Civil War Hero's Wedding Gift Uncovered During Auction at Judge Albertson's Farm

There were thousands of collectables for sale at Judge Howard Albertson's auction last month, but it was a black, porcelain-lined water pitcher and serving plate that caught the eye of Stillwater antiques dealer Steve Reeser.

Upon a closer look, Reeser, co-owner of in downtown Stillwater, noticed the quadruple silver-plated set was detailed with peacock feathers.

“It was dark black, but I could tell it wasn’t cheap when it was made,” Reeser said. “I could only make out the letters ‘T’ and ‘Y,’ but I was interested in it because I could see the good condition of the porcelain lining—and you never see a silver water pitcher with a tray.”

So Reeser bid on the $30 lot, brought it to the shop and got to work.

He polished the heavily-tarnished antiques by hand every day for two weeks.

As Reeser broke through layers of soot, he eventually uncovered the inscription: “Presented to Adam Marty, By G.A.R. of Minneapolis, Jan. 10, 1884.”

Through research, Reeser learned Marty was a member of Company B, First Minnesota Regiment—a Civil War hero from Stillwater.

Marty was and spent eight months recovering at the Broad Street Hospital in Philadelphia before returning to Stillwater in 1864, according to firstminnesota.net. Three years later he helped form the “Last Man’s Club” with the 34 surviving members of Company B of the First Minnesota Regiment.

Marty also helped form the first fire department in Stillwater, served as post commander of the Muller G. A. R. Post in Minneapolis for six terms and was Washington County Sheriff for eight years.

Reeser knew he had something significant on his hands, but he didn’t know why the G.A.R. presented Marty with the gift. So he contacted Brent Peterson for the back-story.

Peterson passed along some information, and Reeser learned that Marty’s first wife died during childbirth; and he was married for a second time on Jan 10, 1884, to Augusta Burrow.

“It was a wedding gift,” Reeser said. “I can’t believe it.”

The Washington County Historical Society purchased the piece from Reeser, thanks to an anonymous donation.

The piece will be on display at This Love of Mine through next weekend. It will then be turned over to the Washington County Historical Society and will find a home at the .