The story of the Silver Spoon is the stuff of family legend, a saga spanning two generations and two significant wars. I had almost forgotten about this chapter of my family’s history, until Wendy Vogelgesang, current caretaker of my family home in Orinda, unearthed the evidence in a bedroom closet. She photographed the spoon and the supporting documents – which include a letter written by my maternal grandfather and a rubbing of the spoon itself with explanatory notes.
Here, for your historical viewing pleasure, is the whole story.
AgilePooch Diaries 
Dear Holly, what a wonderful story to add to your family history! thanks for sharing this….and hope you’ll have a great stay at Echo—
hugs,
Germaine
Wow, that’s amazing!
Holly – What a story! Now I see where you get your gift for storytelling. I hope you submit this for publication somewhere. We don’t get to hear stories about people with good hearts and with happy endings very often. -Susan
it is wonderful that the spoon can still have an impact, my heart is touched, thank you
The maker is T. Barker of London and the spoon is an English teaspoon in the “fiddle” pattern.
As your ancestor’s are Southern I was most intrigued that they referred to the war as the “Civil War”. Normally that term is used only by Northeners. As one heads south of the Mason Dixon it goes in descending order: “War Between the States” then “War of Northern Agression” and in the very deep South “that late great unpleasantness”.
Fascinating story and interesting comments on the use of “Civil War.” I am a transplanted Northerner, living in Lynchburg VA. I am always reminded of the difference in perspective when you travel to Appomattox where the sign proclaims “Where the Country Was Reunited.” It’s also a striking reminder of history when one thinks of soldiers walking home from the war and the distances they traveled — and the kindness of strangers.