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Weapons
Clothing Accessories
Clothing and Accessories
Men's Clothing ➔ Cane Sword
Identifier:
125685Description:
This cane sword, also known as a swordstick, is made of wood and has a carved knob handle with the name Rix Robinson written in red. There are metal bands throughout the shaft and it conceals a blade of 25 inches. In the 18th and 19th century, it was becoming less acceptable for men to openly carry a sword. Many men who were skilled in swordsmanship still wished to carry one for self-defense therefore, the cane sword was invented. These specialized canes allowed the weapon to stay concealed while also staying easily accessible.According to museum records, this cane sword belonged to pioneer Rix Robinson who got this cane from an early trading post near Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Date:
circa 1820 – 1875Materials:
Wood, Steel, MetalDimensions:
38.25"" h 1.5"" w ; 25"" hCurrent Location Status:
In StorageCollection Tier:
Tier 1Source:
Gift Of Dr. Edward CathcartRelated Entities:
Cathcart, Dr. Edward (donor) Rix Robinson (used by)Rix Robinson came to the mouth of the Thornapple River in 1821 as a representative of the American Fur Company. He purchased the stock and outfit of Madame Laframboise and established a very successful trading post. Renowned throughout the region for his success in trading with the Tribes, Robinson expanded his base to include a post at Grand Haven along the Lake Michigan shore.
Robinson was also involved in the negotiations of 1836 Treaty of Washington with the Odawa and Ojibwe, which ceded approximately 13,837,207 acres of land to the United States and ultimately led to Michigan's statehood in 1837. A provision in the Treaty of Washington also included a payment to Robinson. His success in trading with the Tribes and involvement in treaty negotiations is likely related to the fact that he married two Odawa women from the area, including his first wife, Miss-a-quot-o-quay, and second wife, Ziibii Kwe.
Grand Rapids historian Albert Baxter described Robinson: “He was an educated man, the first permanent white settler in Kent County, and after abandoning the fur trade, which he did and turned his attention to farming and domestic matters, he served honorably in several public positions. He was a man of commanding presence; tall, dignified and independent in bearing; and it was said of him that no white man in Michigan had more positive influence with the native Indians; that they not only loved and respected but stood in awe of him. He left a memory to be cherished and venerated by both races. Doubtless his trading boats, between 1821 in 1833, passed every year up and down this river. A monument to his memory was erected at Ada in June, 1887. (Source: Baxter, Albert. History of the City of Grand Rapids. New York in Grand Rapids: Munsell and Company, 1891.)
