Looking Back: ​A logo or merely a decoration?

by Marcia Napier, Grain Valley Historical Society


From table linens and bath towels to doilies and dishes, numerous household items that once belonged to Ida (Houston) and William Rockhill Nelson, were embellished with the Nelson insignia.

Was this a family crest, a logo, an emblem, or merely a pretty decoration used to personalize their belongings? I will never know. My parents never knew, nor did my grandparents, because the decoration never appeared around the livestock at Sni-A-Bar Farms.

When William Rockhill Nelson’s 30-year trust was dissolved in 1945, there were no heirs to  inherit the furnishings from the cottage at Sni-A-Bar. To complicate matters, everything had the “N” on it.  Therefore, there wasn’t much that interested the Cochels, or the Davidsons, or the Reeds. So Mrs. Francisco, the long-time treasurer of the trust, and the lawyers told my Grandfather Napier, the only “N” in the bunch, to take whatever he wanted. My grandmother once told me there were 80 to 100 place settings of the dishes. She and grandfather took 12 and gave my parents 12 (places settings). Each setting included a dinner plate, a bread-and-butter plate, a soup bowl, and a cup and saucer. Because they are well over 100 years old, many are cracked, but I can still set the table for a small dinner party. I also have a few serving pieces, stamped with Tiffany’s of New York on the bottom.

Several years ago, my father offered them to the Nelson-Atkins Museum, but they were not interested. If you are, come to the Grain Valley Historical Society and see our exhibit. 

​If the town ever builds anything on the Sni-A-Bar land, I will donate these items along with some furniture pieces. Otherwise, they will be at the Grain Valley Historical Society. Come and see our exhibit. We’re open on Wednesdays from 10 AM – 3 PM and by appointment!

Close-up of dinner plate, manufactured Phillips of London. Minton’s China.
​Photo credit: Marcia Napier

An embroidered napkin, linen Bridge cover, and underneath, a bath towel.
​Photo credit: Marcia Napier