This canteen was my Great-Great-Great-Grandfather’s when he fought in the Civil War. He was part of the New York fourteenth battery, and he fought in the battle of Gettysburg. The canteen has a part where it was patched, we believe it’s from a bullet hole, it was patched at the same place where the Liberty Bell was patched. We got this object from my grandmother, who got it from her grandfather, along with his bayonets, and knives. The canteen is important to me because it reminds me to always fight for my rights and others. It is important to me because he fought for our country's freedom, and now I want to do the same. The canteen helps me connect to my culture because it helps me remember that African Americans haven’t always been free, and we need to continue working so that they will be equal. 

– Hannah James

Relationship:  Grandchild of im/migrant Grandchild of im/migrant