built in around 1890 on that land and this would have been underneath the house at the time. It was a old home on natural rock foundation. I suspect that or the home itself was built for the women back in the day because it had two doors on the front like a duplex of today would. It was on house with two separate living areas. The convent was built in 1903 so some 17 years after this woman received her graduation medal. The only thing that would have possibly been there is I believe immaculate conception church, and the old school off of garrison and 13th.

 

[Steve in PA]

Lord have Mercy! That's a killer find and cool research. Congrats on the Banner. I have the Sisters of Mercy to thank for one of my all time best colonial permissions.

 

[eyemustdigtreasure]

So amazing...! Yes, Banner-worthy, AND Hon. Mention, too...!
Let us know if it gets to go home....!
Thanks!

 

[civil_war22]

So amazing...! Yes, Banner-worthy, AND Hon. Mention, too...!
Let us know if it gets to go home....!
Thanks!

I’ll for sure let everyone know. My stipulation I’ve worked out in my head with the curator is I want it to be displayed. I don’t want it just put back in a back room somewhere, and I also want recognition for finding it. That’s two things that can easily be done

 

[civil_war22]

Lord have Mercy! That's a killer find and cool research. Congrats on the Banner. I have the Sisters of Mercy to thank for one of my all time best colonial permissions.

Love the sisters of mercy gave you help as well[emoji23]

 

[creskol]

Congratulations again on a stellar find, and for making a well deserved Banner!

 

[bergie]

Not sure I saw - is this gold? Amazing find. I only recommend that you give it to them on lone to start for a couple of years and that way you can re-evaluate your thoughts on it. No rush to make something like that final. Many people make a donation and later regret that they have no recourse if they change their mind unless that place it was donated to agrees. Something to consider. Have a written agreement where you have some future rights. Always smart to have some flexibility.

 

[arrow86]

Awesome find , is it made of gold ?

 

[civil_war22]

Not sure I saw - is this gold? Amazing find. I only recommend that you give it to them on lone to start for a couple of years and that way you can re-evaluate your thoughts on it. No rush to make something like that final. Many people make a donation and later regret that they have no recourse if they change their mind unless that place it was donated to agrees. Something to consider. Have a written agreement where you have some future rights. Always smart to have some flexibility.

I’ve thought that exact same thing. That’s what I wanted to run by them. It’s silver

 

[Wildcat1750]

Well done!

 

[ANTIQUARIAN]

Congratulations on achieving your first Tnet BANNER Sir!
What an amazing find, hope you're successful in returning it to either the church or to the family.

Dave

 

[sandchip]

Exceptional! The odds of finding one of those is exactly the same as finding a 1913 V-nickle. Incredible.

 

[Hawks88]

Great story. Still in beautiful condition after all the years in the ground and YOU saved it. Congrats and well deserved banner.

 

[Wildcat1750]

Finds like this, with historic, local, and especially the personal connections are absolutely priceless! From the way you have chosen to deal with your amazing luck, the target has certainly fallen into the best hands!

 

[civil_war22]

Finds like this, with historic, local, and especially the personal connections are absolutely priceless! From the way you have chosen to deal with your amazing luck, the target has certainly fallen into the best hands!

Thank you very very much. I’m still in talks with the convent, trying to negotiate terms. It’s about the first time I’ve sort of had the upper hand when it comes to rare items, and possessing them. So we’re definitely in talks with them. Like I’ve told the curator if we’re not able to come to a mutual agreement, the item WILL not leave my possession, nor will I sell it. It’s way too personal for me

 

[Davers]

I can’t even put in to words how excited I am. Went out to that permission today Broken_detector, and I’ve been digging lots of goodies, and found a Banner worthy find. The medal I found was worn on a necklace given out to only 5 women, who were the original 5 sisters of Mercy hospital graduating in 1886. Miss Agnes Gray got this medal some 133 years ago, and I was fortunate enough to find it. The old St. Anne’s Academy is no longer there, but the main church is there. These 5 women took care of the men, women, and children of Fort Smith, AR back in a day when the population was so little they could make house calls. I have reached out to the church itself, and am hoping to get ahold of them, and returning the beloved Miss Gray’s graduation medal back home to where it began. I was born at Mercy as a child, as well as my twin, and other family. My great great uncle in the 1930’s who was Alma Town Marshall Henry Humphrey we’re brought here to be tended to by women like these. Maybe even her. I’ve highlighted in the article mentioning the first graduating class, and Miss Gray’s name. This is the biggest Banner I could ever imagine in my life, and I’ll be cheeky for years to come. View attachment 1777676 View attachment 1777675 View attachment 1777674

Super nice find , that speaks for it's self ---screaming HISTORY !

 

[West Jersey Detecting]

Great find! Congrats on the banner! Well deserved!

 

[civil_war22]

Great find! Congrats on the banner! Well deserved!

Thank you so so much. It was definitely an exciting find for sure

 

[alaskaseeker]

Well done, hope you can find a place to return this great find...