Cornelia Anna Ritch christening cup

Cornelia Anna Ritch (1847-1916) may well have been born with a silver spoon in her mouth. We know for sure that at the age of six, she had a fine looking coin silver cup in her hand.

Her great great great grandfather, Henry Ritch, was among the original settlers of Greenwich, CT, having received a grant of three acres there on May 19th, 1686. Her family has always been among the town’s leading citizens, comprising notable attorneys, quarry owners, and the first successful oyster farmers.

Ms. Ritch spent the majority of her adult years as a civilian in and around the U.S. Military academy at West Point. She worked as a clerk, and lived with her companion Mary Newlands who was Postmaster of Highlands, NY. The two women were well known and liked by many in the U.S. Army community, and frequently entertained cadets and their families in a home which Miss Newlands decorated with artwork produced by students at the Academy. Upon her passing, it was noted that “Miss Ritch, who had made her home with her friend Miss Newlands for many years, … was buried in the Old Chapel on Thursday [(September 21st)].” (Army-Navy-Air Force Register and Defense Times, Volume 60, p. 378) Though mentioned on her family's stone in Greenwich, her body rests at West Point.

Height, 4 inches to top of handle, diameter 3 inches, weight 5.32 Troy ounces, fine condition, unmarked.