Family Heirlooms

“Grandma, can you explain what an heirloom is?” The little girl had heard the word a few times, especially when Uncle Pearson and Aunt Maggie were around.  Apparently, the two of them with their sister Louise were always trying to figure out how to handle the various Haddock, Batchelor and Vincent heirlooms that each of them had inherited.

“Well, sugar, in the olden days, an heirloom was personal property that was part of an estate that passed to the “heir,” usually the oldest son. “Loom” meant “a tool,” so in even older days, the tool would pass to the heir.   Nowadays, it is anything that has special meaning to someone passed on to anyone, usually to another generation. Would you like to hear a story about a very special Haddock heirloom?”

Taking her pen and paper out of her purse, the little girl settled into the big red and white glider on the front porch and said, “Yes, Ma’am.” 

            The Grandmother sat next to her and began. “In 1672, your Grandfather Richard Haddock became the captain of the Earl of Sandwich's flagship, the Royal James.  Now this was a big ship with 100 guns.”

“Grandma, did you say, “Sandwich?”

“Yes, actually, I did, and I’ll explain all that later.  Don’t let me forget it, sugar,” Grandma Louise continued, smiling, knowing full well that her granddaughter had far too much curiosity to forget something like that. “Now, Captain Richard Haddock fought at the Battle of Solebay in the Dutch Wars with England.  In this battle, the Dutch had 75 ships, over 20,000 men and over 4,000 cannon. Your Grandfather Haddock was shot in the leg by a sharpshooter from one of the Dutch ships. Then while he was down below deck being treated, the Dutch ship attacked. Eventually, the Royal James went up in flames. The Earl of Sandwich drowned even though Richard Haddock tried to help him into a boat.  Your Grandfather was one of only a half-dozen survivors from his ship.”

            Grandma Louise continued, “On July 3, 1672, the Earl of Sandwich was buried in Westminster Abbey after a state funeral that started with a procession of five boats along the River Thames.  When Richard Haddock returned to London for a meeting with King Charles II, the King gave him a gift for his actions during the battle.  Charles II took a satin cap from his own head and placed it upon Haddock's. The cap was kept in the family in England, along with a note telling the story.  His father Captain William Haddock had served bravely in the first wars against the Dutch, and had received a beautiful gold medal for his services.  The family still has his medal. You see, child, these were very special heirlooms.”

            “And, Grandma, what about the Earl of Sandwich?”

            “Well, my understanding is that his great-grandson, the 4^th Earl of Sandwich, was the one who walked around on the deck of his ship eating meat and cheese between two parts of bread because he didn’t want to slow down enough to sit at a table.  The story goes that this style of eating also worked well for him at a table while playing cards, his favorite pastime.  Not exactly an heirloom, but still very interesting, don’t you think?”