Name/Title
Cavalry SwordDescription
Cavalry sword with scabbard.
The sword belonged to Thomas Ara Covey, born in 1841 in Batavia, New York, who settled in Hastings during his twenties. He enlisted in Co. L of the 7th Michigan Cavalry on February 28th, 1865 in Battle Creek at the age of 23 as a Private. According to enlistment records Covey was a blacksmith with blue eyes and light hair and complexion, standing 5 feet 7 inches tall. Locating Covey in the historical record was challenging due to his preferred appellation; rather than going by his given name “Thomas”, he preferred “Ary”, a shortened version of his middle name that appears on his enlistment papers and almost all other records. Covey served for approximately a year before being discharged at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas in December 1865; he was allowed to retain his revolver. After returning home he married his wife Melissa in 1873, worked on the railroads (1880 Census), and fathered 4 children: Claude Francis, George Wesley, Arthur Leone (donor’s grandfather) and Flossie Elena.Acquisition
Accession
2012.4Source or Donor
Kenneth WhiteAcquisition Method
DonationCredit Line
This gift is given in memory of Arthur L. CoveyMade/Created
Place
Location
Chicopee, MassachusettsRelationships
Related Person or Organization
Person or Organization
Covey, Thomas Ara
