Almy Walking Stick

In August of this year I received an e-mail from England which stated "I stumbled across your web page whilst trying to do some research on a walking stick that I have. It looks as though it was made as a present in the 1800's and has an intriguing plaque on the front. (The picture on this page was enclosed.) The stick is carved mahogany shaped as a fist at the top which is holding a tooth or tusk of some description, I think maybe walrus. On the back of the carved hand is an ivory shield shaped plaque with what I think is a version of the US flag and then the words 'Capt. H. Almy, Bark, Persia'.

"I know here in England whaling vessels in the 17th - 19thC were known as 'Barques', so I thought the 'Bark' part might possibly be a variation of this.

"I know it's a long shot but I thought I'd drop you a line just in case this rang any bells! If you do know of a Capt H. Almy I'd be fascinated to know!"

It did ring a bell and I e-mailed back that I thought this walking stick belonged to Captain Holder Almy (Almy descendant No. 1239-2165) who was born in Tiverton, RI, 4 May 1830 and died 25 Sept 1887 in Norfolk, Virginia.

The obituary in a newspaper at the time of his death stated "Capt. Holder Almy, who died recently at his home in Norfolk, VA, aged 58 years, was a native of Tiverton, RI, and early entered upon a seafaring life, in which he became proficient and for many years had been accustomed to command vessels of every class."

I found out that the person who wrote me was an antique dealer in England who picked up the stick at a trade fair where it had come from a clearance.