The engraved silver pitcher presented to St. Agnes Guild by the Hampton Fire Department was purchased from Barclay and Sons Jewelers in 1922 for around $27. The engraving on the pitcher was done by Walter Burke, a member of the Hampton Fire Company.
According to the August 1922 minutes of the Hampton Fire Company, the Foreman was instructed to purchase a suitable gift for St. Agnes Guild for their “many services.” It is known that St. Agnes served the Anniversary Dinner of the Hampton Fire Company held in June 1921 at St. John’s Church. In August 1922 the city of Hampton hosted the Virginia State Fire Fighters Convention, and it can be assumed that St. Agnes again served meals at St. John’s for firemen attending the convention, for it was at the business meeting the following month that directions were given to purchase a gift for St. Agnes.
At this time the Hampton Fire Department was located on Court Street behind St. John’s.
The above information came from Claude F. Burge, Jr.
Originally published in St. John’s Epistle, December 2007.