5" length x 4" diameter with seven carved grooves encompassing the top and bottom of the maple wood rum canteen. Old tag reads Canteen used by Henry Taft in Revolutionary War to carry rum.
A cursory search of Revolutionary records revealed just one soldier named “Henry Taft” listed in the Index of the Roll of Honor of the DAR National Society, Vol. IV. This was minute-man Corporal Henry Taft of Worchester County who originally served in Capt. James Davis’ Company of Col. Ephraim Doolittle’s Regiment of Massachusetts State Troops. Massachusetts Soldiers & Sailors in the Revolutionary War, 1907, Vol. 15, p.348-362 shows that Taft joined on April 19, 1775 and served 11 days. Taft later was credited for five days of service in Col. Benjamin Flagg’s (1st) Regiment of Worchester (county) Militia during August 1777.
Finally, Henry Taft is confirmed as a participant in the Saratoga campaign during September-October 1777 (see saratoganygenweb.com). Taft had joined as a private in Capt. Seth Thompson’s Company for one month’s service on September 26, 1777. Thompson’s company was detached to the Northern Department under Major Asa Baldwin of Col. Samuel Denny’s (1st) Regiment of Worchester (county) Militia. Records indicate that Private Taft’s pay included expenses for eight days travel home (170 miles). No further record of Henry Taft was found.
Condition: Excellent. Expected shrinkage to the wood with age.