Half-Gill Cup
The half-gill cup used throughout the Revolutionary War was crafted by Colonel John Robinson (1735-1805). A “gill,” which can also be described as a teacup, is equivalent to half of a US cup. During the Revolution, the government allowance for rum was approximately half a cup, with the teacup typically being filled no more than three times a day. This cup was donated by the J.V. Fletcher Library in 1983 as part of a larger collection, which became the foundation of the Museum’s exhibits.
Colonel Robinson was born in Topsfield and moved to Westford before the Revolution. He served in several important battles, including the Battle of Lexington and Concord, the Battle of Bunker Hill, and the Siege of Boston. In recognition of his contributions, the Robinson School in Westford was named in his honor.
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