Revolutionary War

Sons of the Revolution Medal Presented to Great Grandson of Minuteman from Lexington Alarm

A medal presented to George Franklin Hall (born 1844) of Boston, Massachusetts on October 19, 1892, symbolizing his initiation into the Society of Sons of the Revolution in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, a chapter of the Sons of the Revolution (established by 1883). Hall was the great grandson of three Revolutionary War soldiers: Sergeant Moses Hall (1759-1826), who raised the Lexington Alarm; and privates John Hill (died 1798) and Sylvanus Blanchard (1738-1800).

The specific features of the gold and enamel medal, with bicolor ribbon and lapel pin, will be described further below. On the reverse, it is engraved with a date, recipient's name, and membership identification number as 'October 19" 1892 / George Franklin Hall / 1041'. The maker's name is stamped verso as "Bailey Bank Biddle Phila." Stored in a Guild & Delano (Boston) jewelry case with custom blue velvet cushion, within a larger windowed clamshell case. A little tarnish, else near fine. The medal measures 2.5" long.

The Society of Sons of the Revolution in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts was first formed at Faneuil Hall on October 1, 1891, with 14 charter members including its first president William Leverett Chase. "Sons of the Revolution" had to be at least 21 years old and prove a direct line of descent from Revolutionary War veterans.

A 1916 register provides us with a complete description of the Sons of Revolution insignia, found in Article XIII of their Constitution:

"The Society shall have an insignia, which shall be a badge suspended from a ribbon by a ring of gold; the badge to be elliptical in form, with escalloped edges…the whole surmounted by a gold eagle, with wings displayed, inverted; on the obverse side a medallion of gold in the center…bearing on its face the figure of a soldier in Continental uniform, with musket slung; beneath, the figures 1775; the medallion surrounded by thirteen raised gold stars of five points each upon a border of dark blue enamel. On the reverse side…bearing on its face the Houdon portrait of Washington in bas-relief, encircled by the legend, 'Sons of the Revolution'…" (p. 31-32).

The medal was to be worn on the left breast during special occasions or society ceremonies. George Franklin Hall's medal matches this description exactly.

The Sons of the Revolution was founded to preserve the collective memory of the American Revolution over a century after it had ended. Hall's son Lewis Coleman Hall would also become a member of the Massachusetts chapter in 1893 (#1185).

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

WE PROVIDE IN-HOUSE SHIPPING WORLDWIDE!