Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

An historic pair of Baronet of Nova Scotia Badges awarded to the Musgrave Baronets of Hayton Castle, including General Sir Thomas Musgrave, 7th Bart., who commanded the 40th Foot at the battle of Germantown in October 1777 during the American War of Independence, and was afterwards the last British commandant of New York

(i) Baronet’s Badge of Nova Scotia, a late 18th Century badge in gold and enamels, in the form of a crowned shield of two-part riveted construction with hinged suspension loop, the plain gold reverse engraved ‘Dominus’ at crown and ‘Edwardus Musgrave de Castellis de Scalebye et Hayton Miles Baronettus Creatus 20: Octob: 1638’ on shield, 45mm x 25.7mm overall, some enamel losses to crown and top of shield, otherwise good very fine

(ii) Baronet’s Badge of Nova Scotia, an early 19th Century crowned oval badge in gold and enamels, the plain gold reverse with detailed engraving to the crown, the outer border engraved in capitals ‘fax mentis honestae gloria’ (motto of the Baronets of Nova Scotia), the oval centre plate engraved ‘Edwardus Musgrave de Castellis de Scalebye et Hayton Miles Baronettus Creatus 20: Octob: 1638’, with heavy double-loop ring suspension, 72.5mm x 35.5mm including crown and suspension, with full original wide silk neck ribbon with six sewn button holes, nearly extremely fine and of very fine quality (2) £6000-8000

The Musgrave Baronetcy was established in 1638 when King Charles I advanced Sir Edward Musgrave to the dignity of Baronet of Nova Scotia. Sir Edward was later to distinguish himself in the Royalist cause and was created Colonel by the King. He raised a regiment on behalf of the King which he financed himself and which was eventually to cost him some two thousand pounds per annum, funded by selling parts of his estates. At the battle of Worcester when Charles II had his horse shot under him, Sir Edward placed the King on his own mount, thus allowing him to escape. Following the battle Sir Edward made his own escape to Scotland where he sought refuge with the Duke of Gordon. So badly did Parliament want him taken that Cromwell informed the Duke that if he did not forthwith surrender him up he would storm his castle. However, Musgrave was allowed to escape and he fled to the Isle of Man where he remained until the restoration of the Monarchy and the eventual return of his estates and honour.

The two fine badges offered here represent the period from about 1770 to 1820 and, although unmarked, are typical of the top quality workmanship of the London firm Rundell & Bridge, and later Rundell Bridge & Rundell. It may reasonably be supposed that these badges were worn by the 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th and 10th Baronets, of whom:

Sir William Musgrave, 6th Baronet (1735-1800) succeeded his brother in 1755 and became a barrister in 1758, subsequently becoming bencher, reader and finally Treasurer of the Middle Temple. He was made a Commissioner of the Revenue in 1763 and elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1774, becoming Vice-President in 1780. He was additionally a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries in 1778, and its Vice-President in 1786. He was appointed a Trustee of the British Museum in 1783 and a Commissioner for auditing the Public Account in 1785. He died without issue on 3 January 1800 and is buried at St James’s, Westminster, where his monument can still be seen.

Sir Thomas Musgrave, 7th Baronet (1737–1812) was the sixth son and only surviving heir of Sir Richard Musgrave, 4th Baronet, of Hayton Castle, Cumberland. He entered the British Army in 1754 as an Ensign in the 3rd Buffs and quickly rose through the ranks to fulfil a distinguished army career. He commanded his regiment, the 40th Foot, in the expedition to Philadelphia in the American War of Independence, where he greatly distinguished himself at German Town, one of Earl Cornwallis's outposts in front of Philadelphia. During a surprise night attack by General George Washington on the village on 4 October 1777, Lieutenant-Colonel Musgrave, with six companies of his regiment, held a large stone house, known as Chew House, which he defended with great resolution against repeated attacks, until he was reinforced and the Americans repulsed. The losses during the action were very heavy, the casualties said to be over 600 British and 1000 American. The action was commemorated by a medal in silver and bronze, known as the ‘German Town Medal’, which was presented by Lieutenant-Colonel Musgrave to the officers and men of the 40th foot at German Town. It was later used as a regimental order of merit. Chew House is represented on the reverse of the medal, and is in the background of the noted portrait of Musgrave by Lemuel Francis Abbott. Now known as ‘Cliveden’ it survives today as a U.S. National Historic site. Musgrave later served in the West Indies and in America, and was the last British commandant of New York. He was appointed Colonel of the new 76th (or Hindustan) Regiment of Foot in 1787 and proceeded with it to India, but his hopes of command against Tipu Sultan were disappointed by Lord Cornwallis. Upon his return to England he was appointed Governor of Chelsea Hospital, and afterwards Governor of Gravesend and Tilbury. He was promoted to General in April 1802 and was still Colonel of the 76th Foot upon his death in London on 31 December 1812.

Sir James Musgrave, 8th Baronet (1752-1814) succeeded his cousin in 1812. He was a B.A. and M.A. (Oxon) and Sheriff of Gloucestershire, 1802-03. He died on 27 April 1814.

Sir James Musgrave, 9th Baronet (1785-1858) succeeded his father in 1814. A keen sportsman, aficionado of prize-fighting and a prominent member of the Quorn Hunt. He was Sheriff of Gloucestershire, 1825-26, and died unmarried on 6 December 1858.

Sir William Musgrave, 10th Baronet (1792-1875) succeeded his brother, the 9th Baronet, in 1858. He was a B.A. and M.A. (Oxon) and took Holy Orders to become Rector at Chinnor and eventually Emmington, Oxfordshire. He died unmarried on 30 September 1875, when the baronetcy finally became extinct.

To be sold with an excavated 3-pounder cannonball found near the stone house of Chief Justice Chew on the battlefield of Germantown, Pennsylvania. It is in good condition with overall pitting and a dark brown patina. With accompanying certificate and an old base metal copy of the German Town 1777 medal.