That is so interesting. Does anyone know if the Museums around Fredericksburg have any on display?

Anita

-- [log in to unmask] wrote:
Anita said:

> I ran into a term, "Mourning" Ring, which is new to me. It was in the Will
> of one of my ancestors. Is anyone out there familiar with that term? I
> have a general idea, but may be way off base.

English and colonial people of some means often had their executors buy
rings for friends and relatives as a keepsake after their deaths. Some
rings had death's heads; some had crystals for displaying a lock of hair;
others were simple gold rings with some pattern engraved or carved. Some
later rings contained jet stones.

Often the testator mentioned a specific cost, such as 'a ring of 10
shillings price'. Some testators went on at length, listing a dozen or so
recipients. You may also find a testator bequeathing a mourning ring he or
she had received upon another person's death.

Kathleen Much

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