(Late 18th century)

General William Floyd's Pair of Silver and Steel Shoe Buckles and Spurs; buckles, probably American, openwork silver frame with hinged steel teeth, partial mark on side "LV"?, 1-1/2 x 3-1/4 x 2-1/2 in.; spurs - silver plate on iron, stamped "SMITH", 4-3/4 x 3-1/2 in.

Note: William Floyd (1734-1821) was born at present Mastic, Long Island on a prosperous plantation. As a result of his parents' untimely deaths William inherited the plantation from his father in 1755, and was by occupation a farmer. He became a member of the Suffolk County Militia during the early stages of the American Revolutionary War, attaining the rank of Major General. He was a delegate from New York in the First Continental Congress from 1774 to 1776, and as a member of the Second Continental Congress (1775-83) was a signer of the Declaration of Independence. He became a member of the New York State Senate (Southern District) from 1777 to 1788. In March 1789, he was elected to the 1st United States Congress under the new Constitution as an Anti-Administration candidate and served until March 3, 1791. He was a delegate to the New York State Constitutional Convention in 1801, and after moving to Westernville, New York in 1803, served again as a member of the New York State Senate in 1808. After his retirement he returned to farming and land management.

Provenance: Descended the the Floyd-Gelston Family, Long Island, New York; Northeast Auctions, Portsmouth, New Hampshire, August 16, 2014, lot 427, sold for $9,000

all pieces with typical wear for age, base metal with corrosion